diff --git a/.github/file-filters.yml b/.github/file-filters.yml
index ce33af45d8..3d0cf6eb3a 100644
--- a/.github/file-filters.yml
+++ b/.github/file-filters.yml
@@ -16,4 +16,59 @@ high_risk_code: &high_risk_code
   - 'scripts/sentry-xcode.sh'
   - 'scripts/sentry-xcode-debug-files.sh'
   - 'sentry.gradle'
-  
+
+# --- Platform-specific filters for CI optimization ---
+# Used by detect-changes.yml to skip platform-irrelevant CI jobs.
+
+# Changes to the SDK's iOS native code only (packages/core).
+# Does NOT include sample apps — sample changes have their own filters below.
+ios_native:
+  - 'packages/core/ios/**'
+  - 'packages/core/RNSentryCocoaTester/**'
+  - 'packages/core/RNSentry.podspec'
+
+# Changes to the SDK's Android native code only (packages/core).
+# Does NOT include sample apps — sample changes have their own filters below.
+android_native:
+  - 'packages/core/android/**'
+  - 'packages/core/RNSentryAndroidTester/**'
+  - 'packages/core/sentry.gradle'
+
+# Changes to JS/TS source code (affects ALL platforms)
+js_source:
+  - 'packages/core/src/**'
+  - 'packages/core/plugin/**'
+  - 'packages/core/scripts/**'
+  - 'packages/core/package.json'
+  - 'packages/core/tsconfig.json'
+
+# Changes to JS/TS test files only
+js_test:
+  - 'packages/core/test/**'
+
+# Changes to the React Native sample app.
+# Triggers: sample-application.yml, buildandtest.yml (job_bundle).
+# Does NOT trigger: native-tests.yml, e2e-v2.yml, sample-application-expo.yml.
+sample_react_native:
+  - 'samples/react-native/**'
+  - 'samples/react-native-macos/**'
+
+# Changes to the Expo sample app.
+# Triggers: sample-application-expo.yml only.
+# Does NOT trigger: native-tests.yml, e2e-v2.yml, sample-application.yml.
+sample_expo:
+  - 'samples/expo/**'
+
+# Changes to E2E test infrastructure
+e2e_tests:
+  - 'dev-packages/e2e-tests/**'
+
+# Changes to performance test infrastructure
+perf_tests:
+  - 'performance-tests/**'
+
+# CI workflow or infrastructure changes (should trigger everything)
+ci:
+  - '.github/workflows/**'
+  - '.github/actions/**'
+  - '.github/file-filters.yml'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/detect-changes.yml b/.github/workflows/detect-changes.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..648d748fed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/detect-changes.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,170 @@
+name: Detect Changes
+on:
+  workflow_call:
+    inputs:
+      # Pass the caller's event name and ref so we can detect push-to-main/release.
+      # Inside a reusable workflow github.event_name is always 'workflow_call',
+      # so the caller must forward the real values explicitly.
+      caller_event_name:
+        description: 'The triggering event name from the caller (github.event_name)'
+        required: true
+        type: string
+      caller_ref:
+        description: 'The triggering ref from the caller (github.ref)'
+        required: true
+        type: string
+    outputs:
+      # Raw filter outputs — exposed for fine-grained use by callers
+      ios_native:
+        description: 'Whether SDK iOS native files changed'
+        value: ${{ jobs.changes.outputs.ios_native }}
+      android_native:
+        description: 'Whether SDK Android native files changed'
+        value: ${{ jobs.changes.outputs.android_native }}
+      js_source:
+        description: 'Whether JS/TS source files changed'
+        value: ${{ jobs.changes.outputs.js_source }}
+      js_test:
+        description: 'Whether JS/TS test files changed'
+        value: ${{ jobs.changes.outputs.js_test }}
+      sample_react_native:
+        description: 'Whether the React Native sample app changed'
+        value: ${{ jobs.changes.outputs.sample_react_native }}
+      sample_expo:
+        description: 'Whether the Expo sample app changed'
+        value: ${{ jobs.changes.outputs.sample_expo }}
+      e2e_tests:
+        description: 'Whether E2E test infrastructure changed'
+        value: ${{ jobs.changes.outputs.e2e_tests }}
+      perf_tests:
+        description: 'Whether performance test infrastructure changed'
+        value: ${{ jobs.changes.outputs.perf_tests }}
+      ci:
+        description: 'Whether CI workflow/action files changed'
+        value: ${{ jobs.changes.outputs.ci }}
+      # Convenience outputs consumed by individual workflows
+      needs_ios:
+        description: 'Whether iOS jobs should run (native tests, E2E, sample builds)'
+        value: ${{ jobs.changes.outputs.needs_ios }}
+      needs_android:
+        description: 'Whether Android jobs should run (native tests, E2E, sample builds)'
+        value: ${{ jobs.changes.outputs.needs_android }}
+      needs_sample_react_native:
+        description: 'Whether the React Native sample app workflow should run'
+        value: ${{ jobs.changes.outputs.needs_sample_react_native }}
+      needs_sample_expo:
+        description: 'Whether the Expo sample app workflow should run'
+        value: ${{ jobs.changes.outputs.needs_sample_expo }}
+
+jobs:
+  changes:
+    name: Detect file changes
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    outputs:
+      ios_native: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.ios_native }}
+      android_native: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.android_native }}
+      js_source: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.js_source }}
+      js_test: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.js_test }}
+      sample_react_native: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.sample_react_native }}
+      sample_expo: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.sample_expo }}
+      e2e_tests: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.e2e_tests }}
+      perf_tests: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.perf_tests }}
+      ci: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.ci }}
+      needs_ios: ${{ steps.evaluate.outputs.needs_ios }}
+      needs_android: ${{ steps.evaluate.outputs.needs_android }}
+      needs_sample_react_native: ${{ steps.evaluate.outputs.needs_sample_react_native }}
+      needs_sample_expo: ${{ steps.evaluate.outputs.needs_sample_expo }}
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Detect changed paths
+        uses: dorny/paths-filter@de90cc6fb38fc0963ad72b210f1f284cd68cea36 # v3.0.2
+        id: filter
+        with:
+          filters: .github/file-filters.yml
+
+      - name: Evaluate what needs to run
+        id: evaluate
+        env:
+          IOS_NATIVE: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.ios_native }}
+          ANDROID_NATIVE: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.android_native }}
