Ctrl+Z Therapy
CasesQuick answersGuides10-minute checklistHow we testCartoonSend it in

Expo Go says 'Project is incompatible'? Why your iPhone can't open it

Ship ItChecked against the official source

Source checked 10 Oct 2026 · Published 23 Oct 2026 · Last reviewed 23 Oct 2026 · By Ctrl+Z Therapy (how we test)

The short answer

If Expo Go says "Project is incompatible with this version of Expo Go", your project's SDK doesn't match the app. Expo's docs: "Each build of Expo Go includes one Expo SDK version", and the expo version in your package.json sets your project's SDK. Expo Go on the Apple App Store stops at SDK 54, and SDK 55 and later are not available there. So a newer project won't open on a physical iPhone with the App Store version.

What to do

  1. Check which SDK your project uses: it's the expo version in your package.json.
  2. On SDK 55 or later with an iPhone? Build Expo Go yourself with eas go and distribute it through your TestFlight internal team. That needs an Apple Developer Program membership.
  3. Building a real app? Create a development build, which Expo calls "essentially your own version of Expo Go".
  4. Ask your AI tool: "Tell me which Expo SDK this project uses and whether it can open in the App Store version of Expo Go. If not, set up a development build for my iPhone."

Good to know

  • Expo Go isn't discontinued: only the App Store version stops at SDK 54. Expo's docs don't promise a date for SDK 55 there.
  • On Android, expo.dev/go lets you pick a version.

Source

Checked on 10 Oct 2026. Prices, limits and settings change, so check the source before you rely on them.