Master React Native alongside me https://cwb.sh/rn

Learn the right way to handle environment variables in React Native and Expo. Understand what should be public, why you should never store secrets in your mobile app, and how to use server-side code for sensitive operations.

- Pro membership with production codebases: https://cwb.sh

📬 Newsletter: https://cwb.sh/newsletter?r=yt
💬 Join the Discord community: https://cwb.sh/discord

🐦 Follow Beto on X: https://x.com/betomoedano
💻 GitHub: https://github.com/betomoedano
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betomoedano

- Aqua Voice (free month): https://cwb.sh/aqua
- Warp Terminal: https://cwb.sh/warp
- Raycast: https://cwb.sh/raycast

For other ways to support my work, please consider:

- GitHub Sponsors: https://github.com/sponsors/betomoedano
- Become a Code with Beto channel member: https://cwb.sh/join

⌚️ Timestamps ⌚️
00:00 Intro
00:19 Understanding Client-Side Apps
00:48 Never Put Secrets in Mobile Apps
01:07 Public Keys Are Different
01:31 EXPO_PUBLIC Prefix Explained
01:51 Use Server-Side Code for Secrets
02:21 Final Rule & Recap

#ReactNative #Expo #mobileappdevelopment

Code with Beto

Handling environment variables in React Native and Expo requires understanding that mobile apps are client-side and everything bundled can potentially be extracted. Key rules: never store secrets (API keys, private tokens) in your app; public identifiers like analytics keys are acceptable but should use the EXPO_PUBLIC_ prefix to make intent explicit; for real secrets, move logic server-side using Expo's API routes so the client only communicates with your backend, which then handles sensitive credentials.

Environment Variables with React Native & Expo | Tutorial 2026