Intercom React Native + Expo: Messages not received while conversation screen is open (only arrive after navigating back) | Community
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Intercom React Native + Expo: Messages not received while conversation screen is open (only arrive after navigating back)

  • March 18, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 149 views
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Hi Intercom team,

I’m integrating @intercom/intercom-react-native into a React Native 0.81.4 + Expo (prebuild) Android app, and I’m seeing an issue where new messages are not delivered while the Intercom conversation screen is open. They only appear after I navigate away and come back.

What I’m seeing

  • I open the Intercom Messenger from my app (using Intercom.present()).
  • I start a conversation and stay on that conversation screen.
  • From the Intercom workspace, I send a reply to that user.
  • Nothing appears in the conversation UI while I stay on this screen.
  • If I:
    • go back to the previous screen and reopen the Messenger, or
    • sometimes background and foreground the app
      then I suddenly see the new messages.

So it looks like the real-time updates / polling are not happening while the conversation screen is active.

Setup details

  • React Native: 0.81.4
  • Expo: managed workflow with expo prebuild
  • Library: @intercom/intercom-react-native 9.8.0
  • Platform: tested on Android (real device)

Region: US

app.json plugin config:



The current page has been stayed on for a long time but no message has been received.

Return to the list page and you will immediately see the message.

 

Best answer by Sean Meade Forum Support Lead

Hi ​@yang, Seán here from the Fin technical support team 👋

Sorry to hear you’re experiencing this, and thanks for raising it. Could you let us know what version you’re using, there are updates regularly and we’re currently on version 10.2.0. I think updating this version could resolve this issue. If not please let me know:

  • device model + Android version
  • whether it happens on every conversation or only newly created ones
  • whether push/FCM is configured
  • device logs while the conversation screen stays open and a teammate reply is sent

And I can check more on this for you, and raise it directly to the support team if needed.

1 reply

S
Intercom Team
Forum|alt.badge.img+6

Hi ​@yang, Seán here from the Fin technical support team 👋

Sorry to hear you’re experiencing this, and thanks for raising it. Could you let us know what version you’re using, there are updates regularly and we’re currently on version 10.2.0. I think updating this version could resolve this issue. If not please let me know:

  • device model + Android version
  • whether it happens on every conversation or only newly created ones
  • whether push/FCM is configured
  • device logs while the conversation screen stays open and a teammate reply is sent

And I can check more on this for you, and raise it directly to the support team if needed.

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