FlatList with initialScrollIndex skips earlier items when list fits viewport
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Description
Description
If initialScrollIndex is set to a non-zero value and the list fits entirely on screen, items before that index are not rendered on Android.
You land at the correct index, but the items before it never appear and can’t be reached
Steps to reproduce
- Render a short FlatList so all items fit in the viewport (no scrolling)
- Set
initialScrollIndexto something > 0 - Provide
getItemLayout
The provided expo snack has a complete demo example with trigger buttons.
React Native Version
0.84.1
Affected Platforms
Runtime - Android
Output of npx @react-native-community/cli info
System:
OS: Windows 11 10.0.26200
CPU: "(16) x64 AMD Ryzen 7 6800H with Radeon Graphics "
Memory: 4.72 GB / 15.25 GB
Binaries:
Node:
version: 23.5.0
path: C:\Program Files\nodejs\node.EXE
Yarn:
version: 1.22.22
path: C:\Users\Andrei\AppData\Roaming\npm\yarn.CMD
npm:
version: 11.9.0
path: C:\Program Files\nodejs\npm.CMD
Watchman: Not Found
SDKs:
Android SDK: Not Found
Windows SDK:
AllowAllTrustedApps: Enabled
Versions:
- 10.0.26100.0
IDEs:
Android Studio: Not Found
Visual Studio: Not Found
Languages:
Java:
version: 23.0.1
path: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Oracle\Java\javapath\javac.EXE
Ruby: Not Found
npmPackages:
"@react-native-community/cli":
installed: 20.1.0
wanted: 20.1.0
react:
installed: 19.2.3
wanted: 19.2.3
react-native:
installed: 0.84.1
wanted: 0.84.1
react-native-windows: Not Found
npmGlobalPackages:
"*react-native*": Not Found
Android:
hermesEnabled: true
newArchEnabled: true
iOS:
hermesEnabled: Not found
newArchEnabled: Not found
Stacktrace or Logs
There is no crash or thrown error in this case.
This is a rendering issue:
MANDATORY Reproducer
https://snack.expo.dev/@andyhoover/flatlist-initialscrollindex-bug-2026
Screenshots and Videos
Contributor guide
First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
Start with the Expo Snack reproducer and inspect the FlatList behavior on Android when initialScrollIndex is non-zero, the list fits the viewport, and getItemLayout is provided. Trace the relevant React Native Android entry points, then verify that all earlier items render and remain reachable while the initial index is still selected.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- android, react-native
- Domain
- mobile
- Issue type
- Bug
- Difficulty
- 4/5
- Estimated time
- 3-5 days
- Activity status
- Quiet
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 48/100