React Native with Expo
React Native lets you build genuine native iOS and Android apps using JavaScript and React. Expo eliminates the native toolchain entirely — no Xcode project management, no Android Studio Gradle setup — so you can go from zero to running on a real device in under 10 minutes. This course covers everything from first app to App Store submission: navigation, styling, native components, push notifications, and EAS build and submit.
What you will learn
Course outline
Free — no account needed
React Native vs the Web
What is different, what is the same, and the mental model shift from HTML to native UI primitives
Expo Setup and First App
From zero to a running app on your real device in under 10 minutes
Navigation with Expo Router
File-based navigation for React Native — the same mental model as Next.js, but for native screens
Full course — $79 one-time
Styling with StyleSheet and NativeWind
Master StyleSheet for native CSS-like styling, then add Tailwind utility classes with NativeWind
Native UI Components
ScrollView, FlatList, Modal, and the native components that make apps feel genuinely native
Data Fetching and Local State
Fetch data from your API, cache it intelligently, and manage offline state in a React Native app
Push Notifications with Expo
Send push notifications to iOS and Android with Expo's unified API — no APNs or FCM setup required
App Icons, Splash Screen, and Metadata
Configure your app's identity — icons, splash screen, permissions, and app store metadata
Building and Submitting with EAS
Compile your app for the App Store and Play Store in the cloud — no Mac required for iOS
Publishing OTA Updates
Ship JavaScript-only updates to users instantly — without waiting for App Store review
Get the full course
All 10 lessons — from your first component to a published app store listing. Lifetime access.
Written by the RadarTrek editorial team · Reviewed June 2026
About this course
React Native with Expo is the fastest path from web development skills to shipping iOS and Android apps. Expo provides a managed workflow that handles native build configuration, over-the-air updates, and access to device hardware through a consistent JavaScript API. Learning React Native with Expo means understanding how mobile UI differs from web, how to use Expo's component and API library, how to handle navigation, and how to build and submit apps to the App Store and Google Play.
React Native skills let web developers ship native mobile apps without learning Swift or Kotlin. After this course you will be able to scaffold an Expo project, build screens using React Native's layout system, implement navigation with Expo Router, access device hardware (camera, notifications, location), build a production binary, and submit an app to both app stores.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between React Native and Expo?
React Native is the core framework for building mobile apps with JavaScript and React. Expo is a platform built on top of React Native that provides: a managed build service (no Xcode or Android Studio required), an over-the-air update system, a library of pre-built native modules (camera, notifications, biometrics), and a hosted development environment. Expo is the recommended way to build new React Native apps for most developers.
Can I use my React web skills in React Native?
Yes and no. React concepts (components, hooks, state, context) transfer directly. Styling uses a React Native stylesheet API that resembles CSS but does not use actual CSS — no class names, no cascade. Layout uses Flexbox by default. There are no DOM elements — instead of `<div>` and `<p>`, you use `<View>` and `<Text>`. Web libraries that touch the DOM or use browser APIs will not work in React Native.
What is Expo Router?
Expo Router is a file-system-based router for React Native — the mobile equivalent of Next.js pages. Create a file at `app/profile.tsx` and it becomes the `/profile` screen. Nested folders create nested navigation. Expo Router handles deep linking, tab navigation, and stack navigation. If you know Next.js App Router, the concepts transfer directly.
How do I build and submit an app to the App Store?
With Expo Application Services (EAS), you run `eas build` to produce a production binary (IPA for iOS, APK/AAB for Android) in the cloud without needing a Mac for iOS builds. EAS Build handles code signing automatically. Submit to the stores with `eas submit`. You still need Apple Developer ($99/year) and Google Play Console ($25 one-time) accounts. The submission review process takes 1–3 days for the App Store and hours for Google Play.
What is over-the-air update and why does it matter?
OTA updates let you push JavaScript changes to installed apps without a store review. With Expo Updates, you publish a new bundle with `eas update` and users receive it the next time they open the app. OTA only works for JavaScript changes — native module changes still require a full store submission. For bug fixes and content changes, OTA dramatically shortens the feedback loop compared to waiting 1–3 days for App Store review.