Base URL and Environments

Production

The production API is served from the same origin as the web app.

https://friendchise.app

All /api/* routes are relative to this base. For example:

GET https://friendchise.app/api/mobile/me

The mobile app reads the base URL from the EXPO_PUBLIC_API_URL environment variable:

EXPO_PUBLIC_API_URL=https://friendchise.app

This should be set in the production mobile build configuration so production builds talk to the live web backend.

Local development

Why localhost doesn't work on a physical device

When the mobile app runs on a physical phone, localhost refers to the phone itself, not your computer. You must use your computer's local network IP address instead.

Plain HTTP is only appropriate for trusted local development networks. Outside local development, use HTTPS or a secure tunnel.

Find the network address in the terminal output when you start the backend:

Network: http://192.168.1.97:3000

Set EXPO_PUBLIC_API_URL to that address in your local .env:

EXPO_PUBLIC_API_URL=http://192.168.1.97:3000

Your IP may be different on each machine and can change when you switch networks. Re-check it whenever you switch networks or restart your router.

Simulators

iOS Simulator uses localhost. Android Emulator uses 10.0.2.2, which resolves to the host machine from inside the emulator.

EXPO_PUBLIC_API_URL=http://localhost:3000

EXPO_PUBLIC_API_URL=http://10.0.2.2:3000

Environments summary