# Expo vs React Native Bare (React Native)

> Expo managed workflow, Expo Go, prebuild, Expo Modules, config plugins, custom native code, ejection, EAS

- 18 interview questions
- Mid-Level
- [Interview Questions: React Native](https://sharpskill.dev/en/technologies/react-native/interview-questions.md)

## 1. What is the main difference between Expo managed workflow and bare React Native workflow?

**Answer**

Expo managed workflow abstracts native configuration (ios/ and android/) and automatically handles native dependencies through Expo Go or EAS cloud builds. The bare workflow exposes complete native folders, offering full control over native code but requiring manual configuration and maintenance of Xcode and Android Studio projects.

## 2. What is the Expo Go app and what is its main limitation?

**Answer**

Expo Go is a client app downloadable from App Store and Play Store that allows instant testing of Expo projects without native builds. Its main limitation is that it only supports native modules included in the Expo SDK. Libraries with custom native code don't work in Expo Go, requiring a custom development build instead.

## 3. What is the purpose of the expo prebuild command in an Expo project?

**Answer**

The expo prebuild command generates the native ios/ and android/ folders from app.json/app.config.js configuration and config plugins. This is the Continuous Native Generation (CNG) concept: native folders are generated on-demand rather than manually maintained. It allows having a managed project with bare capabilities when needed.

## 15 more questions available

- What is a development build in the Expo ecosystem?
- What are config plugins used for in Expo?

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## Other React Native interview topics

- [JavaScript Essentials](https://sharpskill.dev/en/technologies/react-native/interview-questions/javascript-essentials.md): 25 questions, Junior
- [React Fundamentals](https://sharpskill.dev/en/technologies/react-native/interview-questions/react-fundamentals.md): 20 questions, Junior
- [React Native Basics](https://sharpskill.dev/en/technologies/react-native/interview-questions/react-native-basics.md): 22 questions, Junior
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- [React Native Components & API](https://sharpskill.dev/en/technologies/react-native/interview-questions/rn-components-api.md): 20 questions, Junior
- [React Native Styling & Layout](https://sharpskill.dev/en/technologies/react-native/interview-questions/rn-styling-layout.md): 18 questions, Junior
- [React Native Navigation](https://sharpskill.dev/en/technologies/react-native/interview-questions/rn-navigation.md): 22 questions, Mid-Level
- [React Native State Management](https://sharpskill.dev/en/technologies/react-native/interview-questions/rn-state-management.md): 24 questions, Mid-Level
- [React Native Networking & API](https://sharpskill.dev/en/technologies/react-native/interview-questions/rn-networking-api.md): 20 questions, Mid-Level
- [Data Persistence](https://sharpskill.dev/en/technologies/react-native/interview-questions/rn-data-persistence.md): 20 questions, Mid-Level
- [Forms & Validation](https://sharpskill.dev/en/technologies/react-native/interview-questions/rn-forms-validation.md): 18 questions, Mid-Level
- [React Native Animations](https://sharpskill.dev/en/technologies/react-native/interview-questions/rn-animations.md): 22 questions, Mid-Level
- [Native Modules & Bridge](https://sharpskill.dev/en/technologies/react-native/interview-questions/rn-native-modules.md): 20 questions, Mid-Level
- [Platform-Specific Code](https://sharpskill.dev/en/technologies/react-native/interview-questions/rn-platform-specific-code.md): 18 questions, Mid-Level
- [Permissions & Device APIs](https://sharpskill.dev/en/technologies/react-native/interview-questions/rn-permissions-apis.md): 20 questions, Mid-Level
- [Push Notifications](https://sharpskill.dev/en/technologies/react-native/interview-questions/rn-push-notifications.md): 18 questions, Mid-Level
- [React Native Testing](https://sharpskill.dev/en/technologies/react-native/interview-questions/rn-testing.md): 20 questions, Mid-Level
- [React Native Debugging](https://sharpskill.dev/en/technologies/react-native/interview-questions/rn-debugging.md): 18 questions, Mid-Level
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- [Performance Optimization](https://sharpskill.dev/en/technologies/react-native/interview-questions/rn-performance-optimization.md): 24 questions, Senior
- [Memory Management](https://sharpskill.dev/en/technologies/react-native/interview-questions/rn-memory-management.md): 20 questions, Senior
- [Architecture Patterns](https://sharpskill.dev/en/technologies/react-native/interview-questions/rn-architecture-patterns.md): 22 questions, Senior
- [React Native New Architecture](https://sharpskill.dev/en/technologies/react-native/interview-questions/rn-new-architecture.md): 24 questions, Senior
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- [App Lifecycle & Background Execution](https://sharpskill.dev/en/technologies/react-native/interview-questions/rn-app-lifecycle-background.md): 20 questions, Mid-Level
- [Authentication & Session Management](https://sharpskill.dev/en/technologies/react-native/interview-questions/rn-auth-session-management.md): 22 questions, Mid-Level
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