Keep your Expo SDK updated for project success

Expo is a cornerstone in mobile development, offering a flexible framework that streamlines the process, expedites the development cycle, and empowers developers to craft top-tier, cross-platform applications using JavaScript and React. Amidst the dynamic terrain of mobile application development, the Expo team diligently updates its SDK quarterly. Integrating the SDK into your app transcends being a mere option; it's imperative. But what makes it essential to stay up-to-date with the cutting-edge advancements from the Expo team?

Every iteration of the Expo SDK caters to a minimum OS version for both Android and iOS. The Native platforms undergo constant enhancements, introducing new features, rectifying bugs, and phasing out obsolete functionality. Expo ensures that your application supports and efficiently manages these latest constraints (such as Android's compileSdkVersion), guaranteeing you can be built, submitted, and run flawlessly on the most recent devices.

Check here which are the latest versions supported by the latest Expo SDK.

Maintaining pace with the most recent React Native version

Packages encompassed in the Expo SDK are designed to accommodate the target React Native version specific to that SDK. Upon the release of a fresh React Native version, the most recent iterations of the Expo SDK packages are typically upgraded to extend their support. This presents the advantage of leveraging the cutting-edge features and rectifications of React Native itself.

Click here to see the latest version of React-Native (and React-Native for Web) supported by the latest Expo SDK.

Leveraging the newest Expo features

Every version of the Expo SDK is akin to a treasure trove. It consistently introduces new features and refines existing ones, thereby streamlining your journey as an Expo developer and enhancing efficiency. The Expo team rolls out features at an impressive pace, and it would be unfortunate for your application to miss out on these state-of-the-art advancements.

Read: "An Updated Developer's Guide to Taming Expo’s Environmental Variables (in Expo SDK v49)".

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Rectifications, Enhancements, and Security Upgrades

Updates typically encompass a spectrum of solutions for identified bugs in addition to improvements. These modifications invariably bolster your application's stability and performance, enhancing its overall quality.

Retroactive Compatibility 

Expo upholds approximately six months of retroactive compatibility. Given the rapid pace of advancements, upgrading to the most recent version is prudent, ensuring you complete all of the versions between your upgrades. The upgrade process may necessitate manual interventions and code modifications; hence, upgrading one version at a time is always advisable for a smoother experience. Attempting to upgrade multiple versions simultaneously is typically unsuccessful and is not recommended. 

In mobile app development, where innovation is constant, keeping your Expo SDK up-to-date is not just a best practice—it's a strategic move to ensure your app remains at the forefront of the industry. 

To stay informed about the latest and forthcoming Expo SDK updates, keep an eye on this page.