React Native Radio RNR 345 - Expo SDK 54
Sep 26, 2025
Discover the latest features in Expo SDK 54, including faster precompiled iOS builds and sleek Liquid Glass support for iOS icons. Dive into Android 16 targeting and the benefits of edge-to-edge default behavior. Learn about the implications of Android's new 16KB page size compliance and how it affects performance. The hosts also discuss updates to EAS, including dynamic channel headers, and the importance of Expo’s expanded autolinking for native dependencies. Plus, get the scoop on legacy architecture deprecation and enterprise readiness!
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Precompiled iOS Binaries Boost Build Speed
- Expo SDK 54 enables precompiled React Native binaries for iOS to speed up builds and reduce errors.
- Expo sets this on by default and provides a config option to build React Native from source when debugging is needed.
Use Config Toggle To Build From Source
- Toggle the Expo buildProperties config to build React Native from source when you need to debug native issues.
- Use the config switch instead of fiddling with environment variables for a smoother workflow.
Prebuilt Binaries Could Become The Norm
- Expo expects more third-party packages to ship prebuilt binaries, improving everyone's build times over time.
- More packages shipping precompiled frameworks makes non-Expo projects feel more like Expo Go setup-wise.