🚀 React Native 0.76 & Expo SDK 52: The Ultimate Guide to the Latest Features and Updates for 2024

6 min readNov 17, 2024

As we near the end of 2024, the mobile development landscape has undergone some major transformations. React Native 0.76 and Expo SDK 52 have brought exciting new features, improvements, and optimizations that are sure to impact how we build and scale mobile applications in the coming year. If you’re a React Native developer or someone interested in mobile app development, now is the perfect time to dive into these updates and see how they’ll shape your development process moving forward.

🛠️ React Native 0.76: A Game-Changing Update with New Architecture

One of the biggest milestones for React Native in 2024 is the new stable architecture introduced in React Native 0.76. This update eliminates long-standing bottlenecks between JavaScript and native code, making your apps faster, more efficient, and more scalable.

What’s New in React Native 0.76?

For years, developers have struggled with performance slowdowns due to the old bridge architecture, which introduced delays in data exchange between JavaScript and native modules. In React Native 0.76, the old bridge is replaced with JSI (JavaScript Interface), which enables direct communication between JavaScript and native C++ code.

Key Benefits:

Reduced Latency: Direct function calls between JavaScript and native code means fewer delays and a more responsive app.
Improved Performance: Apps with heavy native module dependencies will see substantial performance gains.
Enhanced Scalability: The new architecture makes it easier to maintain and extend your app as it grows, especially for complex projects.

As we approach the end of the year, the new architecture in React Native 0.76 sets a strong foundation for mobile apps in 2025 and beyond. It’s a performance leap that developers can take advantage of immediately.

📦 Expo SDK 52: React Native 0.76 + New Features

If you’re using Expo to build React Native apps, Expo SDK 52 is the perfect companion to React Native 0.76, and it’s available just in time for the year-end push. Expo SDK 52 includes everything that makes React Native 0.76 powerful, but it also adds some essential updates and tools that simplify development and improve performance.

What’s New in Expo SDK 52?

New Architecture by Default: Starting with SDK 52, the new React Native architecture is enabled by default for all new projects. This change is a step toward a future where the new architecture will become the standard, making apps faster and more reliable. Existing projects can opt into the new architecture, and we recommend doing so once your app is stable on the older version.
Expo-Video: Expo SDK 52 introduces the expo-video library, now stable after a successful beta in SDK 51. This library provides a more powerful, reliable, and flexible API for video playback, with features like lock screen controls and Picture-in-Picture support for both iOS and Android.
Audio & File System Improvements: The new expo-audio library (in beta) simplifies audio integration, while expo-file-system/next introduces new, modern APIs that improve file handling performance and support more advanced features.
Image Handling Upgrades: The expo-image v2 library introduces a new useImage hook for better image preloading and metadata handling, improving the loading speed and responsiveness of apps that rely on heavy media content.
Expo Go Updates: With SDK 52, Expo Go is fully compatible with the new architecture, and you’ll benefit from its performance improvements. This update makes it easier to build, test, and run apps using the latest architecture without needing to worry about compatibility issues.

As we close out 2024, Expo SDK 52 brings all these improvements to the table, making it easier than ever to build fast, efficient, and scalable mobile apps with less configuration.

🔥 Expo Overhaul: Why You Should Consider Switching from React Native CLI

One of the most significant changes in React Native 0.76 is the deprecation of the React Native Community CLI. As Expo continues to mature, it’s now the recommended approach for managing React Native projects. Expo simplifies much of the process, reducing setup time and integrating many of the tools you need to build and deploy apps.

Key Benefits of Using Expo with React Native 0.76:

Simplified Setup: Expo handles a lot of the configuration for you, so you can focus more on coding and less on setup.
Unified Toolset: With Expo, you get built-in libraries for notifications, media handling, camera access, and more — everything you need, ready to go.
Faster Development: Expo’s hot reloading and live updates ensure that you can iterate faster and deliver updates with minimal downtime.

As we look toward 2025, Expo is clearly becoming the go-to tool for many developers, offering a streamlined, integrated development experience that works seamlessly with React Native 0.76.

⚡ How to Transition to the New React Native 0.76 Architecture

As we approach the end of 2024, now is the perfect time to update your existing projects and take full advantage of the new React Native architecture. Here’s how to make the transition as smooth as possible:

Steps to Transition:

Check Compatibility: Ensure that your project and all third-party libraries are compatible with React Native 0.76. Expo SDK 52 simplifies this by supporting the new architecture by default.
Update Dependencies: Review your app’s dependencies, especially those relying on the old bridge architecture. Look for updates or consider migrating to libraries that are compatible with the new JSI model.
Test Your App: Once you’ve updated to React Native 0.76, thoroughly test your app to ensure everything is functioning smoothly. The performance improvements should be noticeable, but testing is critical to ensure compatibility.

Why Make the Switch Now?

Performance Boost: Direct communication between JavaScript and native code reduces latency and improves performance, making your app feel faster and more responsive.
Future-Proofing: The new architecture will become the default for future versions of React Native, so making the switch now will help you stay ahead of the curve as new updates roll out in 2025.

📈 Why You Should Care About React Native 0.76 and Expo SDK 52

As we head into the final months of 2024, these updates aren’t just about adding flashy new features — they’re about improving the core aspects of React Native development. Whether you’re building your first app or managing a large production project, React Native 0.76 and Expo SDK 52 will help you build better apps with less effort.

What Makes React Native 0.76 & Expo SDK 52 Stand Out?

Improved Performance: React Native 0.76 introduces huge performance improvements, particularly for apps that rely on complex native modules.
Better Developer Experience: Expo SDK 52 improves the developer experience with faster build times, better tools, and seamless integration with React Native’s latest features.
Fewer Bottlenecks: The shift to the new architecture reduces JavaScript-to-native communication bottlenecks, making apps more responsive and scalable.

🔮 Looking Ahead: What’s Next for React Native and Expo?

As 2024 draws to a close, React Native and Expo have set the stage for even more innovations in 2025. Here’s what to look forward to:

Enhanced Native Module Support: Expect continued improvements in integrating native modules, which will make it easier to add custom native code or third-party libraries.
Better Debugging Tools: React Native and Expo are focusing on improving debugging and developer tooling, making it easier to identify and fix issues during development.
Ongoing Performance Enhancements: Performance remains a top priority, with both React Native and Expo continually refining their toolsets to ensure fast and efficient app development.

🎬 Conclusion: Time to Upgrade to React Native 0.76 and Expo SDK 52

With React Native 0.76 and Expo SDK 52, the end of 2024 is the perfect time to upgrade your mobile apps. These updates deliver major performance improvements, streamline your development workflow, and provide better scalability for future growth. Whether you’re starting a new project or upgrading an existing one, adopting these updates now will position you for success in 2025.

🌟 Let’s Hear From You!

Have you already made the switch to React Native 0.76 or Expo SDK 52? What do you think about the new architecture and features? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! 🚀