[0.77] Android Old Architecture debug app freezes when Metro triggers reload

Description

The issue originates within the app as generated by the @react-native-community/cli template in versions 0.77.2 and 0.77.1
(Old Architecture, debug build. Occurs on both emulators and real devices.)

It did not occur in version 0.78.1.

After triggering a reload by pressing the ‘r’ key in Metro, the top status bar indicates that fast refresh is active when modifying the UI code, but the UI does not update.

Steps to reproduce

Run a debug build.
Trigger a reload by pressing the ‘r’ key on the Metro screen.
Modify App.tsx to change the UI.

The issue may not be reproducible immediately.
But, repeatedly performing steps 2 and 3 often results in the UI not updating.

--

The reproducer repository consists of a template app generated using the command npx @react-native-community/cli@latest init RN772 --version 0.77.2.
No other modifications have been made except for setting it to use the Old Architecture.

React Native Version

0.77.2

Affected Platforms

Runtime - Android

Output of `npx @react-native-community/cli info`

System:
  OS: macOS 15.3.1
  CPU: (10) arm64 Apple M1 Pro
  Memory: 1.35 GB / 32.00 GB
  Shell:
    version: "5.9"
    path: /bin/zsh
Binaries:
  Node:
    version: 20.11.1
    path: ~/.nvm/versions/node/v20.11.1/bin/node
  Yarn:
    version: 1.22.22
    path: ~/.nvm/versions/node/v20.11.1/bin/yarn
  npm:
    version: 10.2.4
    path: ~/.nvm/versions/node/v20.11.1/bin/npm
  Watchman:
    version: 2025.02.17.00
    path: /opt/homebrew/bin/watchman
Managers:
  CocoaPods:
    version: 1.15.2
    path: /Users/floydkim/.rbenv/shims/pod
SDKs:
  iOS SDK:
    Platforms:
      - DriverKit 24.2
      - iOS 18.2
      - macOS 15.2
      - tvOS 18.2
      - visionOS 2.2
      - watchOS 11.2
  Android SDK: Not Found
IDEs:
  Android Studio: 2024.3 AI-243.24978.46.2431.13208083
  Xcode:
    version: 16.2/16C5032a
    path: /usr/bin/xcodebuild
Languages:
  Java:
    version: 17.0.11
    path: /usr/bin/javac
  Ruby:
    version: 2.6.10
    path: /Users/floydkim/.rbenv/shims/ruby
npmPackages:
  "@react-native-community/cli":
    installed: 15.0.1
    wanted: 15.0.1
  react:
    installed: 18.3.1
    wanted: 18.3.1
  react-native:
    installed: 0.77.2
    wanted: 0.77.2
  react-native-macos: Not Found
npmGlobalPackages:
  "*react-native*": Not Found
Android:
  hermesEnabled: true
  newArchEnabled: false
iOS:
  hermesEnabled: Not found
  newArchEnabled: false

Stacktrace or Logs

When this log appears after a reload, the issue occurs.

Trying to add a root view with an explicit id (11) already set. React Native uses the id field to track react tags and will overwrite this field. If that is fine, explicitly overwrite the id field to View.NO_ID before calling addRootView.

When scrolling the screen after the issue occurs, this log appears repeatedly.

