Ensure emulator is running

Run this from your Expo (React Native) root directory:

npx expo run:android

this creates the native ./android directory

Live Reloading (default)

Debug build with real-time updates is installed automatically on emulator.

Test release variant of development build

To simulate a release-mode dev build, first remove the native Android directory and reinit:

rm -rf android

npx expo run:android --variant release

APK Output: android/app/build/outputs/apk/release/app-release.apk

Run release prebuild

Prepare a release-ready native project:

npx expo prebuild --clean

Automatically cleans up previous android and ios builds and builds again afresh.

Optionally -> Manualy clean up previous builds

To begin production builds, first remove the native /android and (optionaly) /ios directory:

rm -rf android

rm -rf ios

npx expo prebuild

Clean and recreate builds (Manually)

Use this part if there were settings customized on development Clean old builds

Remove previously generated APKs:

cd android

./gradlew clean

This cleans all builds made previously while maintainig originally customized code.

Generate Keystore

From the terminal: on /android

cd app

keytool -genkeypair -v -keystore my-upload-key.keystore -alias my-key-alias -keyalg RSA -keysize 2048 -validity 10000

ensure the file in android/app.

Edit android/gradle.properties

Add the following lines:

MYAPP_UPLOAD_STORE_FILE=my-upload-key.keystore
MYAPP_UPLOAD_KEY_ALIAS=my-key-alias
MYAPP_UPLOAD_STORE_PASSWORD=your-store-password
MYAPP_UPLOAD_KEY_PASSWORD=your-key-password

Edit android/app/build.gradle

Add signing config blocks:

signingConfigs {
    release {
        if (project.hasProperty('MYAPP_UPLOAD_STORE_FILE')) {
            storeFile file(MYAPP_UPLOAD_STORE_FILE)
            storePassword MYAPP_UPLOAD_STORE_PASSWORD
            keyAlias MYAPP_UPLOAD_KEY_ALIAS
            keyPassword MYAPP_UPLOAD_KEY_PASSWORD
        }
    }
}

buildTypes {
    release {
        signingConfig signingConfigs.release
    }
}

Optional: SDK Version Setup

buildscript {
    ext {
        minSdkVersion = 24
        compileSdkVersion = 35
        targetSdkVersion = 29
    }
}

This will help customize bundling of your build to target most devices.

Build AAB (Play Store)

./gradlew bundleRelease

Output: android/app/build/outputs/bundle/release/app-release.aab

Build APK (Direct Install)

./gradlew assembleRelease

Output: android/app/build/outputs/apk/release/app-release.apk