Does Bolt integrate with Expo?
Partially — builds in Bolt, but EAS builds and store submission are local
Partially. Bolt automatically uses Expo to build cross-platform mobile apps and lets you preview them in Expo Go. But the production EAS builds and app-store submission happen outside Bolt — you download the code and run the EAS CLI locally with paid Apple and Google developer accounts. So the build is in scope; store delivery is not.
| Integration method | Native (built-in) — Bolt automatically uses Expo when you ask it to build a mobile app, producing a cross-platform (iOS/Android/web) Expo project. No middleware (Zapier, Make, MCP) is required. However, the production build and app-store submission steps happen outside Bolt using the EAS CLI on your own machine. |
|---|---|
| Sync direction | One-way: you build and edit in Bolt, then download the project code and run EAS CLI builds and submissions locally. Changes do not flow back from EAS into Bolt. |
| Plan required | No specific Bolt tier is documented for Expo. Testing with Expo Go is free; publishing to the stores requires paid Apple Developer and Google Play Developer accounts, plus an Expo account. |
| Setup time | ~30 minutes unverified estimate |
How to connect Bolt to Expo
- Ask Bolt to create a mobile app, mentioning "mobile app" in your initial prompt so it scaffolds an Expo project.
- Use the "Device Preview" icon to test on a device with Expo Go by scanning the QR code.
- Install Node.js LTS, Git and the EAS CLI, and create an Expo account.
- Download the project code from Bolt and run "eas init" and "eas build:configure" locally.
- Run the EAS build/submit commands (e.g. "eas build --platform ios --auto-submit"); store distribution needs paid Apple Developer and Google Play accounts.
Known friction points
- EAS production builds and app-store submission must be run locally via the EAS CLI after downloading the code; they cannot be completed inside Bolt. [source]
- Projects created for web do not easily switch over to mobile, and the project slug cannot be changed after the first build is created. [source]
FAQ
- Does Bolt integrate with Expo?
- Partially. Bolt automatically uses Expo to build cross-platform mobile apps and lets you preview them in Expo Go. But the production EAS builds and app-store submission happen outside Bolt, run locally with the EAS CLI.
- Can I publish to the App Store directly from Bolt?
- No. You download the project code and run EAS CLI builds and submissions on your own machine. Store distribution requires paid Apple Developer and Google Play Developer accounts.
- Do I need to mention mobile when starting a Bolt project?
- Yes. Mention "mobile app" in your initial prompt so Bolt scaffolds an Expo project. Web-first projects do not easily convert to mobile afterward.
✓ Last verified: 2026-06-10 · Every claim on this page links to a primary source. If the integration changed, the page is out of date — check the sources below.
Sources
- Bolt support — Expo integration (accessed 2026-06-10)