Unhandled SoftException
com.facebook.react.bridge.ReactNoCrashSoftException: Cannot get UIManager because the context doesn't contain an active CatalystInstance.
	at com.facebook.react.uimanager.UIManagerHelper.getUIManager(UIManagerHelper.java:82)
	at com.facebook.react.uimanager.UIManagerHelper.getEventDispatcher(UIManagerHelper.java:134)
	at com.facebook.react.uimanager.UIManagerHelper.getEventDispatcherForReactTag(UIManagerHelper.java:112)
	at com.facebook.react.views.scroll.ReactScrollViewHelper.emitScrollEvent(ReactScrollViewHelper.kt:126)
	at com.facebook.react.views.scroll.ReactScrollViewHelper.emitScrollEvent(ReactScrollViewHelper.kt:98)
	at com.facebook.react.views.scroll.ReactScrollViewHelper.emitScrollBeginDragEvent(ReactScrollViewHelper.kt:70)
	at com.facebook.react.views.scroll.ReactScrollView.handleInterceptedTouchEvent(ReactScrollView.java:453)
	at com.facebook.react.views.scroll.ReactScrollView.onInterceptTouchEvent(ReactScrollView.java:438)
	at android.view.ViewGroup.dispatchTouchEvent(ViewGroup.java:2870)
	at android.widget.ScrollView.dispatchTouchEvent(ScrollView.java:858)
	at android.view.ViewGroup.dispatchTransformedTouchEvent(ViewGroup.java:3352)
	at android.view.ViewGroup.dispatchTouchEvent(ViewGroup.java:3022)
	at android.view.ViewGroup.dispatchTransformedTouchEvent(ViewGroup.java:3352)
	at android.view.ViewGroup.dispatchTouchEvent(ViewGroup.java:3022)
	at android.view.ViewGroup.dispatchTransformedTouchEvent(ViewGroup.java:3352)
	at android.view.ViewGroup.dispatchTouchEvent(ViewGroup.java:3022)
	at android.view.ViewGroup.dispatchTransformedTouchEvent(ViewGroup.java:3352)
	at android.view.ViewGroup.dispatchTouchEvent(ViewGroup.java:3022)
	at android.view.ViewGroup.dispatchTransformedTouchEvent(ViewGroup.java:3352)
	at android.view.ViewGroup.dispatchTouchEvent(ViewGroup.java:3022)
	at android.view.ViewGroup.dispatchTransformedTouchEvent(ViewGroup.java:3352)
	at android.view.ViewGroup.dispatchTouchEvent(ViewGroup.java:3022)
	at android.view.ViewGroup.dispatchTransformedTouchEvent(ViewGroup.java:3352)
	at android.view.ViewGroup.dispatchTouchEvent(ViewGroup.java:3022)
	at com.android.internal.policy.DecorView.superDispatchTouchEvent(DecorView.java:794)
	at com.android.internal.policy.PhoneWindow.superDispatchTouchEvent(PhoneWindow.java:1967)
	at android.app.Activity.dispatchTouchEvent(Activity.java:4571)
	at androidx.appcompat.view.WindowCallbackWrapper.dispatchTouchEvent(WindowCallbackWrapper.java:70)
	at com.android.internal.policy.DecorView.dispatchTouchEvent(DecorView.java:752)
	at android.view.View.dispatchPointerEvent(View.java:16498)
	at android.view.ViewRootImpl$ViewPostImeInputStage.processPointerEvent(ViewRootImpl.java:8676)
	at android.view.ViewRootImpl$ViewPostImeInputStage.onProcess(ViewRootImpl.java:8423)
	at android.view.ViewRootImpl$InputStage.deliver(ViewRootImpl.java:7752)
	at android.view.ViewRootImpl$InputStage.onDeliverToNext(ViewRootImpl.java:7809)
	at android.view.ViewRootImpl$InputStage.forward(ViewRootImpl.java:7775)
	at android.view.ViewRootImpl$AsyncInputStage.forward(ViewRootImpl.java:7978)
	at android.view.ViewRootImpl$InputStage.apply(ViewRootImpl.java:7783)
	at android.view.ViewRootImpl$AsyncInputStage.apply(ViewRootImpl.java:8035)
	at android.view.ViewRootImpl$InputStage.deliver(ViewRootImpl.java:7756)
	at android.view.ViewRootImpl$InputStage.onDeliverToNext(ViewRootImpl.java:7809)
	at android.view.ViewRootImpl$InputStage.forward(ViewRootImpl.java:7775)
	at android.view.ViewRootImpl$InputStage.apply(ViewRootImpl.java:7783)
	at android.view.ViewRootImpl$InputStage.deliver(ViewRootImpl.java:7756)
	at android.view.ViewRootImpl.deliverInputEvent(ViewRootImpl.java:11343)
	at android.view.ViewRootImpl.doProcessInputEvents(ViewRootImpl.java:11212)
	at android.view.ViewRootImpl.enqueueInputEvent(ViewRootImpl.java:11168)
	at android.view.ViewRootImpl$WindowInputEventReceiver.onInputEvent(ViewRootImpl.java:11477)

Reproducer

https://github.com/floydkim/repro-react-native-0.77.2

Screenshots and Videos

react-native-0772-android-freeze-2.mov

@floydkim

Hi @floydkim, is this happening on Android only or also on iOS?

@cipolleschi

@cipolleschi
Hello. I just checked and it doesn't reproduce on iOS.

react-native-0772-ios-not-freezing.mov

This was working fine for me in 0.77.1 but recently upgraded to 0.77.2 and now metro won't even connect to my emulator not sure if this is related.

I thought it wasn't an issue with my local environment since I observed the same behavior on two different MacBook, but was I mistaken?

I just tried with a new app created using 0.77.2 and with an android emulator, and everything works on my side.

Have you tried with adb reverse as suggested here

@cipolleschi

@cipolleschi Thank you for your help.
The connection using adb reverse works correctly.

While testing again, I discovered something new.. It works fine on the Android 14 (SDK 35) emulator.
(A freeze issue does occur, but with a low probability.)

