React Native 2025: What’s New, What’s Changed & How to Use It

Introduction

React Native has emerged as one of the most popular frameworks for building cross-platform mobile apps. It allows developers to write a single codebase in JavaScript/React and deploy it on both Android and iOS. In 2025, React Native introduces significant updates including the New Architecture, Hermes V1, and React 19, making apps faster, more efficient, and easier to maintain.

This blog provides a detailed overview of what’s new, why it matters, and how developers can implement it effectively. Whether you are upgrading an existing project or starting fresh, this guide covers everything you need to know.

What’s New in React Native 2025

1. New Architecture Only (Legacy Architecture Removed)

• React Native 0.82 fully adopts the New Architecture, removing the older Legacy Architecture.
• Key components of the New Architecture:
  • Fabric Renderer: Concurrent UI rendering for smoother animations.
  • TurboModules: Faster, asynchronous native module communication.
  • New JS ↔ Native Bridge: Efficient communication between JavaScript and native code.
• Apps using the New Architecture experience faster startup, reduced crashes, and improved performance.

2. Hermes V1 — High-Performance JS Engine

• Hermes V1 is optimized for mobile performance, particularly in JS-heavy applications.
• Benefits include:
  • Faster app startup
  • Reduced memory consumption
  • Improved runtime execution for complex operations
• Ideal for real-time apps, content-heavy apps, and enterprise solutions.

3. Upgrade to React 19.1.1

• React Native 0.82 integrates React 19, unlocking:
  • New React Hooks improvements
  • Concurrent rendering capabilities
  • Compatibility with modern React libraries
• Developers can build modular, reactive components and leverage the latest ecosystem features.

4. DOM-like Node APIs for Native Components

• Provides familiar APIs (parentNode, getBoundingClientRect) for developers coming from web React.
• Simplifies cross-platform code sharing and reduces learning curve for web developers moving to mobile.

5. Build & Performance Enhancements

• Interprocedural Optimization (IPO) reduces APK/IPA sizes.
• Modernized build templates and faster development servers streamline development workflow.
• Improved logging and debugging tools help developers identify issues quickly.

6. Enhanced Developer Experience

• Better component inspection tools and error messages.
• Modern project templates reduce repetitive boilerplate code.
• Easier integration with third-party libraries that support New Architecture.

Benefits of React Native 2025

Benefit	Explanation
Faster Performance & UI Responsiveness	New Architecture + Hermes ensures smoother animations and faster execution.
Reduced App Size	Smaller APK/IPA sizes improve user experience and reduce download times.
Future-Proof Codebase	Apps built with New Architecture are more compatible with upcoming OS versions and library updates.
Cross-Platform Consistency	DOM-like APIs and unified bridges maintain consistent behavior across Android and iOS.
Developer Productivity	Faster builds, better debugging, and modern templates save time.
Access to Latest React Features	React 19 integration allows use of new Hooks, concurrent rendering, and better library support.

Upgrade / Best Practices for 2025

1. Start new projects with React Native 0.82+.
2. Enable New Architecture (Fabric + TurboModules).
3. Use Hermes V1 for performance-critical apps.
4. Upgrade to React 19.
5. Optimize builds using IPO and clean packaging.
6. Ensure all dependencies are compatible with New Architecture.
7. Test apps on multiple devices and OS versions.
8. Use modern debugging tools and DevTools.
9. Structure code modularly for maintainability.
10. Monitor memory usage and performance regularly.

Recommended Project Setup Script (Step-by-Step)

Follow this script for a clean, professional React Native 0.82 setup:

1. Pre-requisites

• Node.js ≥ 20.x
• Yarn ≥ 1.22 / NPM ≥ 9.x
• Android Studio (Android)
• Xcode 15+ (iOS)
• Java JDK 17+
• Gradle 8.x

2. Create a New React Native Project

npm install -g react-native-cli
npx react-native init MyNewApp --version 0.82.0
cd MyNewApp

3. Enable New Architecture

# iOS Podfile
use_react_native!(:path => config[:reactNativePath], :hermes_enabled => true, :fabric_enabled => true)

# Android gradle.properties
newArchEnabled=true

4. Enable Hermes V1

# Android build.gradle
project.ext.react = [ enableHermes: true ]

Install pods for iOS:

cd ios
pod install
cd ..

5. Upgrade / Verify React Version

npm install [email protected]
npm list react  # should show 19.1.1

6. Android 16 / Latest SDK Support

compileSdkVersion 36
targetSdkVersion 36

7. iOS Setup

platform :ios, '15.0'
cd ios
pod install
cd ..

8. Clean Build & Cache Clear

npm cache clean --force
yarn cache clean
npx react-native start --reset-cache

cd android
./gradlew clean
cd ..

cd ios
xcodebuild clean
cd ..

9. Run the App

npx react-native start
npx react-native run-android
npx react-native run-ios

10. Recommended Libraries

• Navigation: @react-navigation/native
• State Management: react-redux or zustand
• UI: react-native-reanimated, react-native-gesture-handler
• Networking: axios or react-query
• Animations: lottie-react-native

Ensure all libraries are New Architecture compatible.

Common Pitfalls / Things to Watch Out For

• Some third-party libraries may not fully support New Architecture yet.
• Hermes V1 is experimental — thorough testing is recommended.
• Legacy apps may require significant refactoring to upgrade.
• Layout or rendering differences may occur — test across devices.

When to Choose React Native (2025)

• Cross-platform apps such as business apps, e-commerce, content apps.
• Projects requiring shared codebase for iOS and Android.
• Startups or MVPs needing fast development cycles.
• Apps that require smooth UI and reliable performance without fully native development.

Final Thoughts

React Native 2025 is faster, more efficient, and future-ready. By adopting:

• React Native 0.82+
• New Architecture (Fabric + TurboModules)
• Hermes V1
• React 19

…developers can build high-performance, maintainable, cross-platform mobile apps. Integrating the setup script ensures you follow best practices, reduce errors, and create a modern application that is optimized for both Android and iOS in 2025.