Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates
WorkForce uses Expo's OTA update system to deliver improvements without requiring app store submissions.
How OTA Updates Work
- Developer publishes an update via
eas update - Next time the app launches or returns to foreground, it checks for updates
- If an update is found, it's downloaded in the background
- User is prompted to restart the app to apply the update
- On restart, the new version is active
Automatic Update Checks
The app checks for updates at these times:
- App launch — When the app is opened
- Foreground return — When switching back to the app after being in the background
Manual Update Check
- Go to Profile tab
- Tap Check for Updates
- Wait for the check to complete
- If an update is found, tap Update Now
- The app restarts with the new version
What Gets Updated via OTA
| Can Update | Cannot Update |
|---|---|
| JavaScript/TypeScript code | Native modules |
| Screens and UI | App permissions config |
| API endpoints | Expo SDK version |
| Bug fixes | Native dependencies |
| Translations | App icons |
| Business logic | Splash screen |
When Full App Store Update is Needed
A new app store build is required when:
- New native dependencies are added (e.g., new Expo module)
- Expo SDK is upgraded
- Native configuration in
app.jsonchanges - iOS/Android permission declarations change
Update Channels
| Channel | Purpose |
|---|---|
| production | Stable releases for all users |
| preview | Pre-release testing |
| development | Developer testing |
Troubleshooting
Update won't install
- Ensure a stable internet connection
- Force-close the app and reopen
- Try the manual check in Profile
App behaves unexpectedly after update
- Force-close and reopen the app
- Clear app cache in device settings
- If issues persist, uninstall and reinstall from the app store