# Expo Go stuck reconnecting

> Recover a phone preview, switch to the browser, and choose the right preview for your app.

Canonical: https://www.rnblocks.dev/docs/expo-go-troubleshooting
Updated: 2026-10-08

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.

## Try a fresh preview session

Section: https://www.rnblocks.dev/docs/expo-go-troubleshooting#reconnect

1. **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.

2. **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.

3. **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.

4. **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.

### Figure: Expo Go waiting for a preview

Expo Go shows Connecting… above its logo before the app loads.

1. This is the preview connection screen, not a screen generated for your app.
2. In this test, reopening with a fresh preview link reached Narrate’s sign-in screen. Other connection failures may have a different cause.

Actual iOS Simulator capture while opening Narrate, October 8, 2026. The blue gear is a simulator overlay.


## Continue in your phone’s browser

Section: https://www.rnblocks.dev/docs/expo-go-troubleshooting#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.

1. **Open Preview in Studio** — Return to your app in RNBlocks and select the Preview tab.

2. **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

Section: https://www.rnblocks.dev/docs/expo-go-troubleshooting#desktop

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.

### Figure: Try the app in the iOS preview

The Studio preview panel shows Wandr’s destination discovery screen in an iPhone. On a computer, My Device, Android, iOS and Web sit below the preview, with iOS selected. On mobile, the Preview tab shows the app. The toolbar includes Publish.

1. On a computer, choose iOS below the preview. On a phone, open Preview and use Open with Expo Go.
2. Open a destination, use its actions and check the next screen.
3. Test the Android version too before preparing that release.

Wandr in the iOS preview. Illustrated workspace with recreated native app screens.


## When refreshing will not fix it

Section: https://www.rnblocks.dev/docs/expo-go-troubleshooting#compatibility

| 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

Section: https://www.rnblocks.dev/docs/expo-go-troubleshooting#report

- 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.


## Continue

- [Preview your app](https://www.rnblocks.dev/docs/previewing-screens)
- [Choose a native testing path](https://www.rnblocks.dev/docs/publishing/testing)
- [Test the important paths](https://www.rnblocks.dev/docs/testing-your-app)

## Official references

- [Expo: version mismatch and device-specific installation](https://docs.expo.dev/troubleshooting/expo-go-version-mismatch/)
- [Expo: library compatibility](https://docs.expo.dev/workflow/using-libraries/)
- [Expo: development builds](https://docs.expo.dev/develop/development-builds/introduction/)
- [Expo: web support](https://docs.expo.dev/workflow/web/)