Expo SDK and React Native: Compatibility considerations for third‑party native modules

When developing with Expo, the SDK pins a specific React Native version, and all expo‑* modules are compiled against that RN release. This creates an integration boundary between the Expo SDK and the React Native runtime that third‑party native libraries must also respect. Developers often need to add native code that is not part of the Expo SDK, and they must decide whether to stay on the current SDK‑RN pair or upgrade to a newer SDK to obtain desired features, while ensuring the third‑party library remains compatible with the pinned RN version.

The uncertainty lies in deciding when to upgrade the SDK: a newer SDK brings updated APIs and fixes but also changes the underlying RN version, which can break third‑party dependencies tested on the older RN. Staying on an older SDK keeps those libraries working but may miss Expo improvements and security patches.

• What criteria should guide the decision to upgrade the Expo SDK versus retaining the current SDK‑RN pair when third‑party native libraries are involved?
• How does a change in the Expo SDK’s pinned React Native version affect the compatibility guarantees of existing third‑party native modules?
• When is it advisable to perform an incremental SDK upgrade to mitigate compatibility risks with third‑party native code?