Migrate Apps to React Native 0.83

This guide covers migrating your Vega React Native app from version 0.72.0 to 0.83.0. You can choose between two approaches:

• AI-assisted migration — Use the AI Assisted Upgrade Helper in the Amazon Devices Builder Tools MCP server. The helper detects your current version, generates a checklist of required changes, and walks you through each one interactively.
• Manual migration — Follow the step-by-step pages in this guide and make each change yourself.

Both approaches cover the same set of changes. The AI-assisted approach is faster for most apps. The manual approach gives you full control and is useful when you want to understand each change or when your app has heavy customization.

If you encounter any problems with the migration, see Troubleshoot React Native 0.83 Migration Issues.

Prerequisites

Before starting the migration, confirm you meet the following requirements:

• Vega SDK 0.24 installed
• Node.js version 22.14.0 or higher
• npm (included with Node 22)
• git, with a clean working tree and backup branch
• Vega Fire TV device with Developer Mode for testing

Commit your current work before starting, so you can roll back if needed.

cd /path/to/your/vega-app
git add .
git commit -m "Pre-upgrade checkpoint"

AI-assisted migration

The Amazon Devices Builder Tools Model Context Protocol (MCP) server includes an AI Assisted Upgrade Helper built for React Native version migrations on Vega. The helper provides:

• Vega-specific context — Understands Vega requirements and constraints
• Automated TODO generation — Creates a checklist of upgrade tasks
• Version-specific knowledge — Loads configuration details specific to React Native 0.83
• Interactive step-by-step guidance — Walks you through each change with explanations
• Checkpointing and resume — Save progress and resume the upgrade later

Install the MCP server

Install the Amazon Devices Builder Tools MCP server:

npx -y @amazon-devices/amazon-devices-buildertools-mcp@latest init-context

This prompts you to select your AI coding assistant and configure the MCP server for it.

To configure the MCP server manually, add the following to your AI agent's MCP settings JSON:

"amazon-devices-buildertools-mcp": {
  "command": "npx",
  "args": ["-y", "@amazon-devices/amazon-devices-buildertools-mcp@latest"],
  "type": "stdio"
}

Verify your setup:

npx -y @amazon-devices/amazon-devices-buildertools-mcp@latest check-status

Your agent's context document and MCP configuration both show as configured.

Verify the MCP version is 0.1.31 or higher:

npx -y @amazon-devices/amazon-devices-buildertools-mcp@latest --version

Trigger the upgrade helper

Use your AI coding assistant and run the following prompt command.

For Kiro, Claude Code, or Cline:

/prompt react_native_for_vega_ai_assisted_rn_upgrade

Alternatively, ask directly:

Use the React Native Upgrade workflow from @amazon-devices/amazon-devices-buildertools-mcp to upgrade my application to RN83.

The upgrade helper does the following:

1. Asks for your working directory, or detects it if you're already in the project.
2. Detects your current React Native version from package.json.
3. Validates your project structure and environment.
4. Loads Vega-specific knowledge for React Native 0.83.
5. Generates a TODO list of all required changes.
6. Enters interactive mode where you can work through changes step-by-step.

Review the generated TODO list

The upgrade helper generates a TODO file in your project directory named RN_UPGRADE_TODO_[current_version]_to_0.83.md. For example, RN_UPGRADE_TODO_0.72_to_0.83.md.

Verify this file was created in your project directory. This confirms the upgrade helper initialized correctly.

The TODO file includes:

• Progress tracking with checkboxes
• Priority indicators, from critical to low
• Detailed implementation steps for each change
• Code examples and file references

Work through changes interactively

The upgrade helper enters an interactive mode with a command-based interface. You see a menu showing all pending changes organized by priority.

Interactive commands

• [1-N] — Select a change by number to view its implementation guide. For simple changes, the AI may offer to implement the change automatically.
• complete — Mark the current change as done after manual implementation.
• build — Report a build error for knowledge-grounded troubleshooting.
• status — View a detailed progress report.
• help — Show the command reference.
• exit — Save progress and exit. This creates .rn-upgrade-checkpoint.json so you can resume later.

To work through the changes:

1. Review the pending changes the helper displays, grouped by priority.
2. To select a change, type its number.
3. Review the implementation guide with detailed steps.
4. Accept the AI's offer to implement the change, or implement it manually and type complete.
5. Repeat for the remaining changes.

Progress is saved automatically. You can pause at any time and resume later by running the upgrade command again.

Build and test

After you complete the upgrade changes, ask your AI assistant to build and run the app on your connected Vega device. The AI handles the build, deployment, and launch.

If you encounter build errors, the upgrade helper can walk you through the problems and provide solutions. You can also ask about specific changes, such as which package.json dependency changes an RN83 upgrade requires.

For the manual build and verification commands, see Step 7: Build and Verify.

Manual migration

To migrate your app yourself, follow the steps below in order. Steps 1–4 and 6–7 are required for all apps. Step 5 is only required if your app uses the Carousel component.

Related topics

• React Native for Vega 0.83
• Supported Libraries and Services
• Library Developer Guidance
• Troubleshoot React Native 0.83 Migration Issues

External resources

• React Native 0.83 Release Notes
• React 19 Release Blog

• Next – Step 1: Dependency Updates

Last updated: Jul 29, 2026