--- title: "Node-API, Rock×S3, React Native Harness, AI on iOS, React Universe Conf Countdown" description: "In June, we shipped Node-API support for RN, played with MCP and on-device AI, added S3/R2 caching to Rock, explored RN 0.80 & Android 16, and introduced Liquid Glass tabs in Bottom Tabs." url: https://www.callstack.com/newsletters/node-api-rockxs3-react-native-harness-ai-on-ios-react-universe-conf-countdown-june-2025 updated: 2026-10-24T07:18:04.905Z --- # Node-API, Rock×S3, React Native Harness, AI on iOS, React Universe Conf Countdown In June, we shipped Node-API support for RN, played with MCP and on-device AI, added S3/R2 caching to Rock, explored RN 0.80 & Android 16, and introduced Liquid Glass tabs in Bottom Tabs. _By Michał Pierzchala, Principal Engineer @ Callstack · Published 2025-07-14_ Hey, It’s [Michał](https://x.com/thymikee?utm_campaign=community&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8x5P2xNDXCnKzEiyE_xkUFdmmE-fK1MIhlWYeDg_8f37WJWFHrZVLaQKMSaymm4CyOsc5x) delivering the June episode of our newsletter to you! Last month was packed with big news, catching up to WWDC announcements, and experimenting with new APIs. As always, we’ve hand-picked some of the most important updates to the React Native ecosystem, and we’re inviting you to our two biggest conferences: React Universe Conf and React Conf (scroll to the bottom for details). ## Community highlights - [**React Native 0.80**](https://reactnative.dev/blog/2025/06/12/react-native-0.80)**:** Getting closer to a stable JS API, React 19.1, **deep imports deprecation**, freezing Legacy Architecture, [12% faster builds thanks to prebuilding](https://x.com/SzymonRybczak/status/1933172310439002209) a few internal iOS libraries (with more to come). Expo users will need to wait for SDK 54 to adopt it. - [**Unistyles 3.0**](https://www.reactnativecrossroads.com/posts/introducing-unistyles-3)**:** React Native Unistyles is now fully rewritten to Nitro Modules and **supports only the New Architecture**. This release brings a revamped API, Scoped Themes, Compound Variants, Reanimated integration, and smarter style updates with minimal re-renders. - [**Reddit's iOS App Binary Optimization**](https://www.reddit.com/r/RedditEng/comments/1l7gv4t/reddits_ios_app_binary_optimization/)**:** The Reddit team shares insights on how they achieved a 20% faster startup thanks to low-level optimization techniques such as LLVM’s Profile-Guided Optimization (PGO), dual profiling (coverage and temporal), partitioning, and Binary Layout Optimization. It’s a fascinating read! - [**Bluesky app enabled New Architecture**](https://github.com/bluesky-social/social-app/pull/8295)**:** It’s about time to switch. We experienced some blockers when enabling the new architecture for some of our clients, but they were recently resolved in the latest versions of React Native and Reanimated. - [**Android 16 is here**](https://blog.google/products/android/android-16/)**:** Available as SDK 36, it comes with a new notifications experience, advanced device protection, and new desktop-style windowing (you can open, move, and resize multiple app windows on a single screen). It’s going to be fun adding that to React Native apps. - [**Nitro Image**](https://github.com/mrousavy/react-native-nitro-image)**:** A new Image component powered by Nitro Modules and built in Nitro Views (supporting only new architecture; anybody see a trend here?). Promises fast image loading and, more importantly, image manipulations that are done in-memory. Time to experiment! ## Callstack Incubator highlights ### React Native Node-API  We’ve just shipped a thing. In an unprecedented collaboration between Callstack ([Mariusz Pasiński](https://x.com/mani3xis)), MongoDB ([Kræn Hansen](https://x.com/kraenhansen)), NativeScript ([Jamie Birch](https://x.com/birch_js)), Microsoft (Vladimir Morozov), and Rebecker Specialties ([Matt Hargett](https://x.com/syke)), we’ve released [Node-API support