Google Launches Jetpack Navigation 3- A Compose-First Navigation for Android App Routing

On May 20, 2025, Google unveiled Jetpack Navigation 3 (Nav3), a Compose-first navigation library that overhauls how Android developers manage screen transitions. Nav3 discards legacy constraints and offers a flexible, developer-controlled back stack built on Compose state.

Nav3 replaces the rigid NavHost model with a system where developers manage a SnapshotStateList<T> as the back stack. This approach eliminates indirect state observation and enables direct manipulation of navigation flows. The library also introduces Scenes, a layout API that supports multi-pane interfaces, like list-detail views, without workarounds.

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Animations come built-in, including support for predictive back gestures. Developers can override these animations globally or per screen. Nav3 also scopes state to each destination, with optional ViewModel integration, and supports modular navigation code for faster builds and clearer separation of concerns.

Google has published a set of recipes to help developers implement common patterns using Nav3’s modular components. This release marks a significant shift in Android navigation, aligning with Compose’s declarative model and giving developers more control over their app architecture.