Physical Device Testing

# Android USB - verify the device is visible
adb devices
# Expect: <serial>    device
 
# Run a development build directly on the plugged-in phone
npx expo install expo-dev-client
npx expo run:android --device
 
# iOS USB - pick the connected iPhone in Xcode or:
npx expo run:ios --device
 
# Start Metro for an installed dev client (same Wi‑Fi or USB)
npx expo start --dev-client --lan
 
# Android wireless (Android 11+) after initial USB pairing
adb pair <ip>:<pairing-port>    # one-time, from Developer options
adb connect <ip>:5555
adb devices
 
# Internal QA build (installable .ipa / .apk)
eas build --profile preview --platform all

#!/usr/bin/env bash
# scripts/qa-device-session.sh - USB check, dev build, internal preview build
set -euo pipefail
 
PLATFORM="${1:-android}"   # android | ios
 
echo "▶ Checking expo-dev-client…"
npx expo install expo-dev-client
 
if [[ "$PLATFORM" == "android" ]]; then
  echo "▶ Android devices:"
  adb devices
  if ! adb devices | grep -w device | grep -v "List of devices" >/dev/null; then
    echo "❌ No Android device in 'device' state. Enable USB debugging and accept the RSA prompt."
    exit 1
  fi
  npx expo run:android --device
  npx expo start --dev-client --lan
else
  echo "▶ iOS devices (requires Xcode):"
  xcrun xctrace list devices 2>/dev/null || instruments -s devices
  npx expo run:ios --device
  npx expo start --dev-client --lan
fi

// eas.json - development (daily) + preview (internal QA distribution)
{
  "cli": { "version": ">= 16.0.0" },
  "build": {
    "development": {
      "developmentClient": true,
      "distribution": "internal",
      "android": { "gradleCommand": ":app:assembleDebug" },
      "ios": { "simulator": false }
    },
    "preview": {
      "distribution": "internal",
      "channel": "preview",
      "android": { "buildType": "apk" },
      "ios": { "simulator": false }
    }
  }
}

# After eas.json exists:
eas login
eas build:configure   # if not already done
 
# Daily dev on your phone
eas build --profile development --platform android
# Install from the QR/link, then:
npx expo start --dev-client
 
# Hand to QA - internal distribution (no store review)
eas build --profile preview --platform ios
eas build --profile preview --platform android
# iOS → TestFlight internal group; Android → direct APK or Play internal track

// App.tsx - show connection mode so QA can report environment accurately
import { useEffect, useState } from "react";
import { StyleSheet, Text, View } from "react-native";
import * as Device from "expo-device";
import Constants from "expo-constants";
 
export default function App() {
  const [info, setInfo] = useState("Loading…");
 
  useEffect(() => {
    const model = Device.modelName ?? "unknown";
    const os = `${Device.osName} ${Device.osVersion}`;
    const build = Constants.expoConfig?.version ?? "0.0.0";
    const channel = Constants.expoConfig?.extra?.eas?.channel ?? "local";
    setInfo(`${model} · ${os} · v${build} · channel:${channel}`);
  }, []);
 
  return (
    <View style={styles.container}>
      <Text style={styles.title}>QA device probe</Text>
      <Text style={styles.body}>{info}</Text>
      <Text style={styles.hint}>Shake device → dev menu → Reload after Metro reconnects.</Text>
    </View>
  );
}
 
const styles = StyleSheet.create({
  container: { flex: 1, justifyContent: "center", alignItems: "center", padding: 24 },
  title: { fontSize: 20, fontWeight: "700", marginBottom: 8 },
  body: { fontSize: 14, textAlign: "center", color: "#334155" },
  hint: { marginTop: 16, fontSize: 12, color: "#64748b" },
});

# USB port reverse - device hits laptop localhost (works when LAN is blocked)
adb reverse tcp:8081 tcp:8081
npx expo start --dev-client --localhost

# Register iOS test devices before ad-hoc/internal iOS builds
eas device:create
 
# Submit preview iOS build to TestFlight internal testers
eas build --profile preview --platform ios
eas submit --platform ios --latest

import * as Device from "expo-device";
 
if (__DEV__ && Device.isDevice) {
  console.log(`Physical device: ${Device.modelName}, OS ${Device.osVersion}`);
}