8 Major Updates in React Native 0.85 You Should Know About

React Native 0.85 has officially landed, bringing a host of new features, performance improvements, and necessary breaking changes. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just getting started with cross-platform mobile development, this release packs significant upgrades that will reshape your workflow. From a completely revamped animation engine to smarter developer tooling and enhanced security, here are the eight things you absolutely need to know about React Native 0.85.

1. New Shared Animation Backend

React Native 0.85 introduces a groundbreaking Shared Animation Backend, built in collaboration with Software Mansion. This new internal engine powers animations for both the classic Animated API and the more advanced Reanimated library. By moving the core animation update logic into React Native's core, the team has unlocked performance gains that were previously impossible. Reanimated can now leverage a properly tested reconciliation process, ensuring stability across future releases. For Animated users, the most exciting change is the ability to animate layout properties — like width, height, and flexbox values — using the native driver. This removes a long-standing limitation and makes animations smoother than ever. To opt in, enable the experimental channel (available starting from 0.85.1). Check the official docs for code examples.

2. React Native DevTools Gets a Major Upgrade

The developer experience receives a significant boost with multiple improvements to React Native DevTools. First, Multiple CDP Connections are now supported, meaning you can simultaneously connect React Native DevTools, VS Code, and even AI-powered agents to the same debugging session. This composability enables richer workflows without terminating existing connections. Second, the desktop app now compiles for macOS 26 and introduces native tab handling. Power users can merge DevTools windows via Window > Merge All Windows for a more organized workspace. Finally, on Android, request body previews in the Network Panel have been restored after a prior regression — a welcome fix for debugging API calls.

3. Metro Dev Server Now Supports TLS

Security during development gets a boost with Metro’s new TLS support. The Metro dev server can now accept a TLS configuration object, enabling HTTPS for the dev server and WSS (WebSocket Secure) for Fast Refresh. This is especially useful when testing features that require a secure context, such as service workers or geolocation, directly on your development device. Simply pass the TLS options in your Metro configuration, and you're set.

4. Jest Preset Moved to a Dedicated Package

Breaking change: The Jest preset that was previously bundled with react-native has been extracted to its own package. If your project uses Jest for testing, you'll need to update your configuration. Install the new package via npm install --save-dev @react-native/jest-preset or yarn add --dev @react-native/jest-preset. Then, update your jest.config.js to point to preset: '@react-native/jest-preset'. This change reduces the core package size and allows the preset to evolve independently.

5. Dropped Support for End-of-Life Node.js Versions

To keep the toolchain modern and secure, React Native 0.85 drops support for Node.js versions that have reached end-of-life (EOL). Specifically, versions prior to 18 are no longer supported. If you're still using Node.js 16 or earlier, you'll need to upgrade to at least version 18 before upgrading React Native. This aligns with the Node.js release schedule and ensures that React Native benefits from the latest performance and security patches.

6. StyleSheet.absoluteFillObject Removed

Another breaking change: the StyleSheet.absoluteFillObject method has been removed. This method was previously used as a shorthand for absolute positioning that fills the parent. To achieve the same effect, use StyleSheet.absoluteFill (a style object) or manually set position: 'absolute', top: 0, left: 0, right: 0, bottom: 0. The removal streamlines the API and encourages use of the more standard absoluteFill approach.

7. Additional Breaking Changes

Beyond the major items listed above, React Native 0.85 includes several other breaking changes that may affect your codebase. They involve deprecated API removals, iOS and Android specific adjustments, and updates to the native modules system. Check the full changelog for a complete list, but be aware that some third-party libraries may need updates to remain compatible. As always, test your app thoroughly after upgrading.

8. Performance and Stability Enhancements

While the new animation backend takes the spotlight, React Native 0.85 also includes numerous under-the-hood performance and stability improvements. The reconciliation process for animations is now more robust, reducing potential jank. Additionally, the removal of deprecated code paths results in a leaner runtime. These changes lay the groundwork for future optimizations and make React Native a more reliable platform for building cross-platform apps.

React Native 0.85 represents a leap forward in animation performance, developer tooling, and security. While some breaking changes require attention, the benefits — especially the new animation backend — make the upgrade worthwhile. Start testing today by checking the official release notes and the migration guide.