React Native 0.80: Unleashing New Features and Improvements

The latest release of React Native 0.80 is finally here, bringing new feature advancements and performance boosts. The update heavily relies on React 19.1 integration, enabling coders to leverage features from the React ecosystem. Apart from this, it also includes significant modifications such as freezing the legacy architecture, introducing a new opt-in TypeScript API, and much more.

This update empowers programmers to create robust and cross-platform apps more easily and efficiently. This blog highlights the key improvements and feature updates of the latest React Native version that set the foundation for future framework development.

Features and Improvements in React Native 0.80

Let’s check out the essential feature additions to the framework and the performance enhancements made under the hood, helping developers boost performance and efficiency.

Ships with the Latest React Stable 19.1.0

The previous React Native 0.78 came with support for React 19. In the same way, the major update of this recent React Native version focuses on React 19.1.0. It comes with full support for React 19.1, introducing new features and enhancements from the core React library. A notable feature is owner stack, helping developers identify which component is responsible for a particular error. This makes debugging much easier in complex component hierarchies, resulting in rapid issue resolution.

Strict TypeScript API (Opt-in)

The recent React version comes with an opt-in strict TypeScript API that gives quite accurate and reliable type definitions, which are created directly from the source code. Programmers can utilize this feature by updating their tsconfig.json to use the new strict TypeScript. However, there might be a requirement for slight code modification. In brief, this enhancement enables React developers to enjoy a safer, cleaner, and future-ready typing experience.

Deprecated Deep Imports

The newer React native release moves towards stabilizing React native’s public JS API with the deprecation of deep imports. Means coders may notice warnings through ESLint and the JS console for imports from subpaths. Programmers can utilize root imports to decrease API surface area and ensure solidity. This modification showcases a broader effort to formalize the public API of React Native – where the future seems promising for a fully stable API via RFCs and deprecation cycle.

Legacy Architecture Frozen

The legacy architecture of React Native is now officially frozen, highlighting a shift toward the new architecture. This suggests no new bug fixes or features will be programmed for the legacy architecture, and it will no longer be tested through releases. Opting out of the New Architecture remains possible for bug or regression mitigation; however, warnings will now be displayed in React Native DevTools to mark APIs that are incompatible with the New Architecture.

iOS Build Optimization (Experimental)

Compiling the core and its dependencies has been a significant pain point for developers when building a React Native iOS app. Not anymore! The React 0.80 comes with an experimental prebuilt feature for iOS that decreases initial build times by approximately 12%. Developers can enable this by setting the RCT_USE_RN_DEP environment variable while installing the Pod. This will elevate the coder experience by reducing iOS build blocking. 

Smaller Android APKs

Android apps built with the latest React Native 0.80 version will notice a decrease in APK size up to 1 MB – which was possible with the Interprocedural Optimization (IPO). There is no any requirement for extra configuration for optimization. Users in regions with limited internet access will benefit from enhanced downloads and installation periods.

Simplified New App Template

Programmers who are not using the Expo but work with the Community CLI and Template, the latest React version has been moved to the New App Screen into its own package, with a fresh coat of paint. This will enable developers to mitigate particular boilerplate code when designing a new app using the Community Template to achieve a better experience when viewed on larger screens.

How to Update Your Project to React Native 0.80?

To update to the latest React Native version 0.80, follow the steps below.

1. Use the React Native Upgrade Helper

Visit the official site: https://react-native-community.github.io/upgrade-helper/

Now select the version from which you would like to upgrade to the latest version of React.

2. Update Dependencies & NPM Packages

Update the React Native version to 0.80 within your package.json and also update the dependencies as required for assured compatibility.

3. Update Native Code

Run npx react-native upgrade to automatically add the latest template changes. Analyze the changes and sort out those changes, if any are found.

4. Test Your App

Run your app on both Android and iOS platforms to ensure the app runs smoothly on both platforms. Also, check for type errors, component behaviour tweaks, or any errors.

5. Review & Fix Changes

If you find any errors, then fix those changes, and get help from the official React Native guide to review changes or other manual setups.

If you are starting a new project, then npx react-Native init will automatically utilize the 0.80 React Native version, which is the most recent stable version.

Other Breaking Changes Introduced

The latest React Native 0.80 version also introduces breaking changes that may impact your project code, so it's worth noting what’s in there.

Export Field in package.json

As of now, React naitive utilizes the exports field in the package.json manifest of react-native. Meanwhile, all JS subpaths are accessible by default; this modification may influence the resolutions of modules within the package.

JS Tooling

The eslint-plugin-react-hooks package has been re-equipped from v4.6.0 to v5.2.0. It may introduce new error indicators that should be addressed or suppressed.

Android

• The Kotlin version shipped with React Native to 2.1.20 version, driving new features that allow use in modules/components.
• The StandardCharsets class has been deleted, instead of this you can utilize the java.nio.charset.StandardCharsets class.
• Several classes have been migrated from Java to Kotlin. If you’re using any of these, you may need to adjust your code accordingly.

• All the classes inside com.facebook.react.devsupport
• com.facebook.react.bridge.ColorPropConverter
• com.facebook.react.views.textinput.ReactEditText
• com.facebook.react.views.textinput.ReactTextInputManager
• A number of classes are derived to internal and don't stand as a part of the Public API, which shouldn't be accessed.

com.facebook.react.fabric.StateWrapperImpl

com.facebook.react.modules.core.ChoreographerCompat

com.facebook.react.modules.common.ModuleDataCleaner

iOS

The RCTFloorPixelValue field is removed from RCTUtils.h – as the method was no longer helpful.

Conclusion

So that’s it. The new architecture, stabilized APIs, and performance improvements introduced by React Native 0.80, the latest version promises a more stable and performant future. The commitment of the React Native team towards faster and tiny releases in 2025 sets the foundation for quick access to new features and a smooth upgrading path.

Looking to upgrade your React Native project? Hire React Native developers from a vast talent pool of Lucent Innovation to smoothly upgrade your app to the latest version. Our programmers have deep industry expertise and experience in the field to help you build customized solutions as per your unique requirements.