React Native 0.82 Update: New Architecture, Hermes V1 & React 19.1.1

Home
Blog
React Native 0.82 — A...

TL;DR

React Native 0.82 is the first release that fully runs on the New Architecture, with Legacy Arch no longer selectable.
Introduces experimental Hermes V1, offering noticeable performance improvements for bundle size and startup time.
Upgrades to React 19.1.1, enhancing Suspense and concurrent features with more predictable behavior.
Native refs now expose DOM-like APIs (getBoundingClientRect, parentNode, ownerDocument, etc.), improving web parity.
Upgrade guidance: use Upgrade Helper, migrate via 0.81 if still on Legacy Architecture.

Introduction

The React Native team continues its mission to modernize the framework with the release of React Native 0.82 (October 8, 2025). This release marks a turning point — the Legacy Architecture is officially deprecated and removed, making the New Architecture the only supported runtime.

For businesses building or maintaining cross-platform apps, this update is especially relevant. Partnering with an experienced React Native app development company can help you leverage these advancements effectively—ensuring smooth migrations, optimized performance, and future-ready app architecture.

React Native 0.82 not only simplifies the internal structure of the framework but also introduces Hermes V1 (an experimental next-generation JavaScript engine), upgrades React to 19.1.1, and expands the API surface of native refs to behave more like DOM elements. Together, these changes push React Native closer to a unified development model between web and mobile.

Together, these changes push React Native closer to a unified development model between web and mobile. For startups aiming to validate ideas quickly with scalable mobile apps, our detailed guide on using React Native for startup businesses explains how the framework accelerates MVP launches and reduces development costs.

Let’s dive into what’s new, what’s changed, and how to upgrade safely.

The End of Legacy Architecture

With version 0.82, React Native now runs exclusively on the New Architecture. This shift removes the toggle that allowed developers to disable it (newArchEnabled=false), effectively ending support for the older architecture.

Why this matters:

Simpler and smaller core: Dropping Legacy code reduces framework size and improves maintainability.
Unified development experience: Every React Native app now runs on the same underlying model.
Future-ready foundation: All future features and optimizations will target the New Architecture exclusively.

If your app still uses Legacy Architecture, the React Native team recommends first upgrading to version 0.81 or Expo SDK 54, enabling the New Architecture there, testing thoroughly, and then proceeding to 0.82.

This staged migration minimizes risk and ensures compatibility with all updated libraries.

Experimental Hermes V1 — Faster and Smarter

React Native 0.82 debuts Hermes V1 as an opt-in experimental feature, representing a major step forward for JavaScript performance in mobile apps. Hermes V1 brings compiler and runtime improvements that reduce bundle load time and Time-to-Interactive (TTI), as demonstrated by early adopters like Expensify.

However, Hermes V1 is not yet included in precompiled React Native binaries — it must be built from source. Developers need to explicitly override the compiler version and enable it per platform.

Example configuration:

package.json

"resolutions": {

  "hermes-compiler": "250829098.0.1"

},

"overrides": {

  "hermes-compiler": "250829098.0.1"

}

Android (gradle.properties)

hermesV1Enabled=true

iOS

RCT_HERMES_V1_ENABLED=1 bundle exec pod install

To verify runtime:

HermesInternal.getRuntimeProperties()['OSS Release Version']; // expect "250829098.0.1"

Although optional, Hermes V1 hints at the future of React Native performance. Once it stabilizes, developers can expect it to become the default runtime, replacing Hermes 0.x.

To learn more about improving runtime efficiency, memory usage, and render speed, explore our React Native performance optimization guide

React 19.1.1 — More Stable Suspense and Concurrent Features

React Native 0.82 ships with React 19.1.1, aligning the framework with the latest stable React features. This brings significant fixes and improvements:

Owner Stacks enabled by default, improving debugging and stack traces across environments.
Fixed inconsistent behaviors for useDeferredValue and startTransition when using Suspense.
Enhanced React Compiler compatibility for projects adopting the new JSX Transform.

These updates make React Native’s concurrency and rendering behaviors more predictable, ensuring parity with React DOM and improving overall stability in complex UI interactions.

Developers can further streamline state and effect management with Hooks — explore the benefits of React Native Hooks to simplify logic and improve code reusability.

