Update the existing Create React App project to the Latest Version in 2025

Understand the step-by-step process for seamless updation:

1. Know the Current State of Create React App (CRA)

  • CRA is in maintenance mode and deprecated for new projects.
  • The React team recommends using Next.js or Vite for new apps, but you can still update and maintain existing CRA projects.

2. Update react-scripts to the Latest

  • Open your project’s root folder.
  • Run the following command to update the core build tooling:
npm install react-scripts@latest

or, if you use Yarn:

yarn add react-scripts@latest
  • This updates your project to use the latest version of react-scripts, which includes the latest features and fixes.

3. Update React and ReactDOM (Optional but Recommended)

  • To get the latest React features, also update the core libraries:
npm install react@latest react-dom@latest

or

yarn add react@latest react-dom@latest

If you move to React 18+, update your entry point to use the new root API:

// Before:import ReactDOM from ‘react-dom’;

ReactDOM.render(<App />, document.getElementById(‘root’));

 

// After:

import ReactDOM from ‘react-dom/client’;

const root = ReactDOM.createRoot(document.getElementById(‘root’));

root.render(<App />);

Also Read: Expert’s Step-by-Step Guide for Hiring Top ReactJS Developers in 2025

4. Remove Any Old Global Installations

If you previously installed CRA globally, uninstall it to avoid version conflicts:

npm uninstall -g create-react-app

or

yarn global remove create-react-app

Always use npx create-react-app for new projects to ensure you get the latest version.

5. Check the Changelog and Migration Guides

  • Check the changelog for breaking changes or manual migration steps.
  • Apply any recommended code or config changes for the versions you’re skipping.

6. Consider Migrating to Modern Alternatives

  • For new projects or full rewrites, consider using Vite, Next.js or other modern React frameworks, they have faster builds and better long-term support.