Expo updates have been downloaded, but they are not being applied

DORSETRIGS

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02-09-2024

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Expo Updates Downloaded But Not Applied: A Troubleshooting Guide

Problem: You've successfully downloaded Expo updates, but they aren't being applied to your app. You've checked your configuration and confirmed that an update is available, but it's not taking effect.

Solution: This common issue can be frustrating, but there are several potential solutions you can try:

1. The Expo Updates Mechanism

Before delving into troubleshooting steps, it's crucial to understand how Expo updates work:

• Updates are downloaded in the background: The expo-updates package manages this process automatically.
• Updates are applied upon app restart: Once downloaded, the update won't be active until the app restarts.
• App version policy: The appVersion policy dictates when an update is applied. You've mentioned using appVersion policy with value 1.0.0, which means your app will be updated immediately on restart.

2. Debugging with Logcat

The provided logcat logs indicate that the update was downloaded successfully:

• "DownloadComplete" state: The app successfully transitioned to the "DownloadComplete" state, meaning the update is ready for deployment.
• "ErrorRecovery: remote load status changed: NEW_UPDATE_LOADED": This confirms that the update has been loaded.

3. Potential Solutions

• Force restart: This is the most basic solution. Close the app completely, and then reopen it. This might trigger the update process.
• Check appVersion policy: While you mentioned using appVersion with value 1.0.0, double-check your app.json file for the correct appVersion configuration.
• fallbackToCacheTimeout: The fallbackToCacheTimeout parameter in your app.json controls how long the app will wait for a network response before falling back to the cached version. Set this value to a higher number, allowing for more time to download the update.
• Clear app data: This might help by removing any cached files that could be causing issues.
• Rebuild the app: If the issue persists, rebuild the app from scratch. This might help resolve any discrepancies in the local build environment.
• Check network connectivity: Ensure your device has a stable network connection during the update process.
• Uninstall and reinstall the app: As a last resort, uninstall the app and reinstall it from your app store. This will ensure a clean installation with no conflicting files.

4. Further Investigation

If none of the above solutions work, you can try the following:

• Logcat analysis: Look for further errors or warnings in your Logcat output.
• Debugging with expo-updates: Consider using console.log() statements or a debugging tool to understand the flow of the expo-updates package.
• Expo forums: For complex issues, check the Expo forums for similar problems and potential solutions.
• Expo community support: Reach out to the Expo community for assistance and expert advice.

5. Additional Considerations

• Expo SDK version: Ensure you're using the latest version of the Expo SDK, as it might include bug fixes related to updates.
• Native dependencies: If you've recently installed native dependencies, they might be interfering with the update process. Check if your native dependencies are compatible with Expo updates.

Key Takeaway:

Understanding the Expo updates mechanism is crucial for troubleshooting. By systematically checking your configuration, rebuilding your app, and carefully examining Logcat outputs, you can successfully resolve most update-related issues. Remember that the Expo community is a valuable resource for further support and guidance.

Attribution:

This article is based on user contributions from Stack Overflow, specifically the post titled "Expo updates have been downloaded, but they are not being applied." The content in this article has been supplemented with additional analysis, explanations, and practical examples to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issue and potential solutions.