---
title: Router settings
description: Learn how to configure layouts with static properties in Expo Router.
sidebar_title: Settings
hideTOC: true
---
> **warning** **Warning:** `unstable_settings` currently do not work with [async routes](/router/reference/async-routes/) (development-only). This is why the feature is designated _unstable_.
When deep linking to a route, you may want to provide a user with a "back" button. The `initialRouteName` sets the default screen of the stack and should match a valid filename (without the extension).
```tsx app/_layout.tsx
// Ensure any route can link back to `/`
initialRouteName: 'index',
};
return ;
}
```
Now deep linking directly to `/other` or reloading the page will continue to show the back arrow.
When using [array syntax](/router/advanced/shared-routes/#arrays) `(foo,bar)` you can specify the name of a group in the `unstable_settings` object to target a particular segment.
```tsx other.tsx
// Used for `(foo)`
initialRouteName: 'first',
// Used for `(bar)`
bar: {
initialRouteName: 'second',
},
};
```
The `initialRouteName` is only used when deep-linking to a route. During app navigation, the route you are navigating to will be the initial route. You can disable this behavior using the `initial` prop on the `` component or by passing the option to the imperative APIs.
```js
// If this navigates to a new _layout, don't override the initial route
;
router.push('/route', { overrideInitialScreen: false });
```
