2026-01-28 · #18
React Native Weekly #18 Expo SDK 55 Beta, calc() Support, EAS Build 30% Faster and more
Expo SDK 55 Beta Released#
Expo SDK 55 beta has been released with support for React Native 0.83.1 and React 19.2. With this update, the move to React Native 0.83 means Legacy Architecture support has been dropped. The release also includes opt-in support for Hermes v1, which is expected to bring improvements to startup time, overall performance, and JS bundle build times.
‼️Expo SDK 55 beta is out now🧪 (RN 0.83.1 + React 19.2) Highlights: ♢ Legacy Architecture support is gone ♢ New default template (native tabs, /src/app) ♢ Hermes v1 opt-in ♢ Smaller OTA updates with Hermes bytecode diffing ♢ More native Router APIs + better brownfield
Expo Router v7#
New components such as <Tabs /> and others have been added.
There are also changes around the navigation bar API and other updates to support the Liquid Glass style.
Expo Router v7 is now in beta! ◆ <Toolbar /> ◆ <Stack.Toolbar /> ◆ <Link.AppleZoom /> ◆ <Tabs.BottomAccessory /> Try the new UI components today: ~ / bunx create-expo -t default@55 twitter.com/expo/status/201447…
Introducing Expo Widget#
Expo Widget has also been released in alpha, allowing you to build iOS Widgets and Live Activities using Expo UI. Callstack recently released a similar solution called voltra, and the key difference here is that Expo Widget is built on top of Expo UI.
Expo UI Targeting Stability in Mid-2026#
SwiftUI support has been in beta and Jetpack Compose in alpha, but both are expected to stabilize by mid-year. Expo UI for Jetpack Compose is also said to be moving to beta soon, suggesting the API is settling down nicely.
Server Side Rendering (SSR) Support in Expo Router (Web)#
Several web-related improvements have landed, including SSR support. This makes it possible to render dynamic pages on the server side, covering use cases where SSR is needed for SEO and similar requirements.
calc() Support Coming to React Native#
React Native has not previously supported using calculated values like calc() for size declarations.
This is set to change in an upcoming version of React Native, which will introduce calc() support.
It’s finally happening ✨ Bringing calc() support to React Native. width: calc(100% - 40px) just feels right.
react-native-bootsplash 7.0.0 Released#
react-native-bootsplash 7.0.0, which lets you customize the launch splash screen, has been released. It ships with edge-to-edge theming enabled by default and includes significant improvements to the Expo plugin.
react-native-bootsplash 7.0.0 is now available, featuring edge-to-edge theming by default and a greatly improved Expo plugin. 🧩 If you like my work, remember that you can buy a license on Gumroad to support me: zoontek.gumroad.com/l/bootspla… github.com/zoontek/react-nativ…
React Native Testing Library v14 Beta Released#
v14 beta of React Native Testing Library, the go-to testing library for React Native, is now available. The release includes the following major changes, all of which can be applied automatically via codemod:
- A new test-renderer package replacing the deprecated React Test Renderer
- Migration to async APIs:
render,fireEvent,act, and more
React Native Testing Library v14 beta is now officially available! 🚀 This major version brings 2 significant changes: 🔹 New test-renderer package instead of deprecated React Test Rendere 🔹 Transition to async APIs: render, fireEvent, act, etc Both are covered by codemods!
EAS Build Now 30% Faster#
EAS build speeds have improved by 30% thanks to compiler caching.
This is powered by ccache, a tool that caches C/C++ build outputs, reducing the time spent recompiling C/C++ code used in React Native, Hermes, native libraries, and more.
You can enable this feature by setting the EAS_USE_CACHE=1 environment variable.
Your EAS builds just got 30% faster ⚡️ ️ Compiler caching with ccache is now live for everyone. No extra cost, zero config beyond one env variable. Works on Android (SDK 53+) and iOS (SDK 54+). expo.dev/changelog/compiler-ca…
Compiler cache for builds and Workflows - Expo ChangelogCheck out new updates and improvements to Expo and EAS from the Expo team.Expo
One More Thing#
Expo SDK 55 beta is here! I tried upgrading one of my own apps to Expo SDK 55 using the expo/skills upgrade skill, and I was honestly surprised by how little I had to do myself — the upgrade basically handled itself. Upgrading React Native (and Expo) has always felt like a bit of a pain point for me personally, so it’s great to see yet another rough edge getting smoothed out.