+          JS_SOURCE: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.js_source }}
+          SAMPLE_RN: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.sample_react_native }}
+          SAMPLE_EXPO: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.sample_expo }}
+          CI_CHANGED: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.ci }}
+          E2E_TESTS: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.e2e_tests }}
+          IS_MAIN_OR_RELEASE: ${{ inputs.caller_event_name == 'push' && (inputs.caller_ref == 'refs/heads/main' || startsWith(inputs.caller_ref, 'refs/heads/release/')) }}
+        run: |
+          echo "--- Change Detection Summary ---"
+          echo "ios_native=$IOS_NATIVE"
+          echo "android_native=$ANDROID_NATIVE"
+          echo "js_source=$JS_SOURCE"
+          echo "sample_react_native=$SAMPLE_RN"
+          echo "sample_expo=$SAMPLE_EXPO"
+          echo "ci=$CI_CHANGED"
+          echo "e2e_tests=$E2E_TESTS"
+          echo "is_main_or_release=$IS_MAIN_OR_RELEASE"
+
+          # iOS/Android native test suites and E2E builds run when:
+          # - The SDK's own native code changed (packages/core/ios or android)
+          # - JS source changed (may affect native bridges)
+          # - CI config changed (need to validate workflows themselves)
+          # - E2E test infra changed (they test both platforms end-to-end)
+          # - Push to main or release branch (always run everything)
+          # Sample app changes do NOT trigger the full native test suite —
+          # they only trigger their own sample-application workflows.
+          # Performance test changes do NOT trigger native tests either —
+          # they only trigger the metrics job in e2e-v2.yml.
+          if [[ "$IOS_NATIVE" == "true" \
+             || "$JS_SOURCE" == "true" \
+             || "$CI_CHANGED" == "true" \
+             || "$E2E_TESTS" == "true" \
+             || "$IS_MAIN_OR_RELEASE" == "true" ]]; then
+            echo "needs_ios=true" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "=> needs_ios=true"
+          else
+            echo "needs_ios=false" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "=> needs_ios=false"
+          fi
+
+          if [[ "$ANDROID_NATIVE" == "true" \
+             || "$JS_SOURCE" == "true" \
+             || "$CI_CHANGED" == "true" \
+             || "$E2E_TESTS" == "true" \
+             || "$IS_MAIN_OR_RELEASE" == "true" ]]; then
+            echo "needs_android=true" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "=> needs_android=true"
+          else
+            echo "needs_android=false" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "=> needs_android=false"
+          fi
+
+          # React Native sample workflow runs when the RN sample itself changed,
+          # or when anything that the sample depends on changed (SDK source, CI).
+          if [[ "$SAMPLE_RN" == "true" \
+             || "$JS_SOURCE" == "true" \
+             || "$IOS_NATIVE" == "true" \
+             || "$ANDROID_NATIVE" == "true" \
+             || "$CI_CHANGED" == "true" \
+             || "$IS_MAIN_OR_RELEASE" == "true" ]]; then
+            echo "needs_sample_react_native=true" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "=> needs_sample_react_native=true"
+          else
+            echo "needs_sample_react_native=false" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "=> needs_sample_react_native=false"
+          fi
+
+          # Expo sample workflow runs when the Expo sample itself changed,
+          # or when anything that the sample depends on changed (SDK source, CI).
+          if [[ "$SAMPLE_EXPO" == "true" \
+             || "$JS_SOURCE" == "true" \
+             || "$IOS_NATIVE" == "true" \
+             || "$ANDROID_NATIVE" == "true" \
+             || "$CI_CHANGED" == "true" \
+             || "$IS_MAIN_OR_RELEASE" == "true" ]]; then
+            echo "needs_sample_expo=true" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "=> needs_sample_expo=true"
+          else
+            echo "needs_sample_expo=false" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "=> needs_sample_expo=false"
+          fi
diff --git a/.github/workflows/e2e-v2.yml b/.github/workflows/e2e-v2.yml
index 51e4ee795b..54b06f0500 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/e2e-v2.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/e2e-v2.yml
@@ -29,12 +29,18 @@ jobs:
   diff_check:
     needs: [ready-to-merge-gate]
     uses: ./.github/workflows/skip-ci.yml
+  detect-changes:
+    needs: [ready-to-merge-gate]
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/detect-changes.yml
+    with:
+      caller_event_name: ${{ github.event_name }}
+      caller_ref: ${{ github.ref }}
   auth_token_check:
     uses: ./.github/workflows/skip-ci-noauth.yml
     secrets: inherit
   metrics:
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.runs-on }}
-    needs: [diff_check, auth_token_check]
+    needs: [diff_check, detect-changes, auth_token_check]
     if: ${{ needs.diff_check.outputs.skip_ci != 'true' && needs.auth_token_check.outputs.skip_ci != 'true' && !startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/heads/release/') }}
     env:
       SENTRY_DISABLE_AUTO_UPLOAD: 'true'
@@ -56,13 +62,37 @@ jobs:
             name: Android
             appPlain: performance-tests/TestAppPlain/android/app/build/outputs/apk/release/app-release.apk
     steps:
+      - name: Check if platform is needed
+        id: platform-check
+        run: |
+          # Performance test changes should always run metrics (that's the
+          # whole point). The needs_ios/needs_android flags only track SDK
+          # source & native code — not performance-tests/** files.
+          PERF_CHANGED="${{ needs.detect-changes.outputs.perf_tests }}"
+
+          if [[ "$PERF_CHANGED" == "true" ]]; then
+            echo "skip=false" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "Performance tests changed — running metrics for ${{ matrix.platform }}."
+          elif [[ "${{ matrix.platform }}" == "ios" && "${{ needs.detect-changes.outputs.needs_ios }}" != "true" ]]; then
+            echo "skip=true" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "Skipping iOS — no relevant changes detected."
+          elif [[ "${{ matrix.platform }}" == "android" && "${{ needs.detect-changes.outputs.needs_android }}" != "true" ]]; then
+            echo "skip=true" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "Skipping Android — no relevant changes detected."
+          else
+            echo "skip=false" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          fi
+
       - uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
 
