Uncaught Error: java.io.IOException: Failed to download remote update

Question

When using the npx expo start --lan, it is not possible to log into the project either through QR or through exp://... . Through --tunnel, the project is launched, but with restrictions or some kind of failures. If you run it via --localhost, the project starts normally. Everything is also fine using the web version and the emulator.

I'm definitely on the same network, I don't use VPN. I rebuilt the project several times, checked dependencies and updated packages. I checked the proxy, DNS, firewall. I did a test empty project, it doesn't work either. Added ANDROID_HOME and JAVA_HOME to ~./bashrc.The operating system used by EndeavourOS. Here are the packages that I use:

- ─ @babel/core@7.26.0
- ├── @expo/html-elements@0.11.0
- ├── @expo/vector-icons@14.0.4
- ├── @gluestack-ui/accordion@1.0.8
- ├── @gluestack-ui/actionsheet@0.2.46
- ├── @gluestack-ui/alert-dialog@0.1.32
- ├── @gluestack-ui/alert@0.1.16
- ├── @gluestack-ui/avatar@0.1.18
- ├── @gluestack-ui/button@1.0.8
- ├── @gluestack-ui/checkbox@0.1.33
- ├── @gluestack-ui/divider@0.1.10
- ├── @gluestack-ui/fab@0.1.22
- ├── @gluestack-ui/form-control@0.1.19
- ├── @gluestack-ui/icon@0.1.25
- ├── @gluestack-ui/image@0.1.11
- ├── @gluestack-ui/input@0.1.32
- ├── @gluestack-ui/link@0.1.23
- ├── @gluestack-ui/menu@0.2.37
- ├── @gluestack-ui/modal@0.1.35
- ├── @gluestack-ui/nativewind-utils@1.0.26
- ├── @gluestack-ui/overlay@0.1.16
- ├── @gluestack-ui/popover@0.1.43
- ├── @gluestack-ui/pressable@0.1.17
- ├── @gluestack-ui/progress@0.1.18
- ├── @gluestack-ui/radio@0.1.34
- ├── @gluestack-ui/select@0.1.30
- ├── @gluestack-ui/slider@0.1.26
- ├── @gluestack-ui/spinner@0.1.15
- ├── @gluestack-ui/switch@0.1.23
- ├── @gluestack-ui/textarea@0.1.24
- ├── @gluestack-ui/toast@1.0.8
- ├── @gluestack-ui/tooltip@0.1.37
- ├── @legendapp/motion@2.4.0
- ├── @react-navigation/bottom-tabs@7.2.0
- ├── @react-navigation/native-stack@7.2.0
- ├── @react-navigation/native@7.0.14
- ├── @types/jest@29.5.14
- ├── @types/react-native@0.73.0
- ├── @types/react-test-renderer@19.0.0
- ├── @types/react@18.3.18
- babel-plugin-module-resolver@5.0.2
- expo-blur@14.0.1
- expo-constants@17.0.3
- expo-font@13.0.2
- expo-haptics@14.0.0
- expo-linking@7.0.3
- expo-router@4.0.15
- expo-splash-screen@0.29.18
- expo-status-bar@2.0.0
- expo-symbols@0.2.0
- expo-system-ui@4.0.6
- expo-web-browser@14.0.1
- expo@52.0.23
- glob@11.0.0
- jest-expo@52.0.2
- jest@29.7.0
- jscodeshift@17.1.1
- nativewind@4.1.23
- react-dom@18.3.1
- react-native-css-interop@0.1.22
- react-native-gesture-handler@2.20.2
- react-native-reanimated@3.16.6
- react-native-safe-area-context@4.12.0
- react-native-screens@4.4.0
- react-native-svg@15.8.0
- react-native-web@0.19.13
- react-native-webview@13.12.5
- react-native@0.76.5
- react-test-renderer@19.0.0
- react@18.3.1
- rimraf@6.0.1
- tailwindcss@3.4.17
- typescript@5.7.2

Answer 1

After attempting to connect to Expo Go multiple times, I searched for alternatives. I found options such as connecting via USB and using flags like --localhost and --tunnel.

To connect to Expo Go, you must use

exp://${your_ip}:8081

I prefer using the Android Studio Virtual Machine or a USB connection.

Answer 2

Open Firewall in your system off the public network and it we work

Answer 3

Facing the java.io.IOException: Failed to download remote update Error in Expo Go?

Here’s a solution that worked for me:

---

1. Use a USB Connection

• Ensure USB debugging is enabled on your Android device.
• To enable it, go to Developer options (unlock it by tapping Build number 7 times under About phone).

---

2. Run Expo with --localhost

Start your project using the following command:

npx expo start --localhost

---

3. Manually Enter the URL in Expo Go

• Open the Expo Go app on your device.
• Enter the following URL:

  exp://<your-local-IP>:8081
  

  Replace <your-local-IP> with your machine's IP address (e.g., 192.168.x.x).

---

4. Verify Connection with adb (If Needed)

If it still doesn’t work:

• Check if your device is recognized by running:

  adb devices
  

• If needed, forward the port with:

  adb reverse tcp:8081 tcp:8081
  

---

Quick Tip

If all else fails, try using the --tunnel flag:

npx expo start --tunnel

---

This method resolved the issue for me, and I hope it helps someone else struggling with the same problem! 🚀

Answer 4

I faced the same issue, after rebooting the router, the problem was fixed. So reboot the router and try again.

Answer 5

I noticed you're facing a similar issue. I'm currently experiencing the same problem. My last modifications were in December, and today I updated expo, expo-router and react-native to their lastest versions.