10 Essential Updates in React Native 0.85: Animation Engine, DevTools, and More

React Native 0.85 has arrived, bringing a wave of improvements that refine both developer experience and app performance. This release introduces a revamped animation backend, moves the Jest preset to its own package, and upgrades the Metro bundler with TLS support. Whether you're building complex animations or streamlining your debugging workflow, these changes offer something for every React Native developer. Let's dive into the top 10 things you need to know about this update.

1. New Animation Backend Powers Smoother Interactions

React Native 0.85 debuts the Shared Animation Backend, developed in collaboration with Software Mansion. This internal engine overhaul handles how animations are applied for both the Animated API and Reanimated. By centralizing animation updates in React Native core, Reanimated gains performance improvements that were previously out of reach, while the reconciliation process benefits from thorough testing and future-proof stability. One immediate win: you can now animate layout props like Flexbox and position using the native driver—something previously limited. To enable this experimental feature (available from version 0.85.1), activate the experimental channel as described in the React Native docs.

10 Essential Updates in React Native 0.85: Animation Engine, DevTools, and More

2. React Native DevTools Gain Multi-Connection Support

The React Native DevTools now support multiple simultaneous Chrome DevTools Protocol (CDP) connections. This means you can run DevTools, VS Code, and even AI agents at the same time without conflicting sessions. The result: richer, composable tooling workflows—like inspecting network requests while an AI assistant analyzes component state—without unexpectedly terminating connections. Additionally, the desktop app has been updated to compile for macOS 26, bringing system-level tab handling (via Window > Merge All Windows) for power users who juggle multiple DevTools windows.

3. Request Payload Previews Return to Network Panel

After a brief regression, request body previews in the DevTools Network Panel are back on Android. When debugging network calls, you can now inspect the payload of requests directly, making it easier to diagnose API interactions without needing third‑party sniffers. This restoration simplifies debugging for developers who rely on the built‑in tools during development.

4. Metro Bundler Now Supports TLS for Secure Development

The Metro dev server can accept a TLS configuration object, enabling HTTPS (and WSS for Fast Refresh) during local development. This is critical when your app communicates with secure backend services or when you need to test features that require a secure context, such as service workers or geolocation. By integrating TLS directly into Metro, you can maintain a consistent security posture from development through production.

5. Jest Preset Moves to a Dedicated Package (Breaking Change)

In a breaking change, the Jest preset has been extracted from the core React Native package into its own dedicated package: @react-native/jest-preset. This move makes the preset easier to maintain and version independently. To continue using Jest with React Native 0.85, you must install the new package and update your Jest configuration accordingly. Check the migration guide for exact steps, but the change is straightforward—update your jest.config.js to reference the new preset path.

6. Dropped Support for End-of-Life Node.js Versions

React Native 0.85 removes support for Node.js versions that have reached their end-of-life (EOL). This includes versions 13, 15, 17, and any other versions no longer maintained by the Node.js foundation. By dropping EOL versions, the team can leverage modern JavaScript features and improve overall tooling performance. If you're running an older Node.js version, upgrade to a current LTS release (such as 18 or 20) to ensure compatibility.

7. StyleSheet.absoluteFillObject Removed

The deprecated StyleSheet.absoluteFillObject property has been removed in this release. This was a convenience reference for position: 'absolute', top: 0, left: 0, right: 0, bottom: 0. Instead, use StyleSheet.absoluteFill (which still exists) or define your own style object. This cleanup aligns with the team's goal of reducing API surface area and encouraging explicit styling.

8. Other Breaking Changes to Be Aware Of

Alongside the major changes, React Native 0.85 includes a handful of smaller breaking adjustments. Notably, some deprecated components and APIs have been removed, and a few prop changes have been made for consistency. Always review the full changelog before upgrading your project. Common tweaks involve Image component defaults and ListView removal (already deprecated in earlier versions). Migrating early will prevent surprises during your next build.

9. How to Animate Layout Props with the New Backend

With the new animation backend, animating layout props like width, height, or margin is now possible using the native driver. Here's a quick example:

import { Animated, Button, View, useAnimatedValue } from 'react-native';

function MyComponent() {
  const width = useAnimatedValue(100);
  const toggle = () => {
    Animated.timing(width, {
      toValue: 300,
      duration: 500,
      useNativeDriver: true,
    }).start();
  };
  return (
    <View style={{ flex: 1 }}>
      <Animated.View style={{ width, height: 100, backgroundColor: 'blue' }} />
      <Button title="Expand" onPress={toggle} />
    </View>
  );
}

This enables buttery-smooth animations for layout properties without falling back to the JavaScript driver. Explore more examples under react-native/packages/rn-tester/js/examples/AnimationBackend/.

10. Community Collaboration Continues to Drive Innovation

React Native 0.85 is a testament to the power of open-source collaboration. The new animation backend was built with Software Mansion, and many bug fixes originated from community contributions. As React Native matures, expect more shared infrastructure between core and popular libraries like Reanimated. If you're interested in shaping future releases, check out the React Native contributor guide and join the conversation—every issue, pull request, and discussion helps the framework evolve.

React Native 0.85 is a solid step forward, balancing performance improvements with developer-friendly changes. Whether you're upgrading an existing project or starting fresh, these ten updates give you a clear roadmap. Test the new features in your app, migrate smoothly from the old Jest preset, and enjoy a more secure development environment with Metro TLS. As always, stay tuned for the next release—the React Native team continues to refine and enhance the framework.

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