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