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Apps are the new websites, and everyone should be able to create them. By combining Replit’s browser-based development environment with Expo, mobile app creation is now as simple as building a website.
This tutorial will guide you through creating a mobile app using Replit and Expo in the Project Editor at replit.com, from setting up your environment to previewing your app on your device.
Watch Replit’s two-part video series to learn how to create and preview a mobile app using Replit and Expo.

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Part 1: Create a mobile app in five minutes

Learn how to create a native iPhone/Android app using Replit and Expo in just five minutes - perfect for beginners.

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Getting started with Replit and Expo

1

Prerequisites

Before getting started, you’ll need:
  • A Replit account (free)
  • Expo Go app installed on your mobile device
  • An Expo EAS account (free)
For App Store or Google Play submission later, you’ll need:
2

Remix the Template

Start by visiting the Expo Template on Replit and selecting “Remix” to create your own copy. This creates a complete copy of the Template in your Replit account, including all the files, configurations, and dependencies.
3

Run the Template

Select the “Run” button in the Project Editor. The Console will display a QR code that links the Expo Go app to your Replit project.
4

Preview on your device

Open the Expo Go app on your phone and scan the QR code displayed in the Project Editor. This will load your app directly on your phone. It may take a minute or two for the project to compile.
Expo uses React Native to help you build apps for iOS, Android, and the web from a single codebase. This means you can build an app once and have it available on all platforms.
The democratization of mobile development through Replit and Expo makes app creation accessible to everyone, not just professional developers.

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Customizing your app with Agent

1

Choose your AI tool

Use Agent to build your Expo app:
  • Build mode: Best for complex features and major changes. The Expo template uses General Agent, which supports any framework.
  • Lite mode: Best for smaller changes and code explanations.
  • Plan mode: Best for planning and brainstorming.
2

Use natural language to build your app

Describe what you want your app to do in natural language. For example, you might ask: “Create an app that shows me a random image of a cat every time I press a button.”
3

Iterate in the Project Editor

Continue developing your native mobile app in the Project Editor at replit.com. Save your changes, then reload Expo Go to preview updates on your phone.
Want to build a mobile app from scratch with Agent? Check out Building Mobile Apps with Agent to learn about creating Expo React Native apps directly from the Replit homepage.

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Part 2: Preview your mobile app

Learn how to create an iOS preview build for your Replit Expo app.

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Create a preview build for your device

While this guide focuses on iOS deployment, the same Replit and Expo steps apply to Android development. For Android, follow the Expo Android deployment guide and Google Play Console process.
1

Prerequisites

Before creating an iOS preview build, you’ll need:Note: After setting up your Apple Developer account, you may need to wait 16-24 hours for Apple to approve your profile.
2

Initialize EAS

EAS (Expo Application Services) acts as the interface between your build and Expo, as well as the App Store.
  1. Stop your app if it’s running
  2. From the dropdown menu in the Project Editor, select “EAS init”
  3. Log in to your Expo account when prompted
  4. Create a new project or select an existing one
This step authenticates your application with your Expo account.
3

Run EAS update

This initialization step helps configure your project and link it to your Apple Developer account.
  1. From the dropdown menu, select “EAS update”
  2. Wait for the Metro bundler to start and complete the export process
You’ll know this step is successful when you see that bundles have been uploaded and a branch has been created.
4

Build for iOS

Now it’s time to create a preview build for your iOS device.
  1. From the dropdown menu, select “EAS publish preview iOS”
  2. Enter an iOS bundle identifier (e.g., com.yourname.yourappname)
  3. Log in to your App Store Connect account when prompted
  4. Select your individual developer team
  5. Generate the device distribution certificates when asked
Learn more about iOS certificates and provisioning profiles.
5

Register your device

To install development apps on your iPhone, you need to register your device.
  1. When prompted, select “website” to register your device
  2. Scan the QR code that appears with your iPhone
  3. Download the development profile when prompted
  4. Go to Settings on your iPhone
  5. Select “Profile Downloaded” at the top
  6. Install the profile and enter your passcode when prompted
  7. Go back to the Project Editor and press any key to continue
6

Wait for the build

Expo will now build your app, which takes about 10-15 minutes depending on the complexity of your application.
  1. The build will be queued
  2. You can check progress in your Expo dashboard under the “Builds” tab
  3. Once complete, a new QR code will appear for installing the app
7

Install the preview build on your device

When the preview build is complete, install it on your iPhone.
  1. Scan the installation QR code with your iPhone
  2. Select “Install” when prompted
  3. The preview build will begin installing on your home screen
8

Enable developer mode

Before you can open the app, you need to enable developer mode on your iPhone.
  1. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security
  2. Scroll to the bottom and find “Developer Mode”
  3. Toggle it on
  4. Restart your device when prompted
  5. After restarting, you can open and test your preview build.

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What you’ve accomplished

By following this tutorial, you now have an iOS preview build installed on your device for development testing. Most developers would need days or weeks to achieve this, but you’ve done it in about an hour.
After completing this tutorial, you can:

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Common issues and solutions

  • Try reloading the app (shake device and select “Reload”)
  • Ensure you’ve saved your changes in the Project Editor
  • Check the Console for any errors
  • Review Expo’s development mode documentation

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Conclusion

With Replit and Expo, building mobile apps has never been easier or faster. You can go from idea to a working native mobile preview in a matter of hours, not weeks or months. The combination of browser-based development and a cross-platform mobile framework removes traditional barriers to entry for mobile development.
For more detailed information, check out: