FlashList v2: A Ground-Up Rewrite for React Native’s New Architecture
Article Summary
Shopify just eliminated one of React Native's biggest pain points: guessing item sizes for performant lists.
FlashList v2 is a complete ground-up rewrite that leverages React Native's New Architecture to deliver faster, more precise list rendering. With 2M+ monthly downloads, it now powers thousands of lists in Shopify's production app without requiring size estimates.
Key Takeaways
- No more estimatedItemSize prop: synchronous layout measurements eliminate all estimates
- 50% less blank area while scrolling vs v1
- Pixel-perfect scrollToIndex through progressive refinement and real-time corrections
- Zero native code dependencies means fewer platform-specific bugs
- Horizontal lists now auto-resize and coordinate with parent lists
Critical Insight
FlashList v2 removes the cognitive load of list optimization by using synchronous measurements and progressive rendering to deliver smooth 60 FPS performance automatically.
