Expo pending requests

[stevenwu]

Preliminary Checks

• I have reviewed the documentation: https://clerk.com/docs

• I have searched for existing issues: https://github.com/clerk/javascript/issues

• I have not already reached out to Clerk support via email or Discord (if you have, no need to open an issue here)

• This issue is not a question, general help request, or anything other than a bug report directly related to Clerk. Please ask questions in our Discord community: https://clerk.com/discord.

Reproduction

https://github.com/stevenwu/clerk-expo-issue

Publishable key

pk_test_YW1hemVkLWxpb25lc3MtNzIuY2xlcmsuYWNjb3VudHMuZGV2JA

Description

On initial app install in iOS simulator, isLoaded returns true. On subsequent app starts, isLoaded stays false. What I found, is that the request stays pending.

In the screenshot below, I also have a minimal Convex setup that successfully fetches data.

If I erase all content and settings on the simulator and install the app, it works for a while, then the issue reappears.

In expo web, the isLoaded returns true.

Steps to reproduce:

1. Install app.
2. Start app, see that isLoaded returns true.
3. Stop simulator, shutdown expo.
4. ??? Repeat?

Expected behavior:

isLoaded should return true.

Actual behavior:

isLoaded returns false.

Environment

Packages: +1
+
Progress: resolved 1, reused 0, downloaded 1, added 1, done

  System:
    OS: macOS 15.4.1
    CPU: (12) arm64 Apple M2 Max
    Memory: 1.24 GB / 64.00 GB
    Shell: 5.9 - /bin/zsh
  Binaries:
    Node: 23.11.0 - ~/.local/state/fnm_multishells/56451_1746661142546/bin/node
    Yarn: 1.22.22 - /opt/homebrew/bin/yarn
    npm: 10.9.2 - ~/.local/state/fnm_multishells/56451_1746661142546/bin/npm
    pnpm: 10.10.0 - /opt/homebrew/bin/pnpm
    bun: 1.2.12 - /opt/homebrew/bin/bun
    Watchman: 2025.04.28.00 - /opt/homebrew/bin/watchman
  Browsers:
    Brave Browser: 136.1.78.97
    Chrome: 136.0.7103.93
    Edge: 136.0.3240.50
    Safari: 18.4
    Safari Technology Preview: 18.4
  npmPackages:
    @babel/core: ^7.25.2 => 7.27.1
    @clerk/clerk-expo: ^2.11.2 => 2.11.2
    @expo/vector-icons: ^14.1.0 => 14.1.0
    @react-navigation/bottom-tabs: ^7.3.10 => 7.3.12
    @react-navigation/elements: ^2.3.8 => 2.4.1
    @react-navigation/native: ^7.1.6 => 7.1.8
    @types/react: ~19.0.10 => 19.0.14
    eslint: ^9.25.0 => 9.26.0
    eslint-config-expo: ~9.2.0 => 9.2.0
    expo: ~53.0.9 => 53.0.9
    expo-auth-session: ~6.1.5 => 6.1.5
    expo-blur: ~14.1.4 => 14.1.4
    expo-constants: ~17.1.6 => 17.1.6
    expo-font: ~13.3.1 => 13.3.1
    expo-haptics: ~14.1.4 => 14.1.4
    expo-image: ~2.1.7 => 2.1.7
    expo-linking: ~7.1.5 => 7.1.5
    expo-router: ~5.0.6 => 5.0.6
    expo-secure-store: ~14.2.3 => 14.2.3
    expo-splash-screen: ~0.30.8 => 0.30.8
    expo-status-bar: ~2.2.3 => 2.2.3
    expo-symbols: ~0.4.4 => 0.4.4
    expo-system-ui: ~5.0.7 => 5.0.7
    expo-web-browser: ~14.1.6 => 14.1.6
    react: 19.0.0 => 19.0.0
    react-dom: 19.0.0 => 19.0.0
    react-native: 0.79.2 => 0.79.2
    react-native-gesture-handler: ~2.24.0 => 2.24.0
    react-native-reanimated: ~3.17.4 => 3.17.5
    react-native-safe-area-context: 5.4.0 => 5.4.0
    react-native-screens: ~4.10.0 => 4.10.0
    react-native-web: ~0.20.0 => 0.20.0
    react-native-webview: 13.13.5 => 13.13.5
    typescript: ~5.8.3 => 5.8.3

[ahill-wq]

I also have the same clerk + convex setup. Have started to experience the same issue with isLoaded = false on every subsequent start except the first one, requests are pending.
I can reproduce it only on the iOS simulator. Android simulator is fine, physical Apple/Android devices fine too.

[filipkny]

Got the exact same issue, happening both on android and ios now. isLoaded (sometimes) is true when the app is loaded but soon after becomes false. Some times that's the case right from the start

[ericdew]

Been having the same issue as well. Installing an earlier version of the iOS simulator seems to work as expected.

I'm using iOS 17.5, but I didn't test any of the other 18.* versions to see what simulator version it stops loading in.

[wobsoriano]

Hi everyone!

Thanks for reporting this issue. After investigating, we've found that this issue appears to be specific to iOS simulators running iOS 18.* and does not occur on real physical devices.

There seems to be a relevant discussion about this on Apple's developer forums: https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/777999

As a workaround for testing in a simulator, downgrading to iOS 17 should unblock your progress.

[lusentis]

Upgrading macOS to Sequoia 15.5 (24F74), fixed the issue on iOS Simulator 18.4.

[wobsoriano]

I can confirm that upgrading to Sequoia 15.5 fixes the network issue 👍🏼

[dciccale]

Upgrading macOS to Sequoia 15.5 (24F74), fixed the issue on iOS Simulator 18.4.

for me it didn't, did you have to recreate the simulator or anything or it started working on your existing simulator with your last app dev build?

[wobsoriano]

Upgrading macOS to Sequoia 15.5 (24F74), fixed the issue on iOS Simulator 18.4.

for me it didn't, did you have to recreate the simulator or anything or it started working on your existing simulator with your last app dev build?

On my end I just upgraded to 15.5 and rerun existing app with existing simulator and everything just worked