React Native 0.87 Officially Released: Zero Breaking Changes and AGP v9 Integration

In a paradigm of continuous stability, the React Native core team has officially unveiled version 0.87. Released on July 6, 2026, this update marks a significant milestone for cross-platform mobile development, continuing the framework's recent commitment to frictionless upgrades.

Unprecedented Stability and Fortification

The hallmark of the 0.87 release is its absolute lack of user-facing breaking changes. For enterprise teams managing ubiquitous mobile applications, this means that migrating from 0.86 to 0.87 can be executed with minimal regression testing. The core team has focused heavily on internal architecture optimization, ensuring that the New Architecture (Fabric and TurboModules) continues to mature without disrupting existing JavaScript APIs.

Android Gradle Plugin v9 Elicitation

Under the hood, React Native 0.87 introduces a pivotal shift for Android builds. An RFC has been proposed to make Android Gradle Plugin (AGP) v9 the default starting from this version, with an opt-out mechanism available for legacy projects. This transition is designed to ameliorate build performance and ensure compatibility with the latest Android Studio tooling, while carefully managing the impact on the broader ecosystem.

Ecosystem Amalgamation and Future Outlook

As the React Native ecosystem continues to flourish, version 0.87 serves as a foundational layer for upcoming major releases like Expo SDK 57, which is expected to adopt 0.87 in its stable release later this year. By prioritizing stability and modernizing build tools, Meta and the open-source community are ensuring that React Native remains a preeminent choice for high-performance mobile applications.