[EPIC] Upgrade to New Architecture

[mblomdahl]

Migration to React Native New Architecture

Context

As New Architecture is becoming mandatory in upcoming versions of Expo SDK, we need to upgrade the project to support it. However, several libraries in our current stack either do not support New Architecture yet or require updates to work with it.

Libraries Requiring Attention

✅ Supported with Version Update

• react-native-async-storage
  • Requires at least version 2.2.0 to work with New Architecture
  • Tracking issue: ✨ Async Storage v3 react-native-async-storage/async-storage#1221

⚠️ Work in Progress

• react-native-device-info
  • New Architecture support in progress
  • Tracking issue: New Arch support? react-native-device-info/react-native-device-info#1731

🔴 No Support / Blockers

• @react-native-picker/picker

  • Does not yet support New Architecture based on repository issues
  • No clear timeline for support

• react-native-airplay-button

  • Appears unmaintained
  • Almost certainly incompatible with New Architecture

• react-native-markdown-display

  • Last release in 2023
  • No issues created regarding New Architecture support
  • May be abandoned

• react-native-picker-select

  • Depends on @react-native-picker/picker
  • Blocked by picker's lack of New Architecture support

• react-native-toast-message

  • Known issues with New Architecture and Expo SDK 54
  • Reference issue: Toast no longer visible, update to Expo 54 cause animations to stop working calintamas/react-native-toast-message#583

• react-native-video

  • Currently on v6
  • Requires setting up the interop layer to work with New Architecture

Action Items

• Audit each library's current status and available alternatives
• Identify libraries that can be updated vs. those requiring replacement
• Research and evaluate alternative packages where needed
• Create migration plan with estimated timeline
• Test compatibility in a separate branch before full migration