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Yes. You can build iOS and Android apps without owning a Mac by using Expo Application Services (EAS). EAS Build compiles iOS apps on Expo-hosted macOS cloud runners and Android apps on Linux runners; you can start builds from Windows or Linux. Apple signing credentials and the required store developer accounts are still necessary for device and store-release workflows.
What EAS does—and what it does not remove
EAS Build is a hosted service that takes an app project and produces a platform build. Expo documents Android builds running on Linux runners hosted in Google Cloud Platform and iOS builds running on Expo’s macOS cloud runners (Expo build infrastructure). Because the cloud machine performs the compilation, you do not need a local Mac for this workflow.
Building and publishing are separate steps. EAS can create the app binary and help submit it, but it does not waive Apple or Google account requirements, signing, store review, or the final release steps in each store’s console.
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| Requirement | iOS | Android |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud build machine | Expo-hosted macOS runner | Linux runner |
| Store account | Paid Apple Developer membership for App Store submission | Google Play Developer account for Play distribution |
| Signing | Apple certificates and provisioning credentials | EAS can generate and manage a keystore, or you can use existing credentials |
| Store artifact | Production IPA | Production Android App Bundle (AAB); an APK is useful for installation and testing, not the Play submission artifact |
| Submission without a Mac | EAS Submit supports Windows, Linux, and macOS | EAS Submit and the Play Console workflow do not require a Mac |
| Testing options | Simulator, or a signed development build on a physical device | Android emulator or physical device |
Expo’s EAS Submit documentation says Apple submission requires a paid Apple Developer account. For Google Play, Expo’s Android submission guide requires a Google Play Developer account and a production AAB for the store workflow.
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Build an app with EAS from Windows or Linux
The commands below are the usual shape of the workflow; exact prompts and project configuration can vary as EAS evolves. Start with an Expo or React Native project configured for EAS, and follow the current Expo setup guide for its CLI and account prerequisites.
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Install and authenticate EAS CLI. Follow Expo’s EAS Build setup guide to install the CLI and sign in to your Expo account.
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Configure the project and build profiles. Initialize EAS Build configuration and review the generated
eas.json. Choose development or production profiles based on whether you are testing or preparing a store release.What’s actually slowing this PC down?
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Request a cloud build. Run
eas build --platform iosfor iOS,eas build --platform androidfor Android, oreas build --platform allfor both. EAS runs the jobs in its cloud infrastructure; your Windows or Linux computer does not compile the iOS app locally. -
Resolve platform credentials when prompted. For iOS device or store builds, arrange Apple signing credentials through an Apple account with suitable permissions, or use credentials an authorized team member has uploaded to Expo.
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Download and test the build. Use the build output and EAS dashboard to access the resulting artifact and install it in the appropriate test environment.
Apple signing and account permissions still matter
For an iOS app intended for a physical device or App Store distribution, a Mac-free build still needs the relevant Apple signing setup. Expo says credentials may be created by an Apple account with suitable permissions or uploaded by an authorized team member. Who can create credentials depends on whether the Apple Developer membership is an individual or organization account and on the person’s role; coordinate with the account holder or team administrator rather than assuming every team member can manage signing (Expo app-signing credentials guide).
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Testing without buying a Mac or phone
Android
You can test Android builds in an emulator or on a physical Android device. A phone is optional: it can help you check the app on real hardware, but it is not a requirement for using EAS. Use a development build for hands-on development and an appropriate production profile when preparing a store artifact (Expo internal distribution guide).
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iOS
An iOS simulator build is an option when the goal is simulator testing. Installing a development build on a physical iPhone or iPad requires the relevant signing and device setup. Expo’s guide also says that physical-device development builds on iOS 16 and later require Developer Mode (Expo development builds guide).
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App Store
Create a production iOS build, confirm its signing and App Store Connect setup, and submit it with EAS Submit. Expo documents EAS Submit as available from Windows, Linux, or macOS. Apple’s review, metadata decisions, and release controls remain in App Store Connect (Expo EAS Submit overview).
Google Play
Create a production Android App Bundle, then submit it with EAS Submit or use the Play Console workflow. An APK profile can be useful for local installation or testing, but it is not the artifact EAS Submit expects for the Google Play store path. Google Play release management remains in Play Console (Expo Android submission guide).
Expo’s setup guide lists Apple Developer Program membership at $99 USD and Google Play Developer membership at a one-time $25 USD. These are figures stated by Expo on a page whose year is not specified, so check the official program pages for current pricing before signing up (Expo EAS Build setup guide).
When a Mac is still relevant
A Mac is not needed for the documented EAS cloud-build and submission workflow. It is required if you choose a manual Xcode archiving or upload route rather than EAS’s hosted workflow. That is a different process from requesting a cloud build (Expo iOS submission guide).
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