How to Add AdMob Ads to Your Expo React Native App (2025)

Step-by-step guide to implementing Google AdMob ads in Expo React Native apps with rewarded ads, banners, and interstitials using Expo's native module.

Why AdMob?

Google AdMob is the leading mobile advertising platform for several compelling reasons. It offers industry-standard monetization features, supports multiple high-performing ad formats (especially rewarded videos), and integrates seamlessly with Expo projects. This makes it an ideal choice for React Native developers looking to monetize their applications.

Setup and Configuration

1. Install the AdMob Package

First, install the required package using Expo's installation command:

npx expo install react-native-google-mobile-ads

2. Configure App IDs

Add the following configuration to your app.json:

{
  "expo": {
    "plugins": [
      [
        "react-native-google-mobile-ads",
        {
          "androidAppId": "ca-app-pub-xxxxxxxx~xxxxxxxx",
          "iosAppId": "ca-app-pub-xxxxxxxx~xxxxxxxx"
        }
      ]
    ]
  }
}

Initialization

To get started, initialize AdMob in your app's root component:

import mobileAds from 'react-native-google-mobile-ads';

// Initialize once at app startup
mobileAds()
  .initialize()
  .then(() => console.log('AdMob initialized'));

Implementing Ad Formats

Rewarded Ads

Here's how to implement rewarded video ads:

import { RewardedAd, TestIds } from 'react-native-google-mobile-ads';

const rewarded = RewardedAd.createForAdRequest(
  __DEV__ ? TestIds.REWARDED : 'LIVE-REWARDED-AD-UNIT-ID'
);

// Load ad
rewarded.load();

// Show ad (after load completes)
rewarded.show();

Banner Ads

Implement banner ads using this component:

<BannerAd
  unitId={_DEV__ ? TestIds.BANNER : 'LIVE-BANNER-AD-UNIT-ID'}
  size="BANNER"
  onAdFailedToLoad={(error) => console.error(error)}
/>

Interstitial Ads

Here's the implementation for interstitial ads:

const interstitial = InterstitialAd.createForAdRequest(
  _DEV__ ? TestIds.INTERSTITIAL : 'LIVE-INTERSTITIAL-AD-UNIT-ID'
);

// Preload during natural pauses
interstitial.load();

// Display between screens
interstitial.show();

Event Handling

Here's how to handle ad events in your app:

import { AdEventType, RewardedAdEventType } from 'react-native-google-mobile-ads';

// Handle ad close event
rewarded.addAdEventListener(AdEventType.CLOSED, () => {
  console.log('Ad closed');
});

// Handle ad load event
rewarded.addAdEventListener(RewardedAdEventType.LOADED, () => {
  console.log('Ad loaded successfully');
});

Testing Strategy

During development, use test IDs to ensure safe testing:

// Use test IDs for safe development
**DEV** ? TestIds.REWARDED : 'YOUR-LIVE-AD-UNIT-ID'

Conclusion

You've now successfully implemented the following AdMob features:

✅ AdMob initialization
✅ Rewarded ad workflow
✅ Banner ad integration
✅ Interstitial setup

Before publishing your app, remember to replace all test IDs with your actual AdMob unit IDs. For more advanced implementations, consider exploring:

• Frequency capping
• Adaptive banner sizing

Important: Always thoroughly test your ads and ensure compliance with AdMob policies to avoid any account restrictions.