React Native 0.81: What's New?
React Native 0.81 focuses on improving performance and aligning with platform advancements in Android and iOS. This release isn't packed with flashy new APIs but delivers crucial updates developers have been requesting.
Key Improvements:
- Edge-to-Edge Display: The framework now defaults to an edge-to-edge display on Android 16, deprecating the old
<SafeAreaView>component. Consider migrating toreact-native-safe-area-context. - Faster iOS Compiles: Experimental support for precompiled iOS builds (a collaboration between Meta and Expo) significantly reduces compile times—up to ten times faster in many cases!
- Improved Debugging: Uncaught JavaScript errors now provide richer context in DevTools, including stack traces and component origins.
- Predictive Back Gestures: Enabled by default on Android, requiring testing of app navigation and potential adjustments to custom back-handling code.
- Large Screen Layouts: Start planning for responsive designs on larger screens; this will become increasingly important.
- JavaScriptCore (JSC) Engine: Moved to a separate, community-maintained package; Hermes remains the default.
Breaking Changes & Considerations:
- Node.js and Xcode Updates: Ensure you're using Node.js version 20 and Xcode 16.1 or later.
RN_SERIALIZABLE_STATEMacro: Library authors need to update custom CMake files for correct C++ compilation.
This release brings significant performance enhancements and crucial updates to keep pace with platform changes. Thorough testing is advised, particularly regarding navigation and large-screen layouts.
Comments
Join Our Community
Sign up to share your thoughts, engage with others, and become part of our growing community.
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts and start the conversation!