According to a recent LinkedIn post from Expo, the company is evolving its Expo Modules framework by deprecating a custom Swift DSL in favor of native Swift macros in the 2.0 release. The post explains that macros can now auto-generate bindings at build time, simplifying module definitions and consolidating multiple constructs into standard Swift methods, variables, structs, and annotated properties.
The LinkedIn post highlights that existing modules are not required to undergo a full rewrite, as both the legacy DSL and the new macro-based API can coexist within the same class. It further notes that modules remaining on version 1.0 benefit from performance improvements through runtime optimizations in SDK 57, suggesting that the transition path is designed to minimize disruption for current production users.
As shared in the post, the performance gains from Expo Modules 2.0 appear significant, with synchronous calls through the new @JS annotation reportedly running 2.5 to 5.6 times faster than under the previous approach due to shifting type conversion to build time. For investors, this indicates a strategic focus on developer efficiency and runtime performance, which could strengthen Expo’s appeal among mobile developers and enhance stickiness in its ecosystem.
The post also outlines current limitations of the 2.0 implementation, including iOS-only support, absence of view coverage, and ongoing work for Android integration, with full documentation and an official beta expected alongside SDK 58. These caveats suggest a phased rollout, which may temper immediate adoption but provide a roadmap for broader platform support that could expand Expo’s addressable developer base over time.
From an industry perspective, Expo’s move to leverage Swift macros aligns with broader trends toward deeper integration with native language features to reduce overhead and improve performance. If successful, this technical evolution could improve the competitiveness of Expo’s tooling against other cross-platform and native development frameworks, potentially supporting long-term user growth and monetization opportunities tied to its developer tooling and services.