       - uses: ./.github/actions/disk-cleanup
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'android' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'android' }}
 
       - run: corepack enable
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
       - uses: actions/setup-node@53b83947a5a98c8d113130e565377fae1a50d02f # v6
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         with:
           package-manager-cache: false
           node-version: 20
@@ -70,32 +100,38 @@ jobs:
           cache-dependency-path: yarn.lock
 
       - name: Install Ninja
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'android' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'android' }}
         run: sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y ninja-build
 
       - uses: actions/setup-java@v5
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         with:
           java-version: '17'
           distribution: 'adopt'
 
       - name: Gradle cache
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         uses: gradle/gradle-build-action@v3
 
       - uses: ruby/setup-ruby@v1
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
         with:
           ruby-version: '3.3.0'
 
       - name: Install Global Dependencies
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         run: npm i -g react-native-cli @sentry/cli
 
       - name: Install Dependencies
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         run: yarn install
 
       - name: Build SDK
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         run: yarn build
 
       - uses: actions/cache@v5
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         id: app-plain-cache
         with:
           path: ${{ matrix.appPlain }}
@@ -107,7 +143,7 @@ jobs:
           key: ${{ github.workflow }}-${{ github.job }}-appplain-${{ matrix.platform }}-${{ matrix.rn-architecture }}-${{ hashFiles('performance-tests/TestAppSentry/package.json') }}
 
       - name: Build app plain
-        if: steps.app-plain-cache.outputs['cache-hit'] != 'true'
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && steps.app-plain-cache.outputs['cache-hit'] != 'true' }}
         working-directory: ./performance-tests/TestAppPlain
         run: |
           cd ${{ matrix.platform }}
@@ -137,6 +173,7 @@ jobs:
           MATCH_USERNAME: ${{ secrets.MATCH_USERNAME }}
 
       - name: Build app with Sentry
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         working-directory: ./performance-tests/TestAppSentry
         run: |
           cd ${{ matrix.platform }}
@@ -167,6 +204,7 @@ jobs:
           MATCH_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.MATCH_PASSWORD }}
           MATCH_USERNAME: ${{ secrets.MATCH_USERNAME }}
       - name: Collect apps metrics
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         uses: getsentry/action-app-sdk-overhead-metrics@ecce2e2718b6d97ad62220fca05627900b061ed5
         with:
           name: ${{ matrix.name }} (${{ matrix.rn-architecture }})
@@ -177,7 +215,7 @@ jobs:
   react-native-build:
     name: Build RN ${{ matrix.rn-version }} ${{ matrix.rn-architecture }} ${{ matrix.engine }} ${{ matrix.platform }} ${{ matrix.build-type }} ${{ matrix.ios-use-frameworks }}
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.runs-on }}
-    needs: [diff_check, auth_token_check]
+    needs: [diff_check, detect-changes, auth_token_check]
     if: ${{ needs.diff_check.outputs.skip_ci != 'true' && needs.auth_token_check.outputs.skip_ci != 'true' && !startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/heads/release/') }}
     env:
       RN_VERSION: ${{ matrix.rn-version }}
@@ -235,28 +273,47 @@ jobs:
             ios-use-frameworks: 'dynamic'
 
     steps:
+      - name: Check if platform is needed
+        id: platform-check
+        run: |
+          if [[ "${{ matrix.platform }}" == "ios" && "${{ needs.detect-changes.outputs.needs_ios }}" != "true" ]]; then
+            echo "skip=true" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "Skipping iOS — no relevant changes detected."
+          elif [[ "${{ matrix.platform }}" == "android" && "${{ needs.detect-changes.outputs.needs_android }}" != "true" ]]; then
+            echo "skip=true" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "Skipping Android — no relevant changes detected."
+          else
+            echo "skip=false" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          fi
+
       - uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
 
