React 19 Changed Refs Forever 😳 | No More forwardRef?

React 19 lets function components receive `ref` directly as a prop—but does that mean `forwardRef` is gone? In this React 19 tutorial in Hindi, we compare React 18 vs React 19 and understand the new **ref as a prop** syntax through a practical input-focus example.

Before React 19, we commonly used `forwardRef` to pass a ref from a parent component to a DOM element inside a child component. React 19 makes this much simpler: a function component can receive `ref` directly through its props and connect it to the required element.

In this video, you will learn:

✅ What is a ref in React?
✅ Why was `forwardRef` required in React 18?
✅ How to use `forwardRef` with a practical example
✅ How `ref` works as a prop in React 19
✅ React 18 vs React 19 ref syntax
✅ Will existing `forwardRef` code still work?
✅ Should we still use `forwardRef` in new projects?

Important clarification: `forwardRef` is no longer necessary for new React 19 function components, but your existing `forwardRef` code will not suddenly break. Projects and libraries supporting older React versions may continue using it for compatibility.

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⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERS

00:00 Do We Still Need forwardRef in React 19?
00:50 React 18 vs React 19
01:05 Must-Watch React 19 Videos
01:20 React 19 Live Online Classes
02:35 What Is a Ref in React?
03:30 React 18 Example: Why forwardRef?
08:21 Using forwardRef in React 18
09:08 Ref as a Prop in React 19
11:50 Final Answer: Is forwardRef Gone?

If this explanation helped you, like the video and comment: Will you migrate your existing `forwardRef` code to React 19’s new ref prop?

#React19 #forwardRef #ReactJS