DOM-Like APIs for Native Refs

One of the most developer-friendly updates in 0.82 is the introduction of DOM-like APIs for native refs.

Previously, React Native’s refs were limited to a few platform-specific methods like measure or setNativeProps. Now, components expose a subset of familiar DOM Node APIs, including:

parentNode
children
getBoundingClientRect()
ownerDocument
getElementById()

This enhancement makes it easier to write cross-platform logic that feels consistent with web development. The legacy methods remain fully supported, ensuring backward compatibility.

For teams focusing on layout adaptability and cross-device experiences, check out our insights on responsive design in React Native.

Additional Enhancements

Beyond the main highlights, React Native 0.82 introduces several smaller but meaningful improvements:

New Android Debug Build Type: Optimized debug performance with faster rebuilds.
Web Performance APIs (Canary): Early experimentation with APIs that align web and native profiling.
Improved Error Handling: Uncaught Promise rejections now surface in console.error for easier debugging.
Reduced Package Size: Removal of legacy interop code contributes to leaner builds and faster installs.

These refinements reflect the ongoing focus on developer experience and framework consistency.

Migration and Upgrade Guide

If your project still runs on Legacy Architecture, upgrading requires careful planning.

Recommended path:

Upgrade to React Native 0.81 or Expo SDK 54.
Enable the New Architecture (RCT_NEW_ARCH_ENABLED=1) and test all modules.
Resolve compatibility issues in third-party libraries.
Upgrade to React Native 0.82 and verify stability.

To assist, use the React Native Upgrade Helper — it visually compares versions and highlights necessary code changes.

If you maintain libraries, ensure compatibility by removing Legacy-specific code and validating your packages with the New Architecture. The React Native team also provides documentation and interop layers to help with this migration.

Why This Release Matters

React Native 0.82 signifies a new chapter for the framework — one focused on consistency, performance, and modernization.

By fully embracing the New Architecture, React Native now delivers a simpler internal model, faster JS runtime, and greater parity with React DOM. For developers, this means easier maintenance, better performance, and more predictable behavior across platforms.

The deprecation of the Legacy Architecture might require short-term migration effort, but it sets the foundation for long-term stability and innovation.

If you’re managing a production app, this release is your cue to invest in migration. If you’re starting fresh, React Native 0.82 gives you the cleanest, fastest, and most future-ready foundation yet.

Conclusion

React Native 0.82 isn’t just another version bump — it’s a structural milestone. By removing the Legacy Architecture, introducing experimental Hermes V1, upgrading to React 19.1.1, and improving native ref APIs, the framework is positioned for a faster, more unified future.

For developers, the key takeaway is clear: the New Architecture is here to stay. Migrating now ensures your app stays compatible with upcoming releases and benefits from the framework’s ongoing improvements.

If you’re planning to upgrade or build a new cross-platform app, collaborating with experienced React Native developers can help you transition smoothly while maximizing performance and maintainability.

At Creole Studios, our team offers end-to-end React Native expertise — from modernization and migration to performance optimization. Book a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your app goals and explore how we can help you make the most of React Native 0.82.

React Native 0.82 sets a strong precedent for the next evolution — cleaner internals, modern APIs, and enhanced performance — proving that the framework continues to grow in both capability and confidence.

FAQs

Q1: Is the Legacy Architecture still supported in 0.82?

No. React Native 0.82 runs exclusively on the New Architecture. Any attempt to disable it will be ignored.

Q2: How do I enable Hermes V1?

Hermes V1 is experimental and requires building React Native from source. Override the hermes-compiler version in package.json and enable it in platform-specific configs (hermesV1Enabled=true for Android, RCT_HERMES_V1_ENABLED=1 for iOS).

Q3: Are DOM-like APIs replacing existing native methods?

No, legacy methods like measure still exist. The new DOM-like APIs are additive, giving developers more flexibility and web-like parity.

Q4: What should I do if my dependencies don’t support the New Architecture?

Check if the library has been updated recently. If not, contact the maintainer or contribute migration support. React Native’s interop layer will still allow some backward compatibility.

Q5: Where can I find official upgrade resources?

Visit the React Native Upgrade Helper and the official 0.82 release blog for detailed migration steps and changelog references.

React Native