       - uses: ./.github/actions/disk-cleanup
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'android' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'android' }}
 
       - name: Sentry Release
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         run: |
           SENTRY_RELEASE_CANDIDATE=$(echo 'e2e/${{ github.ref }}' | perl -pe 's/\//-/g')
           echo "SENTRY_RELEASE=$SENTRY_RELEASE_CANDIDATE" >> $GITHUB_ENV
 
       - name: Sentry Dist
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         run: |
           SENTRY_DIST_CANDIDATE=${{ matrix.rn-version }}-${{ matrix.rn-architecture }}-${{ matrix.engine }}-${{ matrix.platform }}-${{ matrix.build-type }}-${{ matrix.ios-use-frameworks }}-${GITHUB_SHA:0:8}
           echo "SENTRY_DIST=$SENTRY_DIST_CANDIDATE" >> $GITHUB_ENV
 
       - name: Sentry Envs
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         run: |
           echo "SENTRY_RELEASE=$SENTRY_RELEASE"
           echo "SENTRY_DIST=$SENTRY_DIST"
 
       - run: corepack enable
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
       - uses: actions/setup-node@53b83947a5a98c8d113130e565377fae1a50d02f # v6
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         with:
           package-manager-cache: false
           node-version: 20
@@ -264,41 +321,47 @@ jobs:
           cache-dependency-path: yarn.lock
 
       - name: Install Ninja
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'android' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'android' }}
         run: sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y ninja-build
 
       - uses: actions/setup-java@v5
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         with:
           java-version: '17'
           distribution: 'adopt'
 
       - name: Gradle cache
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         uses: gradle/gradle-build-action@v3
 
       - name: Setup Global Tools
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         run: |
           npm i -g yalc semver
 
       - name: Setup Global Xcode Tools
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
         run: which xcbeautify || brew install xcbeautify
 
       - name: Install JS Dependencies
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         run: yarn install
 
       - uses: ruby/setup-ruby@v1
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
         with:
           ruby-version: '3.3.0'
 
       - name: Setup Plain RN ${{ matrix.rn-version }} App
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         run: ./dev-packages/e2e-tests/cli.mjs ${{ matrix.platform }} --create
 
       - name: Build Plain RN ${{ matrix.rn-version }} App
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         run: ./dev-packages/e2e-tests/cli.mjs ${{ matrix.platform }} --build
 
       - name: Upload App
-        if: matrix.build-type == 'production'
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.build-type == 'production' }}
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v7
         with:
           name: ${{ matrix.rn-version }}-${{ matrix.rn-architecture }}-${{ matrix.engine }}-${{ matrix.platform }}-${{ matrix.build-type }}-${{ matrix.ios-use-frameworks }}-app-package
@@ -306,7 +369,7 @@ jobs:
           retention-days: 1
 
       - name: Upload logs
-        if: ${{ always() }}
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v7
         with:
           name: rn-build-logs-${{ matrix.rn-version }}-${{ matrix.rn-architecture }}-${{ matrix.engine }}-${{ matrix.platform }}-${{ matrix.build-type }}-${{ matrix.ios-use-frameworks }}
@@ -316,7 +379,7 @@ jobs:
     name:
       Test RN ${{ matrix.rn-version }} ${{ matrix.rn-architecture }} ${{ matrix.engine }} ${{ matrix.platform }} ${{
       matrix.build-type }} ${{ matrix.ios-use-frameworks }}
-    needs: [react-native-build, diff_check]
+    needs: [react-native-build, diff_check, detect-changes]
     if: ${{ needs.diff_check.outputs.skip_ci != 'true' }}
 
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.runs-on }}
@@ -337,35 +400,52 @@ jobs:
             runs-on: ["ghcr.io/cirruslabs/ubuntu-runner-amd64:24.04", "runner_group_id:10"]
 
     steps:
+      - name: Check if platform is needed
+        id: platform-check
+        run: |
+          if [[ "${{ matrix.platform }}" == "ios" && "${{ needs.detect-changes.outputs.needs_ios }}" != "true" ]]; then
+            echo "skip=true" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "Skipping iOS — no relevant changes detected."
+          elif [[ "${{ matrix.platform }}" == "android" && "${{ needs.detect-changes.outputs.needs_android }}" != "true" ]]; then
+            echo "skip=true" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "Skipping Android — no relevant changes detected."
+          else
+            echo "skip=false" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          fi
+
       - uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
 
       - name: Install Maestro
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         uses: dniHze/maestro-test-action@bda8a93211c86d0a05b7a4597c5ad134566fbde4 # pin@v1.0.0
         with:
           version: ${{env.MAESTRO_VERSION}}
 
       - name: Install iDB Companion
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
         run: brew tap facebook/fb && brew install facebook/fb/idb-companion
 
       - uses: ./.github/actions/disk-cleanup
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'android' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'android' }}
 
       - name: Setup Global Xcode Tools
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
         run: which xcbeautify || brew install xcbeautify
 
