Expo + Lingui

Lingui's runtime API (@lingui/core setupI18n plus @lingui/react) replaces the core i18n shim in src/lib/i18n.ts, with the same surface as everywhere else: i18n.t(key, vars) and useT(). I'd pick it when you want ICU message syntax and a catalog CLI (bun run i18n:extract); pick i18next for the bigger plugin ecosystem, and none while you're still English-only. Screens don't change shape: they keep the shim's {{name}} placeholders, and toIcu() converts them to {name} at the t boundary.

At a glance

Runs in Expo Go

Yes

Files added

11

npm packages

4

Keys to paste

None

Included in

Starter and Pro

Set it up

bun run setup --i18n lingui

Setup copies the module in, installs SDK-matched versions and removes the options you did not pick. Then bun run doctor lists every key still missing, with a link to where you get it. The step-by-step guide is in the Lingui docs.

Other i18n options

• i18next - react-i18next + expo-localization, 6 languages bundled incl. Arabic (RTL) · Expo Go OK

Get it

Lingui ships in Starter and Pro: one payment, lifetime updates. See pricing or browse every module.