[iOS] Inconsistent Podfile.lock checksums for ReactNativeDependencies and React-Core-prebuilt across machines and directories

[mlisikbf]

Description

With RCT_USE_PREBUILT_RNCORE and RCT_USE_RN_DEP enabled, pod install will produce different result on the same machine depending on project directory (and on different machines, likely for the same reason).

#54891 is related (regarding hermes engine).

Steps to reproduce

Follow instructions in reproducer:

clone the repository and run pod install - note changes in Podfile.lock:

git clone git@github.com:mlisikbf/RNDepsPodfileLock.git
cd RNDepsPodfileLock
npm i && (cd ios; pod install; cd -)
git diff

pull another clone into a different dir - note changes in Podfile.lock do not match the other clone:

git clone git@github.com:mlisikbf/RNDepsPodfileLock.git RNDepsPodfileLock2
cd RNDepsPodfileLock2
npm i && (cd ios; pod install; cd -)
git diff

the reproducer was created with npx @react-native-community/cli@latest init --version 0.84.0-rc.4, the only change is in Podfile:

ENV['RCT_USE_RN_DEP'] = '1'
ENV['RCT_USE_PREBUILT_RNCORE'] = '1'

React Native Version

0.83.1; 0.84-rc.4

Affected Platforms

Build - MacOS

Output of npx @react-native-community/cli info

System:
  OS: macOS 26.2
  CPU: (11) arm64 Apple M3 Pro
  Memory: 219.42 MB / 18.00 GB
  Shell:
    version: "5.9"
    path: /bin/zsh
Binaries:
  Node:
    version: 22.14.0
    path: /Users/mlisik/.nvm/versions/node/v22.14.0/bin/node
  Yarn:
    version: 1.22.22
    path: /Users/mlisik/.nvm/versions/node/v22.14.0/bin/yarn
  npm:
    version: 11.7.0
    path: /Users/mlisik/.nvm/versions/node/v22.14.0/bin/npm
  Watchman:
    version: 2025.04.14.00
    path: /opt/homebrew/bin/watchman
Managers:
  CocoaPods:
    version: 1.16.2
    path: /Users/mlisik/.rbenv/shims/pod
SDKs:
  iOS SDK:
    Platforms:
      - DriverKit 25.2
      - iOS 26.2
      - macOS 26.2
      - tvOS 26.2
      - visionOS 26.2
      - watchOS 26.2
  Android SDK: Not Found
IDEs:
  Android Studio: 2025.2 AI-252.28238.7.2523.14688667
  Xcode:
    version: 26.2/17C52
    path: /usr/bin/xcodebuild
Languages:
  Java:
    version: 17.0.16
    path: /usr/bin/javac
  Ruby:
    version: 2.6.10
    path: /Users/mlisik/.rbenv/shims/ruby
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: 0.84.0-rc.4
    wanted: 0.84.0-rc.4
  react-native-macos: Not Found
npmGlobalPackages:
  "*react-native*": Not Found
Android:
  hermesEnabled: true
  newArchEnabled: true
iOS:
  hermesEnabled: true
  newArchEnabled: true

Stacktrace or Logs

N/A

MANDATORY Reproducer

https://github.com/mlisikbf/RNDepsPodfileLock

Screenshots and Videos

podfile.lock.mp4