Did you know that React Native powers apps used by over a billion people worldwide, including Facebook, Instagram, and Shopify? Now, the framework has taken another big leap forward with the release of React Native 0.81.
If you’re a developer building mobile apps in 2025, here’s what you need to know about this game-changing update.
Key Highlights of React Native 0.81
1. Support for Android 16
Google recently rolled out Android 16 (API level 36), and React Native is keeping pace. Version 0.81 now fully supports Android 16, ensuring apps meet Google’s latest requirements for edge-to-edge displays.
⚠️ Important: The long-used <SafeAreaView> component has been deprecated. Developers are encouraged to migrate to community solutions like react-native-safe-area-context to properly handle notches, rounded corners, and gesture navigation.
2. Up to 10× Faster iOS Builds
One of the biggest pain points in app development has always been slow build times. React Native 0.81 addresses this with experimental precompiled iOS builds, a collaboration between Meta and Expo.
Early adopters are reporting up to 10× faster builds, which means less waiting and more coding.
3. JavaScriptCore (JSC) Moves to the Community
Previously bundled directly with React Native, JavaScriptCore is now maintained as a separate community package.
For developers, this means:
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More flexibility in choosing JS engines
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Easier updates and independent improvements
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But also a need to explicitly install JSC if your project requires it
4. New Minimum Requirements
With this release, React Native is raising the bar:
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Node.js: version 20.19.4 or higher
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Xcode: version 16.1 or higher
If your development environment isn’t updated, you’ll need to upgrade before moving to 0.81.
What This Means for Developers
This update isn’t just about new features — it’s about future-proofing your apps. With Android 16 becoming the new standard, Apple hardware pushing for faster cycles, and React Native’s architecture evolving, developers who upgrade now will be ahead of the curve.
If you’re managing production apps, start testing your codebase against React Native 0.81 as soon as possible. Pay close attention to:
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Layouts that depend on SafeAreaView
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CI/CD pipelines that may break due to Node or Xcode upgrades
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Build speeds on iOS projects (a huge win for teams)
Final Thoughts
React Native 0.81 marks a major milestone in cross-platform development. It shows the framework’s commitment to keeping pace with mobile OS changes while also making life easier for developers with faster builds and flexible JS engines.
For startups and enterprises alike, staying updated means fewer headaches, better performance, and longer app lifespans.
At Appfur, we’re already adopting 0.81 in our projects to deliver faster, more efficient, and future-ready apps for our clients. If you’re looking to upgrade your app or build something new with the latest React Native features, our team is here to help.
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