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@expoFramework (OSS). Integrate Expo and React Native into an existing native iOS or Android app. Use when the user mentions brownfield, embedding React Native in a native app, AAR/XCFramework, or adding Expo to an existing Kotlin/Swift project. Covers both the isolated approach and the integrated approach.
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Framework (OSS). Integrate Expo and React Native into an existing native iOS or Android app. Use when the user mentions brownfield, embedding React Native in a native app, AAR/XCFramework, or adding Expo to an existing Kotlin/Swift project. Covers both the isolated approach and the integrated approach.
A brownfield app is an existing native iOS or Android app that adopts React Native incrementally, as opposed to a greenfield app that is React Native from day one.
Expo supports two distinct ways to add React Native to a brownfield project:
| Approach | What ships to the native app | When to choose |
|---|---|---|
| Isolated |
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| Prebuilt AAR / XCFramework |
| Native team doesn't need Node or RN tooling; RN code can live in a separate repo |
| Integrated | React Native sources added to the existing Gradle / CocoaPods build | One team owns everything; comfortable with RN tooling; wants a single build |
For the full decision matrix, see ./references/comparison.md.
Use these quick rules — fall through to comparison.md for anything ambiguous.
More information available at https://docs.expo.dev/brownfield/overview/
Both approaches require, in the environment that builds the React Native side:
The integrated approach additionally requires CocoaPods on iOS (sudo gem install cocoapods). The isolated approach does not require CocoaPods or any RN tooling in the consuming native app.
Expo SDK 55 is the minimum supported version for brownfield integration. Earlier SDKs lack expo-brownfield, the required ExpoReactHostFactory / ExpoReactNativeFactory entry points, and the current autolinking surface. When creating the Expo project, always pin the SDK explicitly:
npx create-expo-app@latest my-project --template default@sdk-55
Pin the same Expo SDK across both the RN project and any embedded dependencies.
If you encounter errors, misleading or outdated information in this skill, report it so Expo can improve:
npx --yes submit-expo-feedback@latest --category skills --subject "expo-brownfield" "<actionable feedback>"
Only submit when you have something specific and actionable to report. Include as much relevant context as possible. If an AI agent repeatedly failed or the user had to take over an Expo task, load the expo-skill-feedback skill and follow its eval-candidate flow instead of reusing the command above.
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