How to Gradually Migrate From React Native Community CLI to Expo
Featuring
Thinking about moving your React Native Community CLI app to Expo, but not sure how to do it without breaking things? This webinar is for you.
Join Mike Grabowski (Callstack) and Keith Kurak (Expo) for a developer-first walkthrough of how to incrementally adopt Expo. You’ll learn how to introduce Expo’s tooling and libraries into your existing RNC CLI app without a full rewrite, and why many teams are taking this path for better dev experience, native build tooling, and faster iteration.
What is Expo and why consider a framework?
Expo is a production-grade open-source framework built on top of React Native that offers a cohesive suite of tools, libraries, and services—such as Expo SDK, CLI, EAS Build, OTA updates, and config plugins—to simplify cross-platform app development. It abstracts common tasks like navigation, native-code upgrades, dependency management, and build pipelines, enabling developers to focus on app features rather than tooling.
At React Conf in 2024, the React Native team updated its guidance: "Using React Native frameworks, such as Expo, is now the recommended approach to create new apps". The rationale is simple: if you don't adopt an existing framework, you'd essentially end up building your own.
Why is Expo increasingly chosen by the community?
Modern capabilities for complex projects
Earlier concerns, such as Expo being “only for beginners”, have faded. Now with Expo Modules API, Custom Dev Clients, and config plugins, Expo supports sophisticated native integrations, high-performance needs (Fabric, TurboModules), and complex customization.
Streamlined native build and CI/CD workflows
Expo’s EAS Build offers cloud-based native builds, removing the need to manage local toolchains, Xcode or Android Studio. Teams also benefit from OTA updates to deliver JS fixes instantly between store releases.
Consistent, high-quality SDK components
The Expo SDK delivers well-maintained, curated native APIs (camera, notifications, sensors). It ensures API consistency and reduces dependency issues common in bare RN projects.
What you'll learn in this session
- The specific advantages Expo brings to React Native apps in 2025
- How to begin by integrating a single Expo module, then scale up
- The right time to adopt Expo features like EAS Build, Updates, or Expo Router
- What to avoid during the migration for maximum efficiency
Expect practical examples, adoption strategies, and clarity on why Expo is a compelling toolchain for React Native today.
Resources
Check out the resources mentioned during the webinar to explore the topic further:
