Migrating to React Native 0.82: Unlocking the Full Power of the New Architecture in Expo Apps

#reactnative #programming #typescript #react

As of October 8, 2025, React Native 0.82 has officially landed, marking a pivotal shift in cross-platform mobile development. This release isn’t just another incremental update; it’s the dawn of a “new era” where the New Architecture becomes the default and only option, phasing out legacy systems for good. For Expo users, this means enhanced performance, better tooling, and future-proofing your apps, but it also requires a thoughtful migration strategy. [reactnative.dev]

In this guide, we’ll dive into what’s new in 0.82, why the New Architecture matters (especially for Expo workflows), and a step-by-step migration process drawn from official docs and community insights. Whether you’re building a simple prototype or a production-scale app, upgrading unlocks smoother animations, faster renders, and access to cutting-edge features like React 19 integrations.

What’s New in React Native 0.82?

React Native 0.82 builds on the foundation laid in previous versions, with over 868 commits from 93 contributors. Here’s a breakdown of the headline features:

1. New Architecture as Default:

No more toggling 0.82 enforces the New Architecture, ignoring any disable flags. This refactor addresses long-standing limitations, enabling synchronous execution, better concurrency, and improved native module interactions via Fabric (renderer) and TurboModules (native modules).

2. Experimental Hermes V1:

A major evolution of the Hermes JS engine, offering up to 9% faster bundle loads and 7.6% quicker Time to Interactive (TTI) on Android low-end devices. It’s experimental and requires building from source, but early benchmarks show real-world gains.

3. React 19.1.1 Integration:

Full support for owner stacks in error reporting and fixed behaviors for useDeferredValue and startTransition in Suspense boundaries, aligning React Native more closely with web paradigms.

4. DOM Node APIs:

Refs now expose DOM-like nodes for UI tree traversal, layout measurement, and more think parentNode, getBoundingClientRect(), and text node access.

Other Enhancements:

Canary support for web performance APIs (e.g., performance.now()), an optimized Android debug build variant for smoother dev iterations, and breaking changes like uncaught promise rejections now log errors.

For Expo specifically, 0.82 is available via expo@canary releases, with the upcoming SDK 55 set to include React Native 0.83. If you’re on SDK 54 (which ships with 0.81), it’s the last version supporting the legacy architecture, perfect as a stepping stone.

Understanding the New Architecture

The New Architecture is a ground-up refactor of React Native’s internals, born from years of production learnings at Meta and beyond. It replaces the old bridge-based system with:

Fabric: A new renderer that enables synchronous execution between JS and native, reducing jank and supporting advanced features like concurrent rendering.
TurboModules: On-demand loading of native modules, cutting startup times and allowing typed interfaces for better dev ergonomics.
Codegen: Automated code generation for seamless JS-native interop.

In Expo, this translates to broader compatibility; all expo-* packages support it since SDK 53, and about 75% of SDK 52+ projects on EAS Build already use it. The legacy architecture may be fully removed by late 2025, so migrating now ensures you can leverage new React features like full Suspense support and enhanced styling.

Benefits for Expo Apps

Upgrading isn’t just about compliance; it’s about gains:

Hermes V1 adds another layer, with benchmarks showing 2.5–9% TTI improvements. For Expo users, the managed workflow makes enabling this straightforward, minimizing native code hassles.

Prerequisites for Migration

Before diving in:

Upgrade to a Compatible Version: Start with React Native 0.81 or Expo SDK 54 if you’re not on the New Architecture yet — these are the last to support legacy mode.
Check Dependencies: Run npx expo-doctor@latest to validate compatibility via React Native Directory. Exclude or update incompatible libs (e.g., replace react-native-maps with expo-maps if needed).
Backup Your Project: Git commit or branch before changes.
Expo-Specific: Use SDK 53+ for default New Arch support; for SDK 52, manual config required.

Step-by-Step Migration Guide

Follow these steps to migrate your Expo app to React Native 0.82 with the New Architecture:

Enable New Architecture in Current Version:

In app.json or app.config.js, add “expo”: { “newArchEnabled”: true } (or platform-specific).
Run npx expo prebuild --clean to generate native projects.
Build and test: npx expo run:android or npx expo run:ios (or use EAS: eas build -p all).
Verify functionality; fix any native module issues using interop layers.

Upgrade to React Native 0.82:

Update package.json: Set “react-native”: “0.82.0”.
For Expo, install canary: npm install expo@canary (until SDK 55 releases).
Run npx expo install --fix to align dependencies.
Use the Upgrade Helper tool for diff: https://react-native-community.github.io/upgrade-helper/?from=0.81.0&to=0.82.0.

Handle Breaking Changes:

Update promise handling for new error logging.
Migrate any custom native code to TurboModules/Fabric.
For Hermes V1 (optional): Add resolutions in package.json and configure builds as per the docs.

Test Thoroughly:

Run unit/integration tests.
Profile performance with new APIs.
On iOS/Android emulators, check for jank or crashes.

Deploy and Monitor:

Build with EAS or locally.
Monitor crashes via tools like Sentry, watching for New Arch-specific issues.

If using bare React Native (outside Expo), set flags in gradle.properties (Android) and Podfile.properties.json (iOS).

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Incompatible Libraries: Use React Native Directory to check; fall back to interop or forks. Common culprits: react-native-fs, react-native-geolocation-service, swap with Expo alternatives.
Build Failures: Update to the latest lib versions; clean caches with npx expo prebuild clean.
Performance Regressions: Rare, but test on low-end devices. Enable Hermes V1 for boosts.
Expo Go Limitations: It only supports the New Arch use development builds for testing.

Report bugs to React Native or Expo repos with minimal repros.

Conclusion

Migrating to React Native 0.82 in Expo is more than an upgrade; it’s an investment in faster, more reliable apps. By enforcing the New Architecture, this release paves the way for innovation while shedding legacy baggage. Start with SDK 54 if needed, enable the New Arch, and leverage canary for 0.82 today. Your users (and your dev team) will thank you.

Have questions or hit a snag? Drop a comment below, I’d love to hear your migration stories! For more, check the official RN blog and Expo docs. 🚀