On the Android 15 emulator, the issue occurs within the first couple of attempts.

@cortinico

@cortinico do you have an Android 15 we can use for testing?

@floydkim

@cortinico do you have an Android 15 we can use for testing?

I just tested on a Android 15 emulator and I cannot reproduce at all @floydkim

Screen.Recording.2025-04-04.at.16.41.54.mov

@cortinico

@cortinico Thank you for looking into this issue.
Could you confirm that you have disabled the new architecture?

@cortinico Thank you for looking into this issue. Could you confirm that you have disabled the new architecture?

You're right I was on New Arch.
Yes it seems like fast refresh is broken on Old Arch.

We can look into it. In the meantime, what's the reason why you can't use NewArch?

@cortinico

@cortinico
If I start a new app, I’ll gladly adopt New Architecture from the beginning.

I’m maintaining an OTA update library, a fork of react-native-code-push.
I discovered this issue while testing compatibility with both the New and Old Architectures.

As you probably know, teams with long-standing React Native apps often manage to upgrade to RN 0.77+ but still run into issues enabling the New Architecture for various reasons.

I hope support for the Old Architecture continues a bit longer.
I know you and your team are putting a lot of effort into supporting everyone.
I really appreciate it.

Thanks for the context

I am facing the same issue, tested with 0.77.1 and 0.77.2, both have the same problem. On 0.76.6 is working fine.

I can't use the new arch now, because I had some performance issues when using animations with requestAnimationFrame

Commented to follow this issue, thank you so much for your work :)

Backout #46896 - Attempt to fix #50274

[LOCAL] Backout #46896 - Attempt to fix #50274 (#52515)

@alissonph

Hi @alissonph how are we supposed to test it locally? When i changed the respective file, rebuilding the project still does not work as expected indicating that RN is not using the modified file?

@cw-nikhilnaik

@cw-nikhilnaik as by default Android uses precompiled RN, you need to setup to build from source. Change the files locally and follow this guide as well https://reactnative.dev/contributing/how-to-build-from-source

@alissonph

Would it be possible to release a new nightly version with the latest fixes? @alissonph @robhogan

@robhogan

@robhogan Is this fix already available on v0.79 ? Using old architecture with expo-sdk 53 , RN v0.79.5 and reload metro Freeze app

Unhandled SoftException
com.facebook.react.bridge.ReactNoCrashSoftException: Cannot get UIManager because the context doesn't contain an active CatalystInstance.
	at com.facebook.react.uimanager.n0.h(UIManagerHelper.java:59)
	at com.facebook.react.uimanager.n0.b(UIManagerHelper.java:25)
	at com.facebook.react.uimanager.n0.c(UIManagerHelper.java:5)
	at com.swmansion.rnscreens.Z.onDetachedFromWindow(ScreenStackHeaderConfig.kt:26)

Hi folks - could anyone on RN 0.77.x please try 0.77.3 (just released) to confirm the fix?

@robhogan

@robhogan
Just tested it on 0.77.3 and can confirm the issue is resolved.

react-native-issue-50274-2.mov

Edit: updated video

Great, closing then 👍

[LOCAL] Backout #46896 - Attempt to fix #50274 (#52515)

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[0.77] Android Old Architecture debug app freezes when Metro triggers reload #50274

Description

Steps to reproduce

React Native Version

Affected Platforms

Output of `npx @react-native-community/cli info`

Stacktrace or Logs

Reproducer

Screenshots and Videos

11 remaining items

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[0.77] Android Old Architecture debug app freezes when Metro triggers reload #50274

Description

Description

Steps to reproduce

React Native Version

Affected Platforms

Output of npx @react-native-community/cli info

Stacktrace or Logs

Reproducer

Screenshots and Videos

Activity

cipolleschi commented on Mar 26, 2025

floydkim commented on Mar 26, 2025

TomAtterton commented on Mar 26, 2025

floydkim commented on Mar 30, 2025

cipolleschi commented on Mar 31, 2025

floydkim commented on Mar 31, 2025

cipolleschi commented on Apr 4, 2025

cortinico commented on Apr 4, 2025

floydkim commented on Apr 5, 2025

cortinico commented on Apr 7, 2025

floydkim commented on Apr 8, 2025

cortinico commented on Apr 8, 2025

alissonph commented on Apr 17, 2025

11 remaining items

cw-nikhilnaik commented on Jul 10, 2025

alissonph commented on Jul 10, 2025

FengFuLiu commented on Jul 15, 2025

justinkx commented on Jul 17, 2025

robhogan commented on Jul 21, 2025

floydkim commented on Jul 22, 2025

cortinico commented on Jul 22, 2025

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Output of `npx @react-native-community/cli info`