React Navigation 6.x, fresh from the oven

Sahoo traces navigation from iOS-only NavigatorIOS through JavaScript libraries such as Navigator and NavigationExperimental, then native options from Wix and Airbnb. He explains how React Navigation 5 replaced the static API with a dynamic, component-based one, and React Navigation 6 keeps that core API while refining it.

React Navigation 6 lets developers set navigator defaults with `screenOptions` and override them for individual screens, enabling changes such as a different tab bar style on the Albums screen. Sahoo also describes React Navigation Elements and quality-of-life improvements, including simpler modal presentation, custom headers, transparent modals, and backgrounds for bottom tabs.

Sahoo says deeply nested navigators can complicate TypeScript, navigation calls, performance, and memory use. React Navigation 6 lets one stack mix regular and modal screens, adds `Group` for shared screen options without rendering another navigator, and provides headers by default in drawers and bottom tabs.

For new apps, React Navigation 6 sets up the native stack by default, while keeping the JavaScript stack available for greater customization. Sahoo also covers improved TypeScript checking for `useNavigation` and a custom Flipper plugin that displays navigation and deep link information; the plugin does not work with Expo.

Sahoo points developers to the upgrade guide for required breaking changes, deprecations, and caveats when mixing React Navigation 5 and 6 packages. He also invites the community to contribute documentation, answer questions, triage issues, review pull requests, join GitHub Discussions, and sponsor the project.