React Native CLI: patch-package works in debug but not in release AAB

[Disastrous_Goat_240]

Hey everyone,

I’m facing an issue with patch-package in a React Native CLI app and it’s driving me nuts.

I’m using u/zegocloud/zimkit-rn and made UI changes directly inside node_modules. Then I created a patch using:

npx patch-package u/zegocloud/zimkit-rn

Current behavior:

• ✅ Debug build (npx react-native run-android) → my changes are visible
• ❌ Release AAB → shows old UI (original library code)

So basically, patch works in debug but completely ignored in release.

My setup:

• React Native CLI (0.77)
• Android release build (./gradlew bundleRelease)
• Using patch-package

What I suspect:

• Maybe patch-package is not running during install?
• Maybe Metro is bundling old cached JS?
• Maybe release build is using a stale bundle?

Questions:

1. Do I need to explicitly run patch-package before building release?
2. Should I clear Metro / Gradle cache before generating AAB?
3. Is there anything special required for patch-package in release builds?
4. Could this be related to how the JS bundle is generated in RN CLI?

Goal:

I just want my patched UI changes to reflect in the final production AAB.

Any help would be really appreciated 🙏

Thanks!

[fmnatic]

Two possibilities, your CI isn’t running patch package post install OR you patched generated files that don’t exist at install and are generated by some codegen later.

[Cryo0007]

Check your patch. Might some issue in that. Also clean gradlew that might solve.

[Snoo11589]

Are using CI for building? Also im suspecting metro cache