React Native 0.73 Debugging Improvements and Stable Symlinks
Article Summary
React Native 0.73 just dropped with a game-changing shift: the team is finally killing off Flipper and the legacy bridge. This is the biggest architectural pivot since the New Architecture announcement.
The React Native team released version 0.73 with major debugging overhauls and the next pillar of their New Architecture: Bridgeless Mode. This release marks a clear direction away from legacy debugging tools while adding production-ready features like stable symlink support and Android 14 compatibility.
Key Takeaways
- Hermes now captures console.log history before debugger connects, like browsers do
- Bridgeless Mode ships experimentally, fully removing the old bridge architecture
- Kotlin replaces Java as recommended Android language (36% smaller template files)
- Flipper integration deprecated, will be removed in next release
- Stable symlink support enables proper monorepo setups with Fast Refresh
Critical Insight
React Native 0.73 deprecates Flipper and legacy debugging while shipping Bridgeless Mode, moving the framework decisively toward its New Architecture future.
