Faster iOS Builds with Precompiled XCFrameworks

Expo SDK 56 introduces precompiled Expo modules on iOS using XCFrameworks, significantly reducing native build overhead by default, both locally and on EAS Build, without requiring configuration changes. This marks the start of a transition from CocoaPods to Swift Package Manager (Swift PM), Apple's modern dependency management system, aiming to solve issues related to legacy infrastructure and expensive native builds. By distributing many Expo modules as precompiled XCFrameworks, repeated native compilation work is reduced, resulting in faster local iterations and EAS Builds. Challenges in shifting from a CocoaPods environment to modular XCFrameworks include adapting Expo Modules Core to be compatible with Swift PM, addressing architectural issues such as illegal header exports, and resolving Swift and Objective-C cycles. Additionally, infrastructure improvements like automatically generating Package.swift files and supporting both CocoaPods and Swift PM ensure a smooth transition. This modernization effort is part of a broader initiative to enhance Expo's integration with Apple's development ecosystem, aiming for faster builds, improved tooling, and a future eventually free of CocoaPods dependencies.

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