diff --git a/core/io/tcp_server.cpp b/core/io/tcp_server.cpp
index f2b3d5e56a7..d69d1f1b290 100644
--- a/core/io/tcp_server.cpp
+++ b/core/io/tcp_server.cpp
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ Ref<StreamPeerTCP> TCPServer::take_connection() {
 		return conn;
 	}
 
-	conn = Ref<StreamPeerTCP>(memnew(StreamPeerTCP));
+	conn.instantiate();
 	conn->accept_socket(ns, ip, port);
 	return conn;
 }
diff --git a/editor/editor_help_search.cpp b/editor/editor_help_search.cpp
index d11bf7720cf..b0c06475f81 100644
--- a/editor/editor_help_search.cpp
+++ b/editor/editor_help_search.cpp
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ void EditorHelpSearch::_update_results() {
 			search_flags |= SEARCH_SHOW_HIERARCHY;
 		}
 
-		search = Ref<Runner>(memnew(Runner(results_tree, results_tree, &tree_cache, term, search_flags)));
+		search.instantiate(results_tree, results_tree, &tree_cache, term, search_flags);
 
 		// Clear old search flags to force rebuild on short term.
 		old_search_flags = 0;
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ void EditorHelpSearch::_update_results() {
 		hierarchy_button->set_disabled(true);
 
 		// Always show hierarchy for short searches.
-		search = Ref<Runner>(memnew(Runner(results_tree, results_tree, &tree_cache, term, search_flags | SEARCH_SHOW_HIERARCHY)));
+		search.instantiate(results_tree, results_tree, &tree_cache, term, search_flags | SEARCH_SHOW_HIERARCHY);
 
 		old_search_flags = search_flags;
 		set_process(true);
diff --git a/editor/editor_node.cpp b/editor/editor_node.cpp
index 36b43b7e9b7..f8e23ecc9d8 100644
--- a/editor/editor_node.cpp
+++ b/editor/editor_node.cpp
@@ -2153,7 +2153,7 @@ void EditorNode::_dialog_action(String p_file) {
 			}
 
 			if (ml.is_null()) {
-				ml = Ref<MeshLibrary>(memnew(MeshLibrary));
+				ml.instantiate();
 			}
 
 			MeshLibraryEditor::update_library_file(editor_data.get_edited_scene_root(), ml, merge_with_existing_library, apply_mesh_instance_transforms);
diff --git a/editor/editor_settings.cpp b/editor/editor_settings.cpp
index eeb8ceb1ed6..9d29e8e0351 100644
--- a/editor/editor_settings.cpp
+++ b/editor/editor_settings.cpp
@@ -1229,7 +1229,7 @@ fail:
 		extra_config->set_value("init_projects", "list", list);
 	}
 
-	singleton = Ref<EditorSettings>(memnew(EditorSettings));
+	singleton.instantiate();
 	singleton->set_path(config_file_path, true);
 	singleton->save_changed_setting = true;
 	singleton->_load_defaults(extra_config);
diff --git a/editor/export/codesign.cpp b/editor/export/codesign.cpp
index 72d496b04d1..cc53068d481 100644
--- a/editor/export/codesign.cpp
+++ b/editor/export/codesign.cpp
@@ -1381,14 +1381,14 @@ Error CodeSign::_codesign_file(bool p_use_hardened_runtime, bool p_force, const
 			r_error_msg = TTR("Invalid entitlements file.");
 			ERR_FAIL_V_MSG(FAILED, "CodeSign: Invalid entitlements file.");
 		}
-		cet = Ref<CodeSignEntitlementsText>(memnew(CodeSignEntitlementsText(entitlements)));
-		ceb = Ref<CodeSignEntitlementsBinary>(memnew(CodeSignEntitlementsBinary(entitlements)));
+		cet.instantiate(entitlements);
+		ceb.instantiate(entitlements);
 	}
 
 	print_verbose("CodeSign: Generating requirements...");
 	Ref<CodeSignRequirements> rq;
 	String team_id = "";
-	rq = Ref<CodeSignRequirements>(memnew(CodeSignRequirements()));
+	rq.instantiate();
 
 	// Sign executables.
 	for (int i = 0; i < files_to_sign.size(); i++) {
@@ -1487,7 +1487,7 @@ Error CodeSign::_codesign_file(bool p_use_hardened_runtime, bool p_force, const
 
 		print_verbose("CodeSign: Generating signature...");
 		Ref<CodeSignSignature> cs;
-		cs = Ref<CodeSignSignature>(memnew(CodeSignSignature()));
+		cs.instantiate();
 
 		print_verbose("CodeSign: Writing signature superblob...");
 		// Write signature data to the executable.
diff --git a/editor/import/3d/editor_import_collada.cpp b/editor/import/3d/editor_import_collada.cpp
index 04a3f231545..c04278fc55c 100644
--- a/editor/import/3d/editor_import_collada.cpp
+++ b/editor/import/3d/editor_import_collada.cpp
@@ -1263,7 +1263,7 @@ Error ColladaImport::_create_resources(Collada::Node *p_node, bool p_use_compres
 					//bleh, must ignore invalid
 
