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Mobile app running in the Replit Workspace preview with the Preview on device panel and QR code

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What are native mobile apps?

Mobile apps are applications you install on a phone or tablet. They run outside the browser and can use device features such as the camera, notifications, haptics, and offline storage. Behind the scenes, Replit uses Expo and React Native to power your mobile app experience—from previews to publishing.

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Why build a mobile app?

Build a mobile app when you want:
  • A native experience: Fast performance, smooth interactions, and platform-native UI.
  • Device capabilities: Camera, push notifications, location, and more.
  • App Store distribution: A shareable listing that people can discover and install.
Build iOS and Android apps with Agent, preview them on your phone, and publish through a guided flow—without setting up local toolchains.
  • Create a Mobile app from a prompt
  • Run a native preview on your device with Expo Go
  • Publish to TestFlight and submit to the App Store when you’re ready

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How it works

At a high level:
  • You describe what you want to build, and Agent generates your project.
  • You iterate in your Workspace with a live preview.
  • You open a native preview on your phone with Expo Go.
  • When you’re ready to distribute, you publish through a guided flow that starts with TestFlight.

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Key features

  • AI-first creation: Describe your app, and Agent scaffolds a working mobile app.
  • Device preview: Test on your phone with Expo Go for a native experience.
  • Full-stack by default: Add server routes, a Database, App Storage, Connectors, and AI integrations as your app grows.
  • Guided publishing: Publish to App Store and submit builds without managing local iOS toolchains.

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Getting started

You can get to a working mobile app in a few steps:
1

Create a mobile app

On the Replit home screen, describe your app idea and select Mobile app as the app type.
Replit home screen prompt with Mobile app selected as the app type
2

Test on your phone

Install Expo Go on your phone, then open a native preview:
  • Desktop: In your Workspace, select Preview on mobile device, then scan the QR code shown next to the preview.
  • Mobile: In the Replit Mobile App, tap Open in Expo Go at the top of the preview.
Replit Workspace showing the app preview and the Preview on mobile device option
3

Iterate with Agent

Ask Agent to add features, connect data sources, or integrate services. Keep testing on your phone as you iterate.
To publish to TestFlight and submit to the App Store, Apple requires an Apple Developer Program membership.

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Publishing overview

When you publish for iOS, the flow typically goes:
  • Publish from your Workspace
  • Submit a build to TestFlight
  • Promote a TestFlight build to the App Store in App Store Connect

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Considerations

  • Publishing requirements: Apple sets the requirements for TestFlight and the App Store.
  • Android publishing: You can build cross-platform apps for iOS and Android. Publishing to Google Play is not supported through a guided experience yet, but can be accomplished manually.
  • Native changes: Changes like app icons or permissions usually require a new store build.

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Next steps

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FAQs

Expo is what the Agent uses to build your mobile App on Replit. It is an open‑source platform and toolchain for building, running, and deploying cross‑platform native apps with React Native. Learn more at https://expo.dev.
React Native is an open-source framework from Meta for building native iOS and Android apps using React and JavaScript or TypeScript. It renders platform-native UI components (not a webview), so your app looks and feels native.
A mobile‑responsive web app is a website that adapts its layout in the browser. A React Native app is a native application installed on the device that uses platform APIs (camera, haptics, push notifications), offers better access to hardware and offline capabilities, and is distributed via app stores. Responsive web can be great for reach and zero‑install; native is best when you need device features, performance, or App Store distribution.
No. Replit and Expo manage the build process for you in the cloud.
Yes. You can preview with Expo Go. You only need an Apple Developer account when you’re ready to publish to TestFlight or the App Store.
You can build cross-platform apps for iOS and Android. You can publish to Google Play manually.
Use Replit’s built-in PostgreSQL, Object Storage, Connectors, and AI integrations—no separate infrastructure required.
Try refreshing your app in Expo. On your device, shake the phone to open the developer menu, then tap Refresh.