<p>React Native 0.85 introduces several improvements focused on performance and developer experience. The biggest highlight is a new shared animation backend built with Software Mansion, which unifies <code>Animated</code> and <code>Reanimated</code> and now allows smooth animation of layout and Flexbox properties using the native driver. TextInput events have been enhanced so <code>onChange</code> now includes selection (cursor) data, making text handling more powerful. The Jest testing preset has been moved to a separate <code>@react-native/jest-preset</code> package, requiring a simple one-line configuration update, while Metro now supports HTTPS for secure development workflows. DevTools have also been improved with support for multiple simultaneous debugging connections and native macOS tabs. On the breaking changes side, support for older Node.js versions (v21, v23, and versions below 20.19.4) has been dropped, <code>StyleSheet.absoluteFillObject</code> has been removed, and legacy Android and iOS architecture code has been cleaned up; overall, the release includes 604 commits from 58 contributors.
<a href="https://reactnative.dev/blog/2026/04/07/react-native-0.85" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Check here</a></p>


Haris Patel

React Native 0.85 ships with a new shared animation backend co-built with Software Mansion that unifies Animated and Reanimated, enabling smooth native-driver animation of layout and Flexbox properties. TextInput's onChange event now includes cursor/selection data. The Jest preset has been extracted to a dedicated @react-native/jest-preset package, Metro gains HTTPS support, and DevTools now handle multiple simultaneous debug connections with native macOS tabs. Breaking changes include dropping Node.js versions below 20.19.4 (and v21/v23), removal of StyleSheet.absoluteFillObject, and cleanup of legacy Android/iOS architecture code. The release totals 604 commits from 58 contributors.

What’s New in React Native 0.85? A Quick Overview