for React Native](https://www.callstack.com/blog/announcing-node-api-support-for-react-native). It’s a big deal for cross-platform library authors and, hopefully, soon, app developers. Node-API enables unit-testing of native modules in Node.js, cross-platform prebuilds that you can share with Electron, NativeScript, and other frameworks and their versions (thanks to ABI stability), building modules in Rust, Go, Zig, C#, and more. > > We're bringing Node-API (used in Node.js, Deno, Bun) to React Native: > > > > \- ABI-stable & runtime-independent > > \- cross-platform prebuilds > > \- supports Rust, Go, Zig, C#, and more > > > > It’s very early days, but give it go and ⭐️ > > > > — Callstack Engineers (@callstackio) [July 10, 2025](https://twitter.com/callstackio/status/1943292766693257246?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw) [Post on X](https://twitter.com/callstackio/status/1943292766693257246) ### Rock Rock now supports AWS S3 and Cloudflare R2 as remote cache providers, which means you can store your app binaries there and keep using our GitHub Actions (use v2 instead of v1, it’s the same API) to handle the building, downloading, and uploading the artifacts for you. > > RNEF now fully supports S3 and R2 as remote cache providers, so you can: > > ・ store IPA/APK where you like > > ・ use our GitHub Actions for remote builds > > ・ hook it into any CI provider > > ・ combine it all seamlessly through the CLI > > > > Wrote a small blog post about it ⬇️ [pic.twitter.com/2HgyGrrWl9](https://t.co/2HgyGrrWl9) > > > > — Michał Pierzchała (@thymikee) [June 24, 2025](https://twitter.com/thymikee/status/1937538104262545740?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw) [Post on X](https://twitter.com/thymikee/status/1937538104262545740) And if you ever tried to add React Native to an iOS app, now is the time to try it again, as we’ve partnered with our React Native Brownfield library to give you the easiest experience yet in just a few steps. Check our [latest docs](https://www.rockjs.dev/docs/brownfield/ios) or [watch the recording of React Universe Meetup in NYC](https://www.callstack.com/events/brownfield-incremental-react-native-adoption-x-rnef) where I presented that topic with a demo. We’ve also upgraded the framework to be compatible with React Native 0.80, so you can use the latest toys. > > This is all you need to add React Native to a SwiftUI app: > > > > 1\. Import your app (packaged as a framework by RNEF) > > 2\. Start React Native runtime > > 3\. Display the view > > > > Powered by RNEF and [@callstack](https://twitter.com/CallStack?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw)'s React Native Brownfield library. [pic.twitter.com/fbLuQOt34N](https://t.co/fbLuQOt34N) > > > > — React Native Enterprise Framework (@rnef\_dev) [June 25, 2025](https://twitter.com/rnef%5Fdev/status/1937899913062322247?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw) [Post on X](https://twitter.com/rnef_dev/status/1937899913062322247) ### React Native Bottom Tabs An iOS beta release with a completely new design paradigm (Liquid Glass)? Oskar (and React Native) says: “hold my 🍺”. > > Liquid Glass buttons in React Native 🔍 > > > > I did a small POC, should I make it a library? > > > > (Android would have its native button equivalent) [pic.twitter.com/m56JYpJyny](https://t.co/m56JYpJyny) > > > > — Oskar Kwaśniewski (@o\_kwasniewski) [June 13, 2025](https://twitter.com/o%5Fkwasniewski/status/1933428175456932049?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw) [Post on X](https://twitter.com/o_kwasniewski/status/1933428175456932049) It turns out that if you use native primitives, you get native looks for free. Recompile your app for iOS 26 target and enjoy the new looks, as React Native Bottom Tabs supports it from day 2 after the announcement. > > Thanks for 1k stars on React Native Bottom Tabs! 