App Center CodePush Is Gone: OTA Update Alternatives for React Native in 2026
App Center CodePush retired on March 31, 2025, and Microsoft archived the CodePush server repositories on May 20, 2025. There is no hosted Microsoft replacement. For React Native over-the-air JavaScript updates in 2026, the real alternatives are Expo EAS Update (the mainstream choice), self-hosted CodePush from the open-sourced server, community forks, and commercial drop-ins. This guide covers each — and clears up two things almost every other post gets wrong.
Two clarifications everyone gets wrong
- There is no "Sentry CodePush." Sentry did not take over a hosted CodePush service. If a post tells you to "switch to Sentry CodePush," it's wrong.
- There is no Microsoft-hosted standalone CodePush. Microsoft only released the server source code for self-hosting, then archived the repo on May 20, 2025. There is nothing hosted to sign up for.
The real OTA update alternatives
Expo EAS Update — the mainstream path
EAS Update is the most-recommended replacement for React Native. It delivers JS/asset updates over the air and is well-integrated with the Expo toolchain. Migration friction to plan for:
- It uses channels rather than App Center's client-controlled deployment keys.
- Adopting it generally requires a rebuild and moving onto EAS.
For most teams starting fresh in 2026, EAS Update is the default answer.
Self-hosted microsoft/code-push-server
Microsoft's open-sourced server runs on Node.js with Azure Blob storage and is provided "as is." You keep your existing CodePush SDK integration and run the backend yourself — which means you own uptime, scaling and security patches. Good if you need to preserve the CodePush protocol and control the infrastructure.
Community forks
The community keeps the tooling alive — for example @shm-open/code-push-cli and projects like hot-updater. These pair well with self-hosting when you want a maintained CLI without depending on the archived original.
Commercial drop-ins
Several services aim to be near-compatible hosted replacements: Revopush, RN Stallion, NextPush, and Appcircle CodePush, among others. They trade self-hosting effort for a subscription.
Comparison
| Option | Hosting | SDK-compatible | Cost | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expo EAS Update | Managed (Expo) | New model (channels) | Free tier + paid | Low |
| Self-hosted CodePush | You | Yes (CodePush protocol) | Infra only | High (you own it) |
| Community forks | You | Yes | Free | Medium |
| Commercial drop-ins | Managed (vendor) | Near-compatible | Subscription | Low |
OTA JS updates vs full build distribution
Important distinction: CodePush and EAS Update push JavaScript and asset changes inside an already-installed app. They do not distribute new native binaries. When you change native code, add a dependency with native modules, or need testers on a fresh build, you're doing build distribution — a different job.
That's where a distribution tool fits alongside your OTA setup: Appisto distributes the full iOS and Android builds to your testers over the air, with a REST API so CI pushes each new binary automatically. Use EAS Update (or self-hosted CodePush) for JS updates, and a build-distribution tool for the native builds — see CI/CD for React Native for tying both into a pipeline, and the App Center migration guide for the full component map. Appisto handles builds, not JS bundles — we won't pretend otherwise.
Frequently asked questions
What replaced App Center CodePush? No hosted Microsoft service. Microsoft open-sourced the server (self-host) and archived the repo on May 20, 2025. Most teams move to Expo EAS Update.
Can I self-host CodePush? Yes — the released server runs on Node.js with Azure Blob storage, "as is," with community forks maintaining the CLI. You own hosting and maintenance.
Is there a managed CodePush service? Not from Microsoft. Expo EAS Update is the mainstream managed option; commercial drop-ins like Revopush and RN Stallion also exist.
Key takeaways
- App Center CodePush retired March 31, 2025; repos archived May 20, 2025. No hosted Microsoft replacement.
- Ignore two myths: there's no "Sentry CodePush" and no Microsoft-hosted CodePush.
- Choose Expo EAS Update (managed), self-hosted CodePush (control), or a commercial drop-in.
- OTA JS updates ≠ build distribution — use Appisto for distributing the native builds, and see distributing iOS without the App Store.
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