expo-updates

What is expo-updates?

The expo-updates package allows you to manage and deploy updates to your Expo app over-the-air (OTA). This means you can push updates to your app without requiring users to download a new version from the app store.

What are expo-updates's main functionalities?

Check for Updates

This feature allows you to check if there is a new update available for your app. If an update is available, you can notify the user or proceed to download it.

import * as Updates from 'expo-updates';

async function checkForUpdates() {
  const update = await Updates.checkForUpdateAsync();
  if (update.isAvailable) {
    // Update is available, you can notify the user or download it
  }
}

Fetch and Apply Updates

This feature allows you to fetch the latest update and apply it. If a new update is fetched, the app will reload to apply the update.

import * as Updates from 'expo-updates';

async function fetchAndApplyUpdates() {
  const update = await Updates.fetchUpdateAsync();
  if (update.isNew) {
    await Updates.reloadAsync(); // This will reload the app with the new update
  }
}

Event Listeners for Updates

This feature allows you to listen for update-related events, such as when an update has been downloaded. You can handle these events to provide a better user experience.

import * as Updates from 'expo-updates';
import { EventEmitter } from 'expo-modules-core';

const eventEmitter = new EventEmitter(Updates);

const subscription = eventEmitter.addListener('Expo.updates.updateDownloaded', (event) => {
  // Handle the update downloaded event
  console.log('Update downloaded:', event);
});

// Remember to remove the listener when it's no longer needed
subscription.remove();

Other packages similar to expo-updates

react-native-code-push

React Native CodePush is a similar package that allows you to push updates to your React Native app over-the-air. It integrates with Microsoft's CodePush service and provides similar functionalities like checking for updates, downloading updates, and applying updates. Compared to expo-updates, it requires additional setup and configuration but offers more control and flexibility.

rn-update-apk

The rn-update-apk package is used for updating Android apps by downloading and installing APK files. It is more suitable for apps that need to update the entire APK rather than just JavaScript bundles. Unlike expo-updates, it is platform-specific and does not support iOS.

README

The expo-updates module enables your app to manage remote updates to your application code.

This module works with a server that implements the Expo Update protocol.

The EAS Update hosted service implements this protocol.

To build a custom server that implements the protocol, see the example server source code here.

Important documentation links

• Getting started
• How EAS Update works
• Debugging
• Migration from Classic Updates
• Updates JS API

Installation in bare React Native projects

Learn how to install expo-updates in your project in the Installing expo-updates documentation page.