expo-build-deploy

Expo Build & Deploy (iOS)

EAS Build Setup

Initial configuration

# Install EAS CLI
npm install -g eas-cli

# Login to Expo account
eas login

# Initialize EAS in project
eas build:configure

This creates eas.json:

{
  "cli": {
    "version": ">= 5.0.0"
  },
  "build": {
    "development": {
      "developmentClient": true,
      "distribution": "internal",
      "ios": {
        "simulator": true
      }
    },
    "preview": {
      "distribution": "internal"
    },
    "production": {}
  },
  "submit": {
    "production": {}
  }
}

app.json iOS configuration

{
  "expo": {
    "name": "MyApp",
    "slug": "myapp",
    "version": "1.0.0",
    "scheme": "myapp",
    "ios": {
      "bundleIdentifier": "com.yourcompany.myapp",
      "buildNumber": "1",
      "supportsTablet": false,
      "infoPlist": {
        "NSCameraUsageDescription": "Take photos for your profile",
        "NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription": "Find locations near you"
      }
    }
  }
}

Build Types

Development build (for development)

# For simulator
eas build --profile development --platform ios

# For physical device
eas build --profile development --platform ios --local

Use with npx expo start --dev-client

Preview build (internal testing)

eas build --profile preview --platform ios

Distributes via ad-hoc provisioning. Testers install via link.

Production build (App Store)

eas build --profile production --platform ios

Credentials Management

EAS manages credentials automatically, but you can control them:

# View current credentials
eas credentials

# Let EAS manage everything (recommended)
# Just run build, it handles certificates

# Use existing credentials
eas credentials --platform ios
# Select "Use existing" and provide paths

Manual credential setup (if needed)

1. Create App ID in Apple Developer Portal
2. Create Distribution Certificate
3. Create Provisioning Profile
4. Configure in eas.json:

{
  "build": {
    "production": {
      "ios": {
        "credentialsSource": "local"
      }
    }
  }
}

Environment Variables

In eas.json

{
  "build": {
    "production": {
      "env": {
        "API_URL": "https://api.yourapp.com"
      }
    },
    "preview": {
      "env": {
        "API_URL": "https://staging-api.yourapp.com"
      }
    }
  }
}

Secrets (sensitive values)