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Create simulator builds for your Expo React Native app.

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Prerequisites

# Install required tools
npm install -g @expo/cli eas-cli

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Setup

Initialize EAS Build in your project: 
cd /path/to/your-expo-project
eas build:configure
This creates eas.json in your project root.

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iOS Simulator Build

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1. Configure Profile

Add iOS simulator profile to eas.json: 
{
  "build": {
    "ios-simulator": {
      "ios": {
        "simulator": true
      }
    }
  }
}

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2. Build

eas build -p ios --profile ios-simulator

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3. Download

EAS outputs a download link: 
✔ Build finished
🍎 https://expo.dev/artifacts/eas/abc123.tar.gz
Download and extract the .tar.gz file to get your .app.

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4. Verify

Test before uploading:
  1. Open iOS Simulator
  2. Drag .app file onto simulator
  3. App should install and launch

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Android Emulator Build

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1. Configure Profile

Add Android profile to eas.json: 
{
  "build": {
    "android-emulator": {
      "android": {
        "buildType": "apk"
      }
    }
  }
}

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2. Build

eas build -p android --profile android-emulator

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3. Download

✔ Build finished
🤖 https://expo.dev/artifacts/eas/xyz789.apk
Download the .apk file directly.

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4. Verify

Test before uploading: 
# Start emulator, then install
adb install your-app.apk

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Build Both Platforms

Create a combined profile: 
{
  "build": {
    "simulator-builds": {
      "ios": { "simulator": true },
      "android": { "buildType": "apk" }
    }
  }
}
Build both: 
eas build --platform all --profile simulator-builds

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Upload to Revyl

  1. Go to Builds page
  2. Click Upload Build
  3. Select platform
  4. Upload .app (iOS) or .apk (Android)
  5. Done!

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Authenticated Test States

To skip login screens in Revyl cloud-agent runs and repeatable tests, add a test-only auth-bypass deep link handler to your Expo root layout. For Expo development clients, start the project through revyl dev --tunnel --launch-var, then open the app-specific auth link with revyl device navigate; YAML navigate steps can use the same link once the session is running. See Auth Bypass Deep Links for the Expo Router snippet, the CLI-first Expo flow, and the Bug Bazaar sample.

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Troubleshooting

  • Check EAS build credits
  • Verify package.json dependencies
  • Review logs in EAS dashboard
  • Validate eas.json syntax
  • Extract .tar.gz completely
  • Drag .app file itself, not folder
  • Check simulator iOS version compatibility
  • Restart simulator
  • Check emulator is running: adb devices
  • Force reinstall: adb install -r your-app.apk
  • Clear emulator storage if full
  • Re-download if file corrupted

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