       - name: Download App Package
-        if: matrix.build-type == 'production'
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.build-type == 'production' }}
         uses: actions/download-artifact@v8
         with:
           name: ${{ matrix.rn-version }}-${{ matrix.rn-architecture }}-${{ matrix.engine }}-${{ matrix.platform }}-${{ matrix.build-type }}-${{ matrix.ios-use-frameworks }}-app-package
           path: dev-packages/e2e-tests
 
       - name: Enable Corepack
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         run: corepack enable
 
       - uses: actions/setup-node@53b83947a5a98c8d113130e565377fae1a50d02f # v6
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         with:
           package-manager-cache: false
           node-version: 20
@@ -373,19 +453,21 @@ jobs:
           cache-dependency-path: yarn.lock
 
       - name: Install Ninja
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'android' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'android' }}
         run: sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y ninja-build
 
       - uses: actions/setup-java@v5
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         with:
           java-version: '17'
           distribution: 'adopt'
 
       - name: Gradle cache
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         uses: gradle/gradle-build-action@v3
 
       - name: Setup KVM
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'android' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'android' }}
         shell: bash
         run: |
           # check if virtualization is supported...
@@ -397,10 +479,11 @@ jobs:
           sudo udevadm trigger --name-match=kvm
 
       - name: Install JS Dependencies
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         run: yarn install
 
       - name: Run tests on Android
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'android' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'android' }}
         uses: reactivecircus/android-emulator-runner@e89f39f1abbbd05b1113a29cf4db69e7540cae5a # pin@v2.37.0
         with:
           api-level: 30
@@ -420,24 +503,24 @@ jobs:
           script: ./dev-packages/e2e-tests/cli.mjs ${{ matrix.platform }} --test
 
       - name: List available iOS simulators
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
         run: xcrun simctl list devices available
 
       - uses: futureware-tech/simulator-action@e89aa8f93d3aec35083ff49d2854d07f7186f7f5 # pin@v5
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
         with:
           model: ${{ env.IOS_DEVICE }}
           os_version: ${{ env.IOS_VERSION }}
 
       - name: Run tests on iOS
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
         env:
           # Increase timeout for Maestro iOS driver startup (default is 60s, some CI runners need more time)
           MAESTRO_DRIVER_STARTUP_TIMEOUT: 120000
         run: ./dev-packages/e2e-tests/cli.mjs ${{ matrix.platform }} --test
 
       - name: Upload logs
-        if: ${{ always() }}
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v7
         with:
           name: ${{ matrix.rn-version }}-${{ matrix.rn-architecture }}-${{ matrix.engine }}-${{ matrix.platform }}-${{ matrix.build-type }}-${{ matrix.ios-use-frameworks }}-logs
diff --git a/.github/workflows/native-tests.yml b/.github/workflows/native-tests.yml
index 42baeb965b..c8e0fa50bb 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/native-tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/native-tests.yml
@@ -24,11 +24,18 @@ jobs:
     needs: [ready-to-merge-gate]
     uses: ./.github/workflows/skip-ci.yml
 
+  detect-changes:
+    needs: [ready-to-merge-gate]
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/detect-changes.yml
+    with:
+      caller_event_name: ${{ github.event_name }}
+      caller_ref: ${{ github.ref }}
+
   test-ios:
     name: ios
     runs-on: ["ghcr.io/cirruslabs/macos-tahoe-xcode:26.2.0", "runner_group_id:10"]
-    needs: [diff_check]
-    if: ${{ needs.diff_check.outputs.skip_ci != 'true' }}
+    needs: [diff_check, detect-changes]
+    if: ${{ needs.diff_check.outputs.skip_ci != 'true' && needs.detect-changes.outputs.needs_ios == 'true' }}
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6
 
@@ -98,8 +105,8 @@ jobs:
   test-android:
     name: android
     runs-on: ["ghcr.io/cirruslabs/ubuntu-runner-amd64:24.04", "runner_group_id:10"]
-    needs: [diff_check]
-    if: ${{ needs.diff_check.outputs.skip_ci != 'true' }}
+    needs: [diff_check, detect-changes]
+    if: ${{ needs.diff_check.outputs.skip_ci != 'true' && needs.detect-changes.outputs.needs_android == 'true' }}
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/sample-application-expo.yml b/.github/workflows/sample-application-expo.yml
index 612a45324f..061deb792b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/sample-application-expo.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/sample-application-expo.yml
@@ -27,11 +27,18 @@ jobs:
     needs: [ready-to-merge-gate]
     uses: ./.github/workflows/skip-ci.yml
 
+  detect-changes:
+    needs: [ready-to-merge-gate]
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/detect-changes.yml
+    with:
+      caller_event_name: ${{ github.event_name }}
+      caller_ref: ${{ github.ref }}
+
   build:
     name: Build ${{ matrix.platform }} ${{ matrix.build-type }} ${{ matrix.ios-use-frameworks}}
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.runs-on }}
-    needs: [diff_check]
-    if: ${{ needs.diff_check.outputs.skip_ci != 'true' }}
+    needs: [diff_check, detect-changes]
+    if: ${{ needs.diff_check.outputs.skip_ci != 'true' && needs.detect-changes.outputs.needs_sample_expo == 'true' }}
     env:
       SENTRY_DISABLE_AUTO_UPLOAD: 'true'
     strategy:
@@ -52,17 +59,37 @@ jobs:
           - platform: 'android'
             ios-use-frameworks: 'dynamic-frameworks'
     steps:
+      - name: Check if platform is needed
+        id: platform-check
+        run: |
+          SAMPLE_CHANGED="${{ needs.detect-changes.outputs.sample_expo }}"
+
+          if [[ "$SAMPLE_CHANGED" == "true" ]]; then
+            echo "skip=false" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "Sample app changed — building ${{ matrix.platform }}."
+          elif [[ "${{ matrix.platform }}" == "ios" && "${{ needs.detect-changes.outputs.needs_ios }}" != "true" ]]; then
+            echo "skip=true" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "Skipping iOS — no relevant changes detected."
+          elif [[ "${{ matrix.platform }}" == "android" && "${{ needs.detect-changes.outputs.needs_android }}" != "true" ]]; then
+            echo "skip=true" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "Skipping Android — no relevant changes detected."
+          else
+            echo "skip=false" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          fi
+
       - uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
 
