React Native 0.82 marks a historic turning point: it's the first version that ships with the New Architecture only. The old architecture (Bridge) is completely removed, simplifying the ecosystem and aligning all libraries around TurboModules and Fabric. Meanwhile, support for TV platforms (tvOS, Android TV, Tizen) reaches production-ready maturity. This guide explores the changes, impact on your projects and the TV Apps boom.
What is the New Architecture?
React Native's New Architecture rests on three pillars:
- Fabric: new rendering system (UI Manager) that replaces the Bridge for synchronous communication with native components
- TurboModules: native modules loaded on demand (lazy loading) with integrated TypeScript/Flow typing
- JSI (JavaScript Interface): C++ layer enabling direct communication between JS and native without JSON serialization
Why Remove the Old Architecture?
The Bridge (old architecture) had several limitations:
- Performance: JSON serialization/deserialization on every JS ↔ Native call
- Forced async: all calls were async, making certain patterns impossible
- Difficult debugging: unclear stack traces, complex profiling
- Bundle size: everything loaded at startup
Measurable Performance Gains
| Metric | Bridge (0.71) | New Arch (0.82) | Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startup time | 1200ms | 850ms | -29% |
| List scroll (FPS) | 55 FPS | 60 FPS | Constant 60 |
| JS → Native call | ~5ms | ~0.1ms | -98% |
| Memory usage | 120MB | 95MB | -21% |
Migrating to React Native 0.82
Step 1: Dependency Audit
Check your dependencies' compatibility with New Architecture:
npx react-native-community-cli doctorMain updated libraries:
- React Navigation 7.0+: native TurboModules support
- React Native Reanimated 3.8+: improved performance with Fabric
- React Native Gesture Handler 2.15+: optimized native gestures
- React Native SVG 15.0+: Fabric rendering
- AsyncStorage 2.0+: native TurboModule
Step 2: Progressive Activation
Enable New Architecture via feature flag:
// Android: gradle.properties
newArchEnabled=true
// iOS: Podfile
use_frameworks! :linkage => :static
ENV['RCT_NEW_ARCH_ENABLED'] = '1'Step 3: Testing and Validation
- Thoroughly test critical features (payment, auth, navigation)
- Profile with Flashlight or React DevTools Profiler
- Validate animations (Reanimated, Lottie)
- Check custom native modules
TV Apps: A Growing Market
React Native 0.82 brings production-ready support for TV platforms:
Supported Platforms
| Platform | SDK | API Level | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| tvOS | React Native tvOS 0.82 | tvOS 15+ | Siri Remote, Focus Engine |
| Android TV | React Native 0.82 core | API 26+ | D-pad, Leanback |
| Tizen (Samsung TV) | React Native Tizen 1.0 | Tizen 6.5+ | Tizen Remote, WebAssembly |
| Fire TV | React Native 0.82 + Fire TV SDK | Fire OS 7+ | Alexa Voice |
TV Development Tools
- React Native TV Focus: focus management (D-pad/Remote navigation)
- FlashList 2.1: high-performance lists for content grids
- React Native Skia: advanced graphics rendering (Canvas, complex animations)
- Detox 20.43: E2E tests for tvOS and Android TV
TV Apps Use Cases
- SVOD: streaming platforms (Netflix-like)
- AVOD: ad-supported video (YouTube-like)
- Live TV: live channels (IPTV)
- E-commerce: TV shopping (QVC-like)
- Gaming: casual games
VOID Feedback
At VOID, we migrated 2 React Native applications (banking and e-commerce sectors) to version 0.82:
- 32% reduced startup time on average (850ms → 580ms on mid-range Android)
- Constant 60 FPS on complex lists and scrolls (FlashList + Fabric)
- 45% fewer crashes (increased New Architecture stability)
- 18% reduced bundle size thanks to TurboModules lazy loading
React Native 0.82 FAQ
Can I migrate progressively?
No, React Native 0.82 completely removes the Bridge. Migration must be complete. Test on 0.78-0.81 with both architectures before migrating.
Will my custom native modules work?
You'll need to migrate them to TurboModules. The React Native Community CLI offers a migration tool: npx @react-native-community/cli migrate-to-turbo-modules.
Are performances guaranteed on low-end Android?
Yes, benchmarks show gains even on Android Go (1GB RAM). New Architecture reduces memory pressure.
How to test on TV?
Use emulators (Android TV AVD, tvOS Simulator) or physical devices. Detox 20.43+ supports E2E tests on TV.
Resources and Tools
- Official documentation: reactnative.dev
- Migration guide: New Architecture Guide
- React Native TV: GitHub tvOS
- FlashList: Shopify FlashList
Need React Native Expertise?
Our VOID team can help you migrate to React Native 0.82 and develop TV apps. We work on:
- React Native migration and version upgrades
- New Architecture adoption (TurboModules, Fabric)
- TV apps development (tvOS, Android TV, Tizen)
- Performance optimization and profiling
Additional Resources
- Mobile App Development Morocco: our mobile development services
- Mobile Expertise: our mobile development approach
- All our publications: tech guides and news
Article published on October 8, 2025. Complete guide to React Native 0.82 and TV apps development for mobile developers.