Seamless Expo Updates: How to Automatically Upgrade Users to the Latest App Version

For developers building with Expo, one of the sneakiest “gotchas” is how quickly outdated app versions can pile up in the wild. Users may continue running older builds long after new releases are available, leading to bug reports, missing features, and a fractured experience. This not only creates headaches for developers but also hurts customer confidence in the app.

Fortunately, Expo provides a way to bypass the App Store and Google Play update bottleneck by enabling automatic upgrades. With the right configuration, developers can ensure that users always run the latest version, instantly benefiting from new features and fixes. For businesses, this means fewer support issues, faster adoption of improvements, and a consistently polished product in the hands of every customer.

The eas-cli tool offers a really great way to make live updates to your app. Say you squash a bug and want to publish the changes to people who have your app installed. You would just run a simple Expo update. Next time they open your app, they'll see the changes reflected. But sometimes, with new packages, infrastructure changes, or just larger updates, you'll want to publish a new version through the Apple App Store and/or Google Play. It's important to keep your users on the most up-to-date version of your app. Luckily, Expo offers a way to automatically compare the app version with the latest one in the app stores called Expo Updates.

First, install the Expo Updates package:

expo install expo-updates

Then, import the package:

import * as Updates from "expo-updates"

Now you can check for updates and give the option to install them like this:

const fetchUpdate = async () => {
   const update = await Updates.checkForUpdateAsync();

   if (update.isAvailable) {
      Alert.alert(
         "Time for an Upgrade!",
         "To use the latest and greatest features, update your app.",
         [
            {
               text: "Update",
               onPress: async () => {
                   await Updates.fetchUpdateAsync();
                   await Updates.reloadAsync();
               },
               isPreferred: true,
            },
            {
               text: "Later",
            },
         ],
      );
   }
};

useEffect(() => {
   fetchUpdate();
}, []); 

Automating app updates with Expo solves a problem that frustrates both developers and end users. By embracing this approach, teams save time, reduce friction, and deliver a stronger experience across every install. For businesses, it’s more than a technical fix. It’s a competitive advantage that builds trust, improves retention, and keeps apps ready for what comes next.