       - name: Enable Corepack (NPM)
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform != 'ios' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform != 'ios' }}
         run: npm i -g corepack
 
       - name: Enable Corepack
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
         run: corepack enable
 
       - uses: actions/setup-node@53b83947a5a98c8d113130e565377fae1a50d02f # v6
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         with:
           package-manager-cache: false
           node-version: 20
@@ -70,38 +97,42 @@ jobs:
           cache-dependency-path: yarn.lock
 
       - uses: ruby/setup-ruby@v1
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
         with:
-          working-directory: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' && ' samples/expo' }}
+          working-directory: samples/expo
           ruby-version: '3.3.0' # based on what is used in the sample
           bundler-cache: true # runs 'bundle install' and caches installed gems automatically
           cache-version: 1 # cache the installed gems
 
       - uses: actions/setup-java@v5
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         with:
           java-version: '17'
           distribution: 'adopt'
 
       - name: Gradle cache
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         uses: gradle/gradle-build-action@ac2d340dc04d9e1113182899e983b5400c17cda1 # v3.5.0
 
       - name: Setup Global Xcode Tools
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
         run: which xcbeautify || brew install xcbeautify
 
       - name: Install SDK Dependencies
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         run: yarn install
 
       - name: Build SDK
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         run: yarn build
 
       - name: Prebuild apps
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'android' || matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && (matrix.platform == 'android' || matrix.platform == 'ios') }}
         working-directory: samples/expo
         run: npx expo prebuild
 
       - name: Install App Pods
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
         working-directory: samples/expo/ios
         run: |
           [[ "${{ matrix.build-type }}" == "production" ]] && ENABLE_PROD=1 || ENABLE_PROD=0
@@ -113,7 +144,7 @@ jobs:
           cat Podfile.lock | grep $RN_SENTRY_POD_NAME
 
       - name: Build Android App
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'android' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'android' }}
         working-directory: samples/expo/android
         env:
           # Increase memory for Expo SDK 55 lint tasks
@@ -124,7 +155,7 @@ jobs:
           ./gradlew ":app:assemble$CONFIG" -PreactNativeArchitectures=x86
 
       - name: Build iOS App
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
         working-directory: samples/expo/ios
         env:
           # Fix for Xcode 26+ with MetalToolchain: use default Xcode toolchain to avoid
@@ -150,18 +181,19 @@ jobs:
             | xcbeautify --quieter --is-ci --disable-colored-output
 
       - name: Build Web App
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'web' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'web' }}
         working-directory: samples/expo
         run: |
           npx expo export -p web
 
       - name: Export Expo
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         working-directory: samples/expo
         run: |
           npx expo export
 
       - name: Upload logs
-        if: ${{ always() }}
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v7
         with:
           name: build-sample-expo-${{ matrix.platform }}-${{ matrix.build-type }}-${{ matrix.ios-use-frameworks}}-logs
diff --git a/.github/workflows/sample-application.yml b/.github/workflows/sample-application.yml
index b27f5c9387..fe90ca546e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/sample-application.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/sample-application.yml
@@ -35,11 +35,18 @@ jobs:
     needs: [ready-to-merge-gate]
     uses: ./.github/workflows/skip-ci.yml
 
+  detect-changes:
+    needs: [ready-to-merge-gate]
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/detect-changes.yml
+    with:
+      caller_event_name: ${{ github.event_name }}
+      caller_ref: ${{ github.ref }}
+
   build:
     name: Build ${{ matrix.rn-architecture }} ${{ matrix.platform }} ${{ matrix.build-type }} ${{ matrix.ios-use-frameworks}}
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.runs-on }}
-    needs: [diff_check]
-    if: ${{ needs.diff_check.outputs.skip_ci != 'true' }}
+    needs: [diff_check, detect-changes]
+    if: ${{ needs.diff_check.outputs.skip_ci != 'true' && needs.detect-changes.outputs.needs_sample_react_native == 'true' }}
     env:
       SENTRY_DISABLE_AUTO_UPLOAD: 'true'
     strategy:
@@ -67,17 +74,43 @@ jobs:
           - ios-use-frameworks: 'dynamic-frameworks'
             platform: 'macos'
     steps:
+      - name: Check if platform is needed
+        id: platform-check
+        run: |
+          # Sample app changes should always build all platforms (that's the
+          # whole point of this workflow).  The needs_ios/needs_android flags
+          # only track SDK source & native code — not sample app files.
+          SAMPLE_CHANGED="${{ needs.detect-changes.outputs.sample_react_native }}"
+
+          if [[ "$SAMPLE_CHANGED" == "true" ]]; then
+            echo "skip=false" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "Sample app changed — building ${{ matrix.platform }}."
+          elif [[ "${{ matrix.platform }}" == "ios" && "${{ needs.detect-changes.outputs.needs_ios }}" != "true" ]]; then
+            echo "skip=true" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "Skipping iOS — no relevant changes detected."
+          elif [[ "${{ matrix.platform }}" == "macos" && "${{ needs.detect-changes.outputs.needs_ios }}" != "true" ]]; then
+            echo "skip=true" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "Skipping macOS — no relevant changes detected."
+          elif [[ "${{ matrix.platform }}" == "android" && "${{ needs.detect-changes.outputs.needs_android }}" != "true" ]]; then
+            echo "skip=true" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "Skipping Android — no relevant changes detected."
+          else
+            echo "skip=false" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          fi
+
       - uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
 