🎉⭐ > > > > New iOS 26 updates are coming! [pic.twitter.com/EZurh6pDco](https://t.co/EZurh6pDco) > > > > — Oskar Kwaśniewski (@o\_kwasniewski) [June 16, 2025](https://twitter.com/o%5Fkwasniewski/status/1934676889949339997?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw) [Post on X](https://twitter.com/o_kwasniewski/status/1934676889949339997) ### React Native AI Szymon and Mike are hard at work, together recently, to bring the on-device LLM, built into the latest iPhone models through the FoundationModels API, into production with our `react-native-ai` project. It’s a rough ride, and we file issue after issue on the Apple Developer forum, but it’s getting more stable with every iOS 26 beta. And since Google announced [Gemma 3n](https://ai.google.dev/gemma/docs/gemma-3n) models available on the latest Pixel devices, which can operate with as "little" as 2GB and 3GB of memory, we’re onto it as well. > > Selecting [@aisdk](https://twitter.com/aisdk?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw) for the user-facing API was amazing decision for react-native-ai: > > → generateText() > > → streamText() > > → tool calls 👀 > > → structured outputs with generateObject() ✨ > > > > Everything powered by LLM shipped with iOS 🫡 [pic.twitter.com/VKrL1bA4fc](https://t.co/VKrL1bA4fc) > > > > — Szymon Rybczak (@SzymonRybczak) [June 10, 2025](https://twitter.com/SzymonRybczak/status/1932393813894729751?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw) [Post on X](https://twitter.com/SzymonRybczak/status/1932393813894729751) ### React Native Harness Szymon is delivering more demos of his latest end-to-end testing library for React Native, which we internally call React Native Harness internally. The project is still in its infancy, but is getting closer to a usable MVP with every week. It’s quite exciting, because it allows for JavaScript-written tests without mocking, especially helpful for React Native library authors, and for regular users who don’t find Detox or Maestro syntax compelling. > > The beauty of testing on the React Native side? No fakery. > > > > Your Touchable is hidden behind an overlay? It won’t magically work - it’ll fail, as it should. > > > > Real UI, real results. [pic.twitter.com/T38jzsqDju](https://t.co/T38jzsqDju) > > > > — Szymon Chmal (@ChmalSzymon) [June 4, 2025](https://twitter.com/ChmalSzymon/status/1930190000710398028?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw) [Post on X](https://twitter.com/ChmalSzymon/status/1930190000710398028) In addition to all of that, we released the following content pieces last month: ## Blog - [**React Native Legal: CLI & Programmatic API - Unified Tooling for License Attributions**](https://www.callstack.com/blog/react-native-legal-cli-programmatic-api---unified-tooling-for-license-attributions) **by Artur Morys-Magiera:** Open-source licensing got easier (finally). Meet React Native Legal, a unified tool for automating license attribution (covering both JS and native dependencies) via CLI or API. No more manual copy-pasting, guaranteed. - [**Caching React Native Builds on S3 and R2 With Rock**](https://www.callstack.com/blog/caching-react-native-builds-on-s3-and-r2) **by Michał Pierzchała**: Say goodbye to unnecessary native builds. Rock just added remote caching on AWS S3 and Cloudflare R2; ideal for enterprises needing custom CI, compliance, or full control over infrastructure. Less building, more shipping. - [**How I Used MCP to Control My Friend's Home**](https://www.callstack.com/blog/model-context-protocol-in-action-with-real-use-and-real-code) **by Kewin Wereszczyński**: Curious about Model Context Protocol? This post shows how MCP helps LLMs like Claude access real-world data. You'll follow a real use case-connecting a smart home API to Claude using a Node server-to see what MCP enables, how it works, and why it is the USB-C of AI tooling. ## Podcast & video - **React Universe On Air Episode #52** [**Build Faster and Scale Smarter With Rock**](https://www.callstack.com/podcasts/build-faster-with-rock): Discover