React Native 0.73 - Debugging Improvements, Stable Symlink Support, and more

Today we're releasing React Native 0.73! This release adds improvements to debugging with Hermes, stable symlink support, Android 14 support, and new experimental features. We are also deprecating legacy debugging features, and are releasing the next pillar of the New Architecture: Bridgeless Mode!

Highlights​

• Debugging Improvements
• Stable Symlink Support in Metro
• Kotlin Template on Android
• Android 14 Support
• New Architecture Updates
• Deprecated Debugging Features

Breaking Changes​

• Babel Package Renames
• Other Breaking Changes
• React Native CLI Changes
• Deprecated @types/react-native

Highlights​

Debugging Improvements​

The React Native and Hermes teams are committed to improving the debugging experience in React Native. In 0.73, we're happy to share some initial progress out of this ongoing investment.

Console Log History in Hermes​

console.log() is an ever popular way for developers to quickly debug their JavaScript code. In previous releases, console logs in React Native apps would not be recorded until a debugger was connected. This made it hard to observe logs that occur early during app load.

In React Native 0.73 we've addressed this issue. Hermes now captures all console.log() calls in the background, which will be sent to the Console tab when a debugger is first connected — matching the debugging experience in web browsers. This new behaviour works across Flipper, Chrome DevTools connected to Hermes, and the experimental New Debugger.

Updated Debugging Docs​

We've refreshed the Debugging section of our docs, which now includes up-to-date information on how to connect all supported debuggers, more info on React DevTools, and refreshed visuals.

Experimental New Debugger​

The React Native team is working on a new JavaScript debugger experience, intended to replace Flipper, with a Technical Preview available as of React Native 0.73. The new debugger opens immediately, and features a stripped-back Chrome DevTools UI customized for debugging React Native with Hermes.

Learn more about enabling this experience