React Native has transformed how we build mobile apps. Instead of writing separate codebases for iOS (Swift/Objective-C) and Android (Java/Kotlin), you can now write one codebase in JavaScript/TypeScript and ship it everywhere.

But React Native in 2025 is not the same as it was in 2019. It has matured with Fabric Renderer, TurboModules, Hermes, and Expo SDK updates, making it faster, more stable, and more enterprise-ready than ever.

🔹 1. Why React Native Still Matters

In 2025, React Native is still a top choice because:

• Cross-Platform Development → Write once, run on iOS, Android, and even Web.
• Community & Ecosystem → Huge library ecosystem, active dev community, backed by Meta.
• Performance Improvements → Fabric Renderer + Hermes engine = near-native performance.
• Scalability → Used by apps like Instagram, Shopify, Discord, and Tesla.

👉 For startups, it means faster MVP launches. For enterprises, it means scalable apps with shared teams.

🔹 2. React Native Architecture in 2025

The old React Native bridge model caused performance bottlenecks. But now, with new architecture, things are blazing fast.

• Fabric Renderer → Replaces old UI Manager. Better rendering with direct C++ integration.
• TurboModules → Faster communication with native code.
• Hermes Engine (Default) → Optimized JavaScript runtime for mobile.
• JSI (JavaScript Interface) → Enables direct communication between JS and native, without a slow JSON bridge.

👉 This means less lag, smoother animations, and lower memory usage.

🔹 3. Setting Up a React Native Project in 2025

You have two main ways:

1. Using Expo (recommended for most projects)

npx create-expo-app myApp
cd myApp
npx expo start

1. Expo gives you batteries-included features: OTA updates, push notifications, camera, sensors, etc.
2. React Native CLI (for full native control)

npx react-native init MyApp
cd MyApp
npx react-native run-android
npx react-native run-ios

👉 Use Expo for startups and MVPs, React Native CLI for apps needing deep native customizations.

🔹 4. Navigation in React Native

Navigation is critical for mobile UX. In 2025, the most popular library is React Navigation.

Example: Stack Navigation

import { createNativeStackNavigator } from '@react-navigation/native-stack';
import { NavigationContainer } from '@react-navigation/native';

const Stack = createNativeStackNavigator();

export default function App() {
  return (
    <NavigationContainer>
      <Stack.Navigator>
        <Stack.Screen name="Home" component={HomeScreen} />
        <Stack.Screen name="Profile" component={ProfileScreen} />
      </Stack.Navigator>
    </NavigationContainer>
  );
}

👉 You can also use Drawer, Bottom Tabs, and Nested Navigators.

🔹 5. Styling in React Native

Options for styling:

• StyleSheet API (built-in)
• Styled-components (CSS-in-JS)
• Tailwind CSS with NativeWind

Example (using NativeWind):

import { Text, View } from "react-native";

export default function Home() {
  return (
    <View className="flex-1 items-center justify-center bg-blue-500">
      <Text className="text-white text-xl">Hello React Native 2025 🚀R</Text&g;
    </View>
  );
}

👉 NativeWind is a game-changer for teams who love Tailwind from web dev.

🔹 6. State Management in React Native

Choices in 2025:

• React Context API → Best for small apps.
• Redux Toolkit → Standard for complex apps.
• Recoil / Jotai / Zustand → Simpler alternatives with better DX.

Example with Zustand:

import create from "zustand";

const useStore = create((set) => ({
  count: 0,
  increment: () => set((state) => ({ count: state.count + 1 })),
}));

export default function Counter() {
  const { count, increment } = useStore();
  return <Button title={`Count: ${count}`} onPress={increment} />;
}

👉 For large-scale apps, Redux Toolkit + RTK Query is still the king.

🔹 7. Performance Optimization Tips

Performance is key for senior-level React Native devs.

✅ Use FlatList instead of map() for rendering large lists.

✅ Use memoization (React.memo, useMemo, useCallback).

✅ Offload heavy tasks to native modules.

✅ Optimize images with FastImage.

✅ Use Hermes (default JS engine).

✅ Avoid unnecessary re-renders with shouldComponentUpdate or React.memo.

🔹 8. Integrating Native Modules

Sometimes, you need features React Native doesn't provide out-of-the-box.

Example: Adding custom native code (Android — Kotlin)

class ToastModule(reactContext: ReactApplicationContext) :
  ReactContextBaseJavaModule(reactContext) {
  
  override fun getName() = "ToastExample"

  @ReactMethod
  fun show(message: String) {
    Toast.makeText(reactApplicationContext, message, Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show()
  }
}

👉 Expose this to JS via JSI, then call in your React Native app.

🔹 9. Testing in React Native

Testing ensures stability. Popular tools:

• Jest (unit testing)
• React Native Testing Library (component testing)
• Detox (end-to-end testing)

Example Jest test:

import { render } from "@testing-library/react-native";
import Home from "../Home";

test("renders text correctly", () => {
  const { getByText } = render(<Home />);
  expect(getByText("Hello React Native 2025 🚀")).toBeTruthy();
});

🔹 10. Deployment & CI/CD

Deploy React Native apps via:

• App Store / Play Store
• Expo EAS Build & Submit
• Fastlane + GitHub Actions for automation

👉 Senior devs should master CI/CD pipelines for automated builds and OTA updates.

🔹 11. Future of React Native

By 2025, React Native is focusing on:

• Concurrent Rendering (React 18 features)
• Better integration with SwiftUI/Jetpack Compose
• Edge + AI integrations for personalization
• Expo EAS becoming the default deployment pipeline

👉 With Fabric + Hermes + Server Components (coming soon), React Native is becoming indistinguishable from native apps.

🏁 Final Thoughts

React Native in 2025 is no longer just a "startup framework" — it's a production-grade, enterprise-ready solution.

If you want to level up as a senior React Native dev, focus on:

1. Mastering new architecture (Fabric + TurboModules + Hermes).
2. Using state management wisely.
3. Optimizing performance for smooth UX.
4. Automating with CI/CD and OTA updates.
5. Keeping up with Expo SDK releases & RN community updates.

👉 With these, you'll be ready to build scalable, fast, and future-proof apps in React Native.