Unlock the Power of React Router v6: A Comprehensive Migration Guide
When maintaining React apps, it’s essential to upgrade dependency libraries by refactoring our existing codebases over time. One such critical upgrade is migrating from React Router v5 to v6, which requires step-by-step changes in your existing codebase. Although it may seem challenging, upgrading to v6 is highly recommended, even if the transition is slightly annoying.
Issues with React Router v5
React Router v5 had some flaws, including path-matching issues, inconsistent and complex APIs, and excessive bundle and code size. These issues affected the developer’s productivity and overall app performance.
Path-matching issues
In v5, routes were queried with the most similar naming instead of exact naming. This led to unexpected behavior, such as a route name /dashboard being called when the browser route is /dashboard/test. To fix this, developers had to explicitly specify the exact prop.
API inconsistencies and complexity
v5 had inconsistent APIs and unfamiliar naming conventions, making it difficult for developers to manage their codebases. For example, v5 offered useHistory for programmatic navigation, but most developers expected useNavigate.
Excessive bundle and code size
The v5 bundle size was about four times larger than React, leading to heavy application bundles and slow performance.
Migrating to React Router v6
To upgrade to React Router v6, you can either create a new project or upgrade an existing one using npm. React Router v6 extensively uses React Hooks, requiring React v16.8 or above.
What’s changed in React Router v6?
Setting up routes
In v6, routes have been simplified, and we no longer need to use Switch to query them. Instead, we use a “required” component called Routes, which only searches for routes by name.
useNavigate vs. useHistory
In v6, we use useNavigate instead of useHistory for handling navigation programmatically. This change fixes naming confusion and provides a more intuitive API.
Understanding changes in NavLink
The NavLink component interface has also changed in v6. We can now specify exact route paths using the end prop, and style active links using a function with the destructured argument {isActive}.
What was removed from React Router v6?
Two features were removed from v6: Prompt, usePrompt, and useBlocker, as well as nested routers support. However, the developer community has created libraries to fill these gaps.
Why doesn’t React Router v6 work in your app?
Common issues after migrating to v6 include unexpected behaviors, error messages, and warning messages. These can be caused by breaking changes in v6 or deprecated API usage.
Benefits of React Router v6 over v5
Upgrading to v6 offers several benefits, including:
- Reduced bundle size (around 60% smaller than v5)
- Simplified route definitions
- Improved navigation API
- Cleaner codebase
By following this guide, you’ll be able to upgrade your React Router version and restructure your codebases to work seamlessly with React Router v6.