RTL Layout Direction Not Updating after app reload with New React Native Architecture

[serhii-yalla]

Description

When using I18nManager to switch the layout direction between RTL (Right-to-Left) and LTR (Left-to-Right), the changes do not reflect after reload on the UI(doesn't force styles), but apply for animations. This issue appears specifically with the new React Native architecture. The styles and layout directions are only applied correctly after the app is fully restarted.

Steps to reproduce

1. Set up a React Native project with the new architecture enabled.
2. Use I18nManager.forceRTL(true/false) to change the layout direction and use react-native-restart. to restart the app.
3. Observe that the UI does not update immediately(styles not forced to be like text-align: right).

React Native Version

0.74.0

Affected Platforms

Runtime - iOS, Build - MacOS

Areas

Fabric - The New Renderer, TurboModule - The New Native Module System, JSI - Javascript Interface, Bridgeless - The New Initialization Flow, Codegen

Output of npx react-native info

System:
  OS: macOS 14.5
  CPU: (10) arm64 Apple M1 Max
  Memory: 272.36 MB / 32.00 GB
  Shell:
    version: "5.9"
    path: /bin/zsh
Binaries:
  Node:
    version: 20.10.0
    path: ~/.nvm/versions/node/v20.10.0/bin/node
  Yarn:
    version: 4.3.1
    path: ~/.nvm/versions/node/v20.10.0/bin/yarn
  npm:
    version: 10.2.3
    path: ~/.nvm/versions/node/v20.10.0/bin/npm
  Watchman:
    version: 2024.07.15.00
    path: /opt/homebrew/bin/watchman
Managers:
  CocoaPods:
    version: 1.15.2
    path: /usr/local/bin/pod
SDKs:
  iOS SDK:
    Platforms:
      - DriverKit 23.5
      - iOS 17.5
      - macOS 14.5
      - tvOS 17.5
      - visionOS 1.2
      - watchOS 10.5
  Android SDK: Not Found
IDEs:
  Android Studio: 2024.1 AI-241.18034.62.2411.12071903
  Xcode:
    version: 15.4/15F31d
    path: /usr/bin/xcodebuild
Languages:
  Java:
    version: 17.0.11
    path: /usr/bin/javac
  Ruby:
    version: 2.6.10
    path: /usr/bin/ruby
npmPackages:
  "@react-native-community/cli": Not Found
  react:
    installed: 18.2.0
    wanted: 18.2.0
  react-native:
    installed: 0.74.0
    wanted: 0.74.0
  react-native-macos: Not Found
npmGlobalPackages:
  "*react-native*": Not Found
Android:
  hermesEnabled: true
  newArchEnabled: true
iOS:
  hermesEnabled: true
  newArchEnabled: true

info React Native v0.74.3 is now available (your project is running on v0.74.0).
info Changelog: https://github.com/facebook/react-native/releases/tag/v0.74.3
info Diff: https://react-native-community.github.io/upgrade-helper/?from=0.74.0
info For more info, check out "https://reactnative.dev/docs/upgrading?os=macos".

### Stacktrace or Logs

```text
No crush or failure

Reproducer

• https://github.com/serhii-yalla/RTL-Layout-Direction-Not-Updating-after-app-reload-with-New-React-Native-Architecture

Screenshots and Videos

No response

[react-native-bot]

⚠️	Missing Reproducible Example
ℹ️	We could not detect a reproducible example in your issue report. Please provide either: If your bug is UI related: a Snack If your bug is build/update related: use our Reproducer Template. A reproducer needs to be in a GitHub repository under your username.

[react-native-bot]

⚠️

Newer Version of React Native is Available!

ℹ️

You are on a supported minor version, but it looks like there's a newer patch available - 0.74.3. Please upgrade to the highest patch for your minor or latest and verify if the issue persists (alternatively, create a new project and repro the issue in it). If it does not repro, please let us know so we can close out this issue. This helps us ensure we are looking at issues that still exist in the most recent releases.

[react-native-bot]

⚠️	Missing Reproducible Example
ℹ️	We could not detect a reproducible example in your issue report. Please provide either: If your bug is UI related: a Snack If your bug is build/update related: use our Reproducer Template

[react-native-bot]

⚠️

Newer Version of React Native is Available!

ℹ️

You are on a supported minor version, but it looks like there's a newer patch available - undefined. Please upgrade to the highest patch for your minor or latest and verify if the issue persists (alternatively, create a new project and repro the issue in it). If it does not repro, please let us know so we can close out this issue. This helps us ensure we are looking at issues that still exist in the most recent releases.

[cortinico]

@serhii-yalla is the same behavior happening also on Old Arch?

[serhii-yalla]

@serhii-yalla is the same behavior happening also on Old Arch?

No. On the old arch reload forces styles to change. So it works as expected

[cortinico]

@serhii-yalla great thanks for the info.
Could you add a couple of videos of OldArch/NewArch? It would make it easier for me to find an owner for this one.