Expo Managed vs Bare Workflow: Which Should You Use in 2026?

The Question Every React Native Developer Asks in 2026

When you start a new React Native project with Expo, you choose between Managed Workflow and Bare Workflow. This single decision affects your entire development experience.

Expo Managed Workflow

In Managed Workflow, Expo handles all native iOS and Android code for you. You never open Xcode. You never touch Android Studio. You write JavaScript and React. Expo handles the rest.

Advantages: Extremely fast setup. Over-the-air updates with EAS Update. EAS Build handles cloud builds for both platforms. Massive SDK with camera, maps, notifications and biometrics built in.

Limitations: You are limited to what the Expo SDK provides.

Best for: 90 percent of apps — social apps, e-commerce, educational apps, tools and dashboards.

Expo Bare Workflow

In Bare Workflow, you have full access to the native iOS and Android code. You can install any native library and write custom native modules in Swift, Kotlin or C++.

Advantages: Total flexibility. Any native library works. Full control over app behaviour.

Limitations: You manage native builds yourself. Setup takes much longer.

Best for: Apps that need Bluetooth Low Energy, custom hardware integrations, or highly specific native features.

What Changed in 2026: EAS Makes Managed Even Better

EAS has completely changed the game. Even Managed Workflow projects can now use custom native modules through Config Plugins and build production-ready apps for both stores without touching native code.

Master Rua's Rule for React Native in 2026

Start with Managed Workflow. Ship your app. If you hit a wall with a native feature you cannot access, migrate to Bare at that point. The vast majority of apps never need to leave Managed Workflow.

SeekhowithRua's Mobile App Development course teaches Expo Managed Workflow first, then covers Bare Workflow for advanced use cases.