 					ERR_FAIL_COND_V(!collada.state.mesh_data_map.has(meshid), ERR_INVALID_DATA);
-					mesh = Ref<ImporterMesh>(memnew(ImporterMesh));
+					mesh.instantiate();
 					const Collada::MeshData &meshdata = collada.state.mesh_data_map[meshid];
 					String name = meshdata.name;
 					if (name.is_empty()) {
diff --git a/editor/import/3d/resource_importer_scene.cpp b/editor/import/3d/resource_importer_scene.cpp
index edf7aa66f00..50082e45bf6 100644
--- a/editor/import/3d/resource_importer_scene.cpp
+++ b/editor/import/3d/resource_importer_scene.cpp
@@ -3092,7 +3092,7 @@ Error ResourceImporterScene::import(const String &p_source_file, const String &p
 		if (!scr.is_valid()) {
 			EditorNode::add_io_error(TTR("Couldn't load post-import script:") + " " + post_import_script_path);
 		} else {
-			post_import_script = Ref<EditorScenePostImport>(memnew(EditorScenePostImport));
+			post_import_script.instantiate();
 			post_import_script->set_script(scr);
 			if (!post_import_script->get_script_instance()) {
 				EditorNode::add_io_error(TTR("Invalid/broken script for post-import (check console):") + " " + post_import_script_path);
diff --git a/editor/plugins/animation_blend_tree_editor_plugin.cpp b/editor/plugins/animation_blend_tree_editor_plugin.cpp
index 34c0040cb7f..eef890d0138 100644
--- a/editor/plugins/animation_blend_tree_editor_plugin.cpp
+++ b/editor/plugins/animation_blend_tree_editor_plugin.cpp
@@ -1265,7 +1265,7 @@ AnimationNodeBlendTreeEditor::AnimationNodeBlendTreeEditor() {
 	open_file->set_file_mode(EditorFileDialog::FILE_MODE_OPEN_FILE);
 	open_file->connect("file_selected", callable_mp(this, &AnimationNodeBlendTreeEditor::_file_opened));
 
-	animation_node_inspector_plugin = Ref<EditorInspectorPluginAnimationNodeAnimation>(memnew(EditorInspectorPluginAnimationNodeAnimation));
+	animation_node_inspector_plugin.instantiate();
 	EditorInspector::add_inspector_plugin(animation_node_inspector_plugin);
 }
 
diff --git a/editor/plugins/canvas_item_editor_plugin.cpp b/editor/plugins/canvas_item_editor_plugin.cpp
index e3cf3dbbf21..62793fbcb59 100644
--- a/editor/plugins/canvas_item_editor_plugin.cpp
+++ b/editor/plugins/canvas_item_editor_plugin.cpp
@@ -5620,7 +5620,7 @@ CanvasItemEditor::CanvasItemEditor() {
 	snap_dialog->connect(SceneStringName(confirmed), callable_mp(this, &CanvasItemEditor::_snap_changed));
 	add_child(snap_dialog);
 
-	select_sb = Ref<StyleBoxTexture>(memnew(StyleBoxTexture));
+	select_sb.instantiate();
 
 	selection_menu = memnew(PopupMenu);
 	add_child(selection_menu);
diff --git a/editor/plugins/gizmos/marker_3d_gizmo_plugin.cpp b/editor/plugins/gizmos/marker_3d_gizmo_plugin.cpp
index 39ae020d53a..5a6527f876a 100644
--- a/editor/plugins/gizmos/marker_3d_gizmo_plugin.cpp
+++ b/editor/plugins/gizmos/marker_3d_gizmo_plugin.cpp
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@
 #include "scene/3d/marker_3d.h"
 
 Marker3DGizmoPlugin::Marker3DGizmoPlugin() {
-	pos3d_mesh = Ref<ArrayMesh>(memnew(ArrayMesh));
+	pos3d_mesh.instantiate();
 
 	Vector<Vector3> cursor_points;
 	Vector<Color> cursor_colors;
diff --git a/editor/plugins/light_occluder_2d_editor_plugin.cpp b/editor/plugins/light_occluder_2d_editor_plugin.cpp
index 429add45400..e3b59f9bfbc 100644
--- a/editor/plugins/light_occluder_2d_editor_plugin.cpp
+++ b/editor/plugins/light_occluder_2d_editor_plugin.cpp
@@ -35,8 +35,8 @@
 