how Rock cuts build times, streamlines CI, and simplifies large-scale app development for growing teams. - **React Native Optimization in Practice** [**Episode 3: Stop Shipping Unused Code With R8**](https://youtu.be/Ud6TSlnEzCc?feature=shared)**:** Are you shipping unnecessary code in your Android app? You’re probably not alone. In this episode, we show how to use R8, the code shrinker and obfuscator, to reduce the size of your Android builds in React Native. ## Live streams - [**Live Dev Session: Breaking Down Vercel Ship 2025**](https://www.callstack.com/events/react-next-js-updates-from-vercel-ship-2025)**:** Tune in to developer reactions to Vercel Ship 2025, from AI sandboxes and bot detection to smarter compute pricing and microfrontends. [Here’s a TL;DR from this session](https://x.com/lukasz_app/status/1938650266024513690). - [**Live Dev Session: React Native Styling, OTA, and UI Tools**](https://www.callstack.com/events/live-dev-session-react-universe-news-tools-code-2)**:** Watch the recording of a live session unpacking React Native 0.80, OTA alternatives, AI-generated UIs, styling wars, and some truly wild tech tangents. Grab your summary thread [here](https://x.com/lukasz_app/status/1935040645988548986). - [**Live Dev Session: First Impressions of Apple’s On-Device AI**](https://www.callstack.com/events/live-dev-session-react-universe-news-tools-code)**:** Tune in to dev chat on Apple’s AI SDK, iOS 26 naming chaos, Siri’s limits, Liquid Glass UI, and on-device LLMs. - [**Run LLMs Locally With React Native & MLC**](https://www.callstack.com/events/run-llms-locally-with-react-native-mlc) **live stream:** Watch how MLC brings on-device AI to React Native. See **react-native-ai** in action and discover what’s next for local model execution. - ‍[**React Universe Meetup, New York**](https://www.callstack.com/events/react-universe-meetup-new-york-june-2025) **live stream:** Catch up with the latest React Universe Meetup featuring talks from Mike Grabowski, Pepijn Senders (HelloFresh), David Rifkin (Embrace), and Michał Pierzchała. Talk recordings are coming soon, so stay tuned. ## Upcoming events ### React Universe Conf: Two months to go! - The lineup keeps getting better: Mark Rousavy and TypeScript educator Matt Pocock are joining the speaker roster. - Heads-up: Regular Access tickets are only available through July. Late Birds go live August 1, so [grab your spot](https://www.reactuniverseconf.com/tickets) while you still can! - New workshop just dropped: _Vercel AI SDK v5: Building AI-powered Apps in TypeScript,_ led by Matt Pocock himself. Watch the invite and [save your spot here](https://www.reactuniverseconf.com/workshops-2025). > > TypeScript, AI, and a bit of board games🎲[@mattpocockuk](https://twitter.com/mattpocockuk?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw) lands in Wrocław this September for: > > 🛠️ A workshop on the [@vercelAI](https://twitter.com/VercElai?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw) SDK v5 > > 🎙️ A talk at [@reactuniverse\_](https://twitter.com/reactuniverse%5F?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw) > > > > Grab your tickets: [pic.twitter.com/GWJ6x2iTYC](https://t.co/GWJ6x2iTYC) > > > > — React Universe Conf | Sept 2-4, 2025 (@reactuniverse\_) [July 14, 2025](https://twitter.com/reactuniverse%5F/status/1944734673235534076?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw) [Post on X](https://twitter.com/reactuniverse_/status/1944734673235534076) ## React Conf 2025 - React Conf is back this October, and the [first round of speakers](https://conf.react.dev/) is already live. - Tickets are lottery-based again this year. [Sign up here](https://forms.reform.app/react-conf/ticket-lottery/piaae1) if you want to attend. That’s a wrap on June! Catch us online or in person next month, with more tools, more talks, and maybe a surprise or two, because who knows? Until then, happy shipping! Michał