React Native Version 0.68 Release

React Native 0.68 just dropped, and it's the first version where you can opt into the New Architecture. This is the milestone the community has been waiting for.

The React Native team announced version 0.68, marking a crucial turning point with opt-in support for Fabric Renderer and TurboModule system. This release includes 614 commits from 68 contributors, along with significant tooling updates and breaking changes that require attention.

Key Takeaways

• First React Native version with opt-in support for New Architecture (Fabric + TurboModules)
• Breaking changes: Node 16 required, Android needs JDK 11, Gradle Plugin updated to 7.0.1
• Android Gradle Plugin now auto-downloads NDK (no manual installation needed)
• React 18 rendering engine not yet supported, coming in future version
• New Architecture working group and migration guides launched for early adopters

The release notes hint at why React 18's new capabilities won't work without the New Architecture, and the implications are bigger than you might think.