 Ref<OccluderPolygon2D> LightOccluder2DEditor::_ensure_occluder() const {
 	Ref<OccluderPolygon2D> occluder = node->get_occluder_polygon();
-	if (!occluder.is_valid()) {
-		occluder = Ref<OccluderPolygon2D>(memnew(OccluderPolygon2D));
+	if (occluder.is_null()) {
+		occluder.instantiate();
 		node->set_occluder_polygon(occluder);
 	}
 	return occluder;
diff --git a/editor/plugins/navigation_obstacle_3d_editor_plugin.cpp b/editor/plugins/navigation_obstacle_3d_editor_plugin.cpp
index 2eaab0fcbde..8b938d6f605 100644
--- a/editor/plugins/navigation_obstacle_3d_editor_plugin.cpp
+++ b/editor/plugins/navigation_obstacle_3d_editor_plugin.cpp
@@ -542,7 +542,7 @@ NavigationObstacle3DEditor::NavigationObstacle3DEditor() {
 	point_lines_meshinstance->set_mesh(point_lines_mesh);
 	point_lines_meshinstance->set_transform(Transform3D(Basis(), Vector3(0, 0, 0.00001)));
 
-	line_material = Ref<StandardMaterial3D>(memnew(StandardMaterial3D));
+	line_material.instantiate();
 	line_material->set_shading_mode(StandardMaterial3D::SHADING_MODE_UNSHADED);
 	line_material->set_transparency(StandardMaterial3D::TRANSPARENCY_ALPHA);
 	line_material->set_flag(StandardMaterial3D::FLAG_ALBEDO_FROM_VERTEX_COLOR, true);
@@ -550,7 +550,7 @@ NavigationObstacle3DEditor::NavigationObstacle3DEditor() {
 	line_material->set_flag(StandardMaterial3D::FLAG_DISABLE_FOG, true);
 	line_material->set_albedo(Color(1, 1, 1));
 
-	handle_material = Ref<StandardMaterial3D>(memnew(StandardMaterial3D));
+	handle_material.instantiate();
 	handle_material->set_shading_mode(StandardMaterial3D::SHADING_MODE_UNSHADED);
 	handle_material->set_flag(StandardMaterial3D::FLAG_USE_POINT_SIZE, true);
 	handle_material->set_transparency(StandardMaterial3D::TRANSPARENCY_ALPHA);
diff --git a/editor/plugins/navigation_polygon_editor_plugin.cpp b/editor/plugins/navigation_polygon_editor_plugin.cpp
index 3c710404088..c11a7cf20e2 100644
--- a/editor/plugins/navigation_polygon_editor_plugin.cpp
+++ b/editor/plugins/navigation_polygon_editor_plugin.cpp
@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@
 
 Ref<NavigationPolygon> NavigationPolygonEditor::_ensure_navpoly() const {
 	Ref<NavigationPolygon> navpoly = node->get_navigation_polygon();
-	if (!navpoly.is_valid()) {
-		navpoly = Ref<NavigationPolygon>(memnew(NavigationPolygon));
+	if (navpoly.is_null()) {
+		navpoly.instantiate();
 		node->set_navigation_polygon(navpoly);
 	}
 	return navpoly;
diff --git a/editor/plugins/node_3d_editor_plugin.cpp b/editor/plugins/node_3d_editor_plugin.cpp
index 5afe01025d3..810d1674ca1 100644
--- a/editor/plugins/node_3d_editor_plugin.cpp
+++ b/editor/plugins/node_3d_editor_plugin.cpp
@@ -7050,12 +7050,12 @@ void fragment() {
 
 			col.a = EDITOR_GET("editors/3d/manipulator_gizmo_opacity");
 
-			move_gizmo[i] = Ref<ArrayMesh>(memnew(ArrayMesh));
-			move_plane_gizmo[i] = Ref<ArrayMesh>(memnew(ArrayMesh));
-			rotate_gizmo[i] = Ref<ArrayMesh>(memnew(ArrayMesh));
-			scale_gizmo[i] = Ref<ArrayMesh>(memnew(ArrayMesh));
-			scale_plane_gizmo[i] = Ref<ArrayMesh>(memnew(ArrayMesh));
-			axis_gizmo[i] = Ref<ArrayMesh>(memnew(ArrayMesh));
+			move_gizmo[i].instantiate();
+			move_plane_gizmo[i].instantiate();
+			rotate_gizmo[i].instantiate();
+			scale_gizmo[i].instantiate();
+			scale_plane_gizmo[i].instantiate();
+			axis_gizmo[i].instantiate();
 
