[Due for payment 2025-11-14] [Due for payment 2025-11-07] Upgrade React Native to 0.81

[roryabraham]

Upgrade React Native (RN) to the Latest Version for Enhanced Performance and Compatibility

Background:

Over time, our codebase has grown to include numerous custom patches, and the open-source ecosystem around React Native continues to evolve with frequent updates, performance improvements, and new features. Third-party libraries often adapt quickly to these changes.

Problem:

Using an outdated React Native version complicates patch management, restricts compatibility with modern libraries, and negatively impacts app performance and stability.

Solution:

• Upgrade React Native to latest version and update dependencies
• Audit and remove unnecessary patches
• Conduct thorough testing for stability.

Issue Owner

Current Issue Owner: @strepanier03

[roryabraham]

Discussed in slack

• Expo doesn't have a stable release supporting RN 0.80. Expo 54 will likely support 0.81
• So we'll likely wait on this at least until we have an canary build of Expo 54, and when we do, we'll target RN 0.81

[roryabraham]

I guess we can monitor the Expo changelog here

[mountiny]

No updates yet, though we are starting to have release candidates for the 0.81, @war-in would it make sense for you to already start working on this and see how things are going?

[roryabraham]

Still waiting for Expo 54