       - name: Enable Corepack (NPM)
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'android' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'android' }}
         run: npm i -g corepack
 
       - name: Enable Corepack
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform != 'android' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform != 'android' }}
         run: corepack enable
 
       - uses: actions/setup-node@53b83947a5a98c8d113130e565377fae1a50d02f # v6
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         with:
           package-manager-cache: false
           node-version: 18
@@ -85,7 +118,7 @@ jobs:
           cache-dependency-path: yarn.lock
 
       - uses: ruby/setup-ruby@v1
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' || matrix.platform == 'macos' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && (matrix.platform == 'ios' || matrix.platform == 'macos') }}
         with:
           working-directory: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' && env.REACT_NATIVE_SAMPLE_PATH || 'samples/react-native-macos' }}
           ruby-version: '3.3.0' # based on what is used in the sample
@@ -93,25 +126,29 @@ jobs:
           cache-version: 1 # cache the installed gems
 
       - uses: actions/setup-java@v5
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         with:
           java-version: '17'
           distribution: 'adopt'
 
       - name: Gradle cache
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         uses: gradle/gradle-build-action@v3
 
       - name: Setup Global Xcode Tools
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' || matrix.platform == 'macos' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && (matrix.platform == 'ios' || matrix.platform == 'macos') }}
         run: which xcbeautify || brew install xcbeautify
 
       - name: Install SDK Dependencies
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         run: yarn install
 
       - name: Build SDK
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         run: yarn build
 
       - name: Install App Pods
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' || matrix.platform == 'macos' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && (matrix.platform == 'ios' || matrix.platform == 'macos') }}
         working-directory: samples
         run: |
           [[ "${{ matrix.platform }}" == "ios" ]] && cd react-native
@@ -124,7 +161,7 @@ jobs:
           ./scripts/pod-install.sh
 
       - name: Build Android App
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'android' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'android' }}
         working-directory: ${{ env.REACT_NATIVE_SAMPLE_PATH }}
         run: |
           export RN_ARCHITECTURE="${{ matrix.rn-architecture }}"
@@ -134,7 +171,7 @@ jobs:
           ./scripts/build-android.sh -PreactNativeArchitectures=x86
 
       - name: Build iOS App
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
         working-directory: ${{ env.REACT_NATIVE_SAMPLE_PATH }}
         env:
           # Fix for Xcode 26+ with MetalToolchain: use default Xcode toolchain to avoid
@@ -148,7 +185,7 @@ jobs:
           ./scripts/build-ios.sh
 
       - name: Build macOS App
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'macos' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'macos' }}
         working-directory: samples/react-native-macos/macos
         run: |
           [[ "${{ matrix.build-type }}" == "production" ]] && export CONFIG='Release' || export CONFIG='Debug'
@@ -167,7 +204,7 @@ jobs:
             | xcbeautify --quieter --is-ci --disable-colored-output
 
       - name: Archive iOS App
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' && matrix.rn-architecture == 'new' && matrix.build-type == 'production' && matrix.ios-use-frameworks == 'no-frameworks' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'ios' && matrix.rn-architecture == 'new' && matrix.build-type == 'production' && matrix.ios-use-frameworks == 'no-frameworks' }}
         working-directory: ${{ env.REACT_NATIVE_SAMPLE_PATH }}
         run: |
           zip -r \
@@ -175,7 +212,7 @@ jobs:
             sentryreactnativesample.app
 
       - name: Archive Android App
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'android' && matrix.rn-architecture == 'new' && matrix.build-type == 'production' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'android' && matrix.rn-architecture == 'new' && matrix.build-type == 'production' }}
         run: |
           zip -j \
             ${{ env.ANDROID_APP_ARCHIVE_PATH }} \
@@ -183,7 +220,7 @@ jobs:
             ${{ env.REACT_NATIVE_SAMPLE_PATH }}/app-androidTest.apk
 
       - name: Upload iOS APP
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' && matrix.rn-architecture == 'new' && matrix.build-type == 'production' && matrix.ios-use-frameworks == 'no-frameworks' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'ios' && matrix.rn-architecture == 'new' && matrix.build-type == 'production' && matrix.ios-use-frameworks == 'no-frameworks' }}
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v7
         with:
           name: sample-rn-${{ matrix.rn-architecture }}-${{ matrix.build-type }}-${{ matrix.ios-use-frameworks}}-${{ matrix.platform }}
@@ -191,7 +228,7 @@ jobs:
           retention-days: 1
 
