React Native 0.73 What’s new ?

Today we’re releasing React Native 0.73!
This release adds improvements to debugging with Hermes, stable symlink support, Android 14 support, and new experimental features.

We are also deprecating legacy debugging features, and are releasing the next pillar of the New Architecture: Bridgeless Mode!

Highlights

• Debugging Improvements: The React Native and Hermes teams are committed to improving the debugging experience in React Native. Console Log History in Hermes :
• Stable Symlink Support in Metro :
• Kotlin Template on Android
• Android 14 Support
• New Architecture Updates
• Deprecated Debugging Features.

Debugging Improvements:

• Console Log History in Hermes:
• console.log() logs are now captured in the background.
• Easier observation of early app load logs.
• Compatible with Flipper, Chrome DevTools, and the new experimental debugger.

Updated Debugging Docs:

• Refreshed documentation with up-to-date information.
• Insights on connecting supported debuggers and using React DevTools.

Experimental New Debugger:

• A streamlined Chrome DevTools UI customized for debugging.
• Technical Preview available with instant opening.

Stable Symlink Support in Metro:

• Support for resolving symlinks in Metro now enabled by default.
• Seamless compatibility with monorepo setups and watchFolders.
• Works well with Fast Refresh and incurs minimal performance overhead during bundling.

Kotlin Template on Android:

• Kotlin is now the recommended language for Android apps.
• React Native template on Android updated to use Kotlin instead of Java.
• Smaller file sizes (36%) for MainActivity.kt and MainApplication.kt.

Android 14 Support:

• Full support for Android 14 (API Level 34).
• Java 17 and Android Gradle Plugin upgrade required.
• Grant partial access to photos and videos with the READ_MEDIA_VISUAL_USER_SELECTED permission.

New Architecture Updates:

• Introduction of Bridgeless Mode.
• Native Module Interop Layer for reusing old modules.
• Initial experimental release — feedback from users encouraged.

Deprecated Debugging Features:

• Gradual move away from Flipper as the default tool.
• Native Flipper integration deprecated; removal in the next release.
• Remote JavaScript Debugging deprecated, recommending Hermes for a consistent debugging experience.

Breaking Changes:

• Babel package renames for simplified maintenance.
• Minimum Node.js requirement raised to 18.x.
• TypeScript and Fresco updates.
• Minimum iOS version raised to 13.4.

React Native CLI Changes:

• Default task prefix changed in build-android command.
• Removal of fallback flows for Metro config defaults.
• Adjustments in command options for run-ios and build-android.

Acknowledgements:

• Over 2259 commits from 68 contributors.
• Thanks to the community for their hard work.

Upgrade to 0.73:

• Use React Native Upgrade Helper for code changes.
• Refer to Upgrading docs for existing projects.
• Create new projects with npx react-native@latest init MyProject.
• Expo SDK 50 release will support React Native 0.73.