Expo Go stuck reconnecting
Recover a phone preview, switch to the browser, and choose the right preview for your app.
If opening your app in Expo Go leaves it on “Connecting…” or “Reconnecting”, try reopening the preview session first. A temporary connection or session problem can clear after a refresh. That message alone does not tell you whether your phone or app is incompatible.
You can keep checking web-compatible parts of your app with Preview in browser. For more preview options, open the same saved app in Studio on a computer.
On this page
Try a fresh preview session
Return to RNBlocks
Leave Expo Go and return to the same app in Studio. Wait for any active generation or save to finish before refreshing.
Refresh once
Refresh the RNBlocks page, open Preview, wait for Open with Expo Go to become available, then tap it again. This may recover a temporary session problem; it does not repair incompatible code.
Check the connection
If it still reconnects, close and reopen Expo Go and try a stable connection. If possible, compare Wi-Fi with mobile data. Note whether the problem happens on both.
Keep the error
If a specific error appears, record its wording. Avoid repeatedly refreshing a version-mismatch or missing-native-module error; use the compatibility steps below.
Actual iOS Simulator capture while opening Narrate, October 8, 2026. The blue gear is a simulator overlay.
- This is the preview connection screen, not a screen generated for your app.
- In this test, reopening with a fresh preview link reached Narrate’s sign-in screen. Other connection failures may have a different cause.
Continue in your phone’s browser
Web preview is useful for navigation, forms and other features whose libraries support web. Some native libraries provide a web implementation; others do not. Even an app without custom native code can have browser-specific errors.
A successful browser preview does not verify iOS or Android behavior. Camera access, notifications, purchases, sign-in redirects and other device features may behave differently or need a native test build.
Open Preview in Studio
Return to your app in RNBlocks and select the Preview tab.
Tap Preview in browser
This opens the web preview in a new tab, without needing Expo Go. Try the screen or action you were working on.
Use a computer for the full preview workspace
Open the same saved app in Studio on a computer. The larger workspace makes it easier to compare iOS, Android and Web and read errors beside the conversation.
Choose iOS or Android in the preview controls; use Launch Snack if shown. Choose Web for the browser version, or My Device for the QR-code instructions to open the app on your phone.
If Open with Expo Go stays connecting, opening My Device on a computer and scanning its QR code can sometimes start a working preview session. Keep that preview open while your phone connects. This is another way to try the connection, not a fix for incompatible app code.
Switching to a computer does not add unsupported native modules to Expo Go or the hosted preview. If the app needs custom native code, use a compatible development or testing build.
Wandr in the iOS preview. Illustrated workspace with recreated native app screens.
- On a computer, choose iOS below the preview. On a phone, open Preview and use Open with Expo Go.
- Open a destination, use its actions and check the next screen.
- Test the Android version too before preparing that release.
When refreshing will not fix it
| What you see | What to do |
|---|---|
Reconnecting with no specific error | Try the fresh-session steps, then browser or desktop preview. The cause still needs investigation if it persists. |
Project is incompatible / requires a newer Expo Go | Check the project’s Expo SDK against the Expo Go version. Follow Expo’s current device-specific instructions; installing a different build is more restricted on physical iPhones. |
A required native module is missing | Ask the agent to check the named dependency. It may require a development build rather than Expo Go. |
The phone cannot install a compatible Expo Go build | Check Expo’s supported installation options. Use a compatible device, desktop preview where supported, or a suitable test build. |
Web preview reports an unsupported API or module | Use a compatible native preview/build, or ask for a web fallback. A desktop browser alone will not fix missing web support. |
Give the agent enough to investigate
Name the app and say whether you used Open with Expo Go, Preview in browser, iOS or Android preview.
Include your phone model, operating-system version, Expo Go version and the exact error or a screenshot. Keep passwords and verification codes out of chat.
Say whether refreshing helped and whether the same app works in browser or desktop preview. Ask for a focused diagnosis before rebuilding the app.