       - name: Upload Android APK
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'android' && matrix.rn-architecture == 'new' && matrix.build-type == 'production' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'android' && matrix.rn-architecture == 'new' && matrix.build-type == 'production' }}
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v7
         with:
           name: sample-rn-${{ matrix.rn-architecture }}-${{ matrix.build-type }}-${{ matrix.platform }}
@@ -199,7 +236,7 @@ jobs:
           retention-days: 1
 
       - name: Upload logs
-        if: ${{ always() }}
+        if: ${{ always() && steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v7
         with:
           name: build-sample-${{ matrix.rn-architecture }}-${{ matrix.platform }}-${{ matrix.build-type }}-${{ matrix.ios-use-frameworks}}-logs
@@ -208,8 +245,8 @@ jobs:
   test:
     name: Test ${{ matrix.platform }} ${{ matrix.build-type }} REV2
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.runs-on }}
-    needs: [diff_check, build]
-    if: ${{ needs.diff_check.outputs.skip_ci != 'true' }}
+    needs: [diff_check, detect-changes, build]
+    if: ${{ needs.diff_check.outputs.skip_ci != 'true' && needs.detect-changes.outputs.needs_sample_react_native == 'true' }}
     strategy:
       # we want that the matrix keeps running, default is to cancel them if it fails.
       fail-fast: false
@@ -227,48 +264,69 @@ jobs:
             build-type: 'production'
 
     steps:
+      - name: Check if platform is needed
+        id: platform-check
+        run: |
+          SAMPLE_CHANGED="${{ needs.detect-changes.outputs.sample_react_native }}"
+
+          if [[ "$SAMPLE_CHANGED" == "true" ]]; then
+            echo "skip=false" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "Sample app changed — testing ${{ matrix.platform }}."
+          elif [[ "${{ matrix.platform }}" == "ios" && "${{ needs.detect-changes.outputs.needs_ios }}" != "true" ]]; then
+            echo "skip=true" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "Skipping iOS — no relevant changes detected."
+          elif [[ "${{ matrix.platform }}" == "android" && "${{ needs.detect-changes.outputs.needs_android }}" != "true" ]]; then
+            echo "skip=true" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "Skipping Android — no relevant changes detected."
+          else
+            echo "skip=false" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          fi
+
       - uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
 
       - name: Install Maestro
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         uses: dniHze/maestro-test-action@bda8a93211c86d0a05b7a4597c5ad134566fbde4 # pin@v1.0.0
         with:
           version: ${{env.MAESTRO_VERSION}}
 
       - name: Download iOS App Archive
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
         uses: actions/download-artifact@v8
         with:
           name: sample-rn-${{ matrix.rn-architecture }}-${{ matrix.build-type }}-${{ matrix.ios-use-frameworks}}-${{ matrix.platform }}
           path: ${{ env.REACT_NATIVE_SAMPLE_PATH }}
 
       - name: Download Android APK
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'android' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'android' }}
         uses: actions/download-artifact@v8
         with:
           name: sample-rn-${{ matrix.rn-architecture }}-${{ matrix.build-type }}-${{ matrix.platform }}
           path: ${{ env.REACT_NATIVE_SAMPLE_PATH }}
 
       - name: Unzip iOS App Archive
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
         working-directory: ${{ env.REACT_NATIVE_SAMPLE_PATH }}
         run: unzip ${{ env.IOS_APP_ARCHIVE_PATH }}
 
       - name: Unzip Android APK
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'android' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'android' }}
         working-directory: ${{ env.REACT_NATIVE_SAMPLE_PATH }}
         run: |
           unzip ${{ env.ANDROID_APP_ARCHIVE_PATH }}
           rm app-androidTest.apk
 
       - name: Enable Corepack (NPM)
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'android' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'android' }}
         run: npm i -g corepack
 
       - name: Enable Corepack
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform != 'android' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform != 'android' }}
         run: corepack enable
 
       - uses: actions/setup-node@53b83947a5a98c8d113130e565377fae1a50d02f # v6
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         with:
           package-manager-cache: false
           node-version: 18
@@ -276,13 +334,14 @@ jobs:
           cache-dependency-path: yarn.lock
 
       - name: Install JS Dependencies
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' }}
         run: yarn install
 
       - uses: ./.github/actions/disk-cleanup
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'android' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'android' }}
 
       - name: Setup KVM
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'android' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'android' }}
         shell: bash
         run: |
           # check if virtualization is supported...
@@ -295,18 +354,18 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Boot ${{ env.IOS_DEVICE }} with iOS ${{ env.IOS_VERSION }}
         uses: futureware-tech/simulator-action@e89aa8f93d3aec35083ff49d2854d07f7186f7f5 # pin@v5
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
         with:
           model: ${{ env.IOS_DEVICE }}
           os_version: ${{ env.IOS_VERSION }}
 
       - name: Run iOS Tests
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'ios' }}
         working-directory: ${{ env.REACT_NATIVE_SAMPLE_PATH }}
         run: yarn test-ios
 
       - name: Run Android Tests on API ${{ env.ANDROID_API_LEVEL }}
-        if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'android' }}
+        if: ${{ steps.platform-check.outputs.skip != 'true' && matrix.platform == 'android' }}
         uses: reactivecircus/android-emulator-runner@e89f39f1abbbd05b1113a29cf4db69e7540cae5a # pin@v2.37.0
         with:
           api-level: ${{ env.ANDROID_API_LEVEL }}