What's new in React Native 0.76+ (New Architecture default, Yoga 3, latest React 19 alignment)?

Question

Accepted Answer

React Native ships every ~2 months. Versions 0.74 → 0.76 → 0.77+ are the inflection point: the New Architecture went from opt-in to default . RN 0.74 (April 2024): Yoga 3 — new layout engine alignment with web Flexbox (correct flex-basis , aspect-ratio , percentages). Bridgeless Mode opt-in; batched onLayout updates; LogBox modernization. RN 0.76 (October 2024) — the big one: New Architecture is the DEFAULT for new projects (Fabric + TurboModules + JSI + Bridgeless all on). Most popular community libraries have shipped New-Arch-compatible versions. Better React DevTools integration and a new debugging UI replacing Flipper. RN 0.77+ (2025 onwards): Alignment with React 19 (Actions, useActionState , the React Compiler, ref-as-prop). Continued Hermes improvements and incremental New Architecture polish. Old Architecture remains available but is on the deprecation runway. The headline answer is: 'Starting RN 0.76 (October 2024), the New Architecture is the **default** for new apps' — that's the inflection point everyone references in 2026. Don't just memorize a version list; pick 3-4 themes (New Arch default, Yoga 3 / Bridgeless, React 19 alignment, DevTools / Hermes improvements) and speak to each.