Beta link opens a browser or shows “Server Error” — check that exp:// is still there
Quick answer
During beta access, the Barterloo link must keep the exp:// at the beginning. Some email apps (especially Gmail and some Android flows) drop exp:// and open the link as a normal web page, which causes a Server Error or a red error screen.
Platform
iOS, Android
Area
App Access & Beta Setup
Related system
Expo Go, Gmail, Safari, Chrome
Symptoms
If any of these match, this article is for you.
- You tap the Barterloo beta link and land in Safari, Chrome, or another browser.
- The address bar no longer starts with exp://.
- You see “Server Error,” “TypeError: Network request failed,” “Not Secure,” or an IP address in the browser.
- You downloaded Expo Go but Barterloo does not open.
- The error screen says it cannot be dismissed.
Step-by-step solution
On iPhone
- Copy the full Barterloo beta link from the latest Barterloo email.
- Open Safari.
- Paste the full link into the Safari address bar.
- Before pressing enter, confirm the link starts with exp://.
- If Safari or Gmail removed it, manually add exp:// back to the beginning.
- Press enter and choose Open in Expo Go when prompted.
- If you already see a red/server error, close that browser tab and try again from the full exp:// link.
On Android
- Copy the full Barterloo beta link from the latest Barterloo email.
- Open Expo Go directly.
- Paste the full exp:// link into Expo Go’s project / server URL field.
- Do not paste the link into Chrome unless instructions specifically say to.
- If you land in Chrome or see an IP address in the browser bar, you are not in Expo Go — go back to Expo Go and paste the link there.
If it still does not work
- Send support a full screenshot that includes the top address bar.
- Tell us your phone model and which app you used to open the email (Gmail, Apple Mail, Outlook, Chrome, Safari, etc.).
- Include your account email so we can match the case.
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