mobile-run-on-device

Run Expo or React Native apps on physical devices and resolve connectivity failures.

2|Updated Apr 3, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/TMHSDigital/Mobile-App-Developer-Tools --skill mobile-run-on-device
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: mobile-run-on-device
Source: https://github.com/TMHSDigital/Mobile-App-Developer-Tools/tree/main/skills/mobile-run-on-device
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/TMHSDigital/Mobile-App-Developer-Tools --skill mobile-run-on-device

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This Skill helps developers run an Expo or React Native app on a physical phone or tablet and troubleshoot common connection and deployment problems that prevent the device from loading the development build.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Run on real devices: Start the Expo dev server and connect via Expo Go, LAN, tunnel, or USB to test on iOS and Android devices.
  • Dev builds for native modules: Build and install dev clients or use EAS Build when Expo Go lacks required native modules.
  • Troubleshooting guidance: Steps for QR scanning, tunnel fallback, USB debugging, firewall and VPN issues.
  • Use Case: A developer who needs to verify native functionality like camera or notifications on a physical device instead of an emulator.

Quick Start

Start the Expo dev server from the project root and scan the terminal QR code with Expo Go or use tunnel or USB as needed to run the app on your device.

Frequently Asked Questions about mobile-run-on-device

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I run an Expo app on a real phone instead of an emulator?

Troubleshoot Expo connection failures by checking firewall and VPN settings that block LAN traffic. If the device cannot reach the dev server, start the server with tunnel mode enabled or connect via USB debugging to bypass local network restrictions.

Do I need a dev client build to test native modules on an Expo device?

A dev client build is required to test native modules on an Expo device when Expo Go lacks the required native dependencies. Build a custom dev client locally or use EAS cloud builds to install the application with custom native code included.

Can I use Expo Go with React Native to test camera and notifications?

You can use Expo Go with React Native to test standard native features like the camera and push notifications on a physical device. If your project includes custom native code, deploy a dev client build instead of Expo Go to load the development server successfully.

What is the best way to connect an Android device to a React Native dev server?

The best way to connect an Android device to a React Native dev server is enabling USB debugging and connecting via USB cable. If USB is unavailable, connect both device and computer to the same LAN or use a tunnel fallback to scan the QR code.