 			Ref<StandardMaterial3D> mat = memnew(StandardMaterial3D);
 			mat->set_shading_mode(StandardMaterial3D::SHADING_MODE_UNSHADED);
@@ -7286,7 +7286,7 @@ void fragment() {
 					border_mat->set_shader(border_shader);
 					border_mat->set_shader_parameter("albedo", Color(0.75, 0.75, 0.75, col.a / 3.0));
 
-					rotate_gizmo[3] = Ref<ArrayMesh>(memnew(ArrayMesh));
+					rotate_gizmo[3].instantiate();
 					rotate_gizmo[3]->add_surface_from_arrays(Mesh::PRIMITIVE_TRIANGLES, arrays);
 					rotate_gizmo[3]->surface_set_material(0, border_mat);
 				}
@@ -8639,7 +8639,7 @@ Node3DEditor::Node3DEditor() {
 	gizmo.visible = true;
 	gizmo.scale = 1.0;
 
-	viewport_environment = Ref<Environment>(memnew(Environment));
+	viewport_environment.instantiate();
 	VBoxContainer *vbc = this;
 
 	custom_camera = nullptr;
diff --git a/editor/plugins/path_3d_editor_plugin.cpp b/editor/plugins/path_3d_editor_plugin.cpp
index 91cff9f8e2e..3a4b3a0ea23 100644
--- a/editor/plugins/path_3d_editor_plugin.cpp
+++ b/editor/plugins/path_3d_editor_plugin.cpp
@@ -922,7 +922,7 @@ Ref<EditorNode3DGizmo> Path3DGizmoPlugin::create_gizmo(Node3D *p_spatial) {
 
 	Path3D *path = Object::cast_to<Path3D>(p_spatial);
 	if (path) {
-		ref = Ref<Path3DGizmo>(memnew(Path3DGizmo(path, disk_size)));
+		ref.instantiate(path, disk_size);
 	}
 
 	return ref;
diff --git a/editor/plugins/polygon_3d_editor_plugin.cpp b/editor/plugins/polygon_3d_editor_plugin.cpp
index 9bb2d815496..017504f0d61 100644
--- a/editor/plugins/polygon_3d_editor_plugin.cpp
+++ b/editor/plugins/polygon_3d_editor_plugin.cpp
@@ -554,7 +554,7 @@ Polygon3DEditor::Polygon3DEditor() {
 	imgeom->set_mesh(imesh);
 	imgeom->set_transform(Transform3D(Basis(), Vector3(0, 0, 0.00001)));
 
-	line_material = Ref<StandardMaterial3D>(memnew(StandardMaterial3D));
+	line_material.instantiate();
 	line_material->set_shading_mode(StandardMaterial3D::SHADING_MODE_UNSHADED);
 	line_material->set_transparency(StandardMaterial3D::TRANSPARENCY_ALPHA);
 	line_material->set_flag(StandardMaterial3D::FLAG_ALBEDO_FROM_VERTEX_COLOR, true);
@@ -562,7 +562,7 @@ Polygon3DEditor::Polygon3DEditor() {
 	line_material->set_flag(StandardMaterial3D::FLAG_DISABLE_FOG, true);
 	line_material->set_albedo(Color(1, 1, 1));
 
-	handle_material = Ref<StandardMaterial3D>(memnew(StandardMaterial3D));
+	handle_material.instantiate();
 	handle_material->set_shading_mode(StandardMaterial3D::SHADING_MODE_UNSHADED);
 	handle_material->set_flag(StandardMaterial3D::FLAG_USE_POINT_SIZE, true);
 	handle_material->set_transparency(StandardMaterial3D::TRANSPARENCY_ALPHA);
diff --git a/editor/plugins/skeleton_3d_editor_plugin.cpp b/editor/plugins/skeleton_3d_editor_plugin.cpp
index 19fbd2dd3b6..369a1fc8643 100644
--- a/editor/plugins/skeleton_3d_editor_plugin.cpp
+++ b/editor/plugins/skeleton_3d_editor_plugin.cpp
@@ -1186,8 +1186,8 @@ Skeleton3DEditor::Skeleton3DEditor(EditorInspectorPluginSkeleton *e_plugin, Skel
 	singleton = this;
 
 	// Handle.
-	handle_material = Ref<ShaderMaterial>(memnew(ShaderMaterial));
-	handle_shader = Ref<Shader>(memnew(Shader));
+	handle_material.instantiate();
+	handle_shader.instantiate();
 	handle_shader->set_code(R"(
 // Skeleton 3D gizmo handle shader.
 
diff --git a/modules/enet/enet_connection.cpp b/modules/enet/enet_connection.cpp
index 2ccfd5d3263..9c9302a51cb 100644
--- a/modules/enet/enet_connection.cpp
+++ b/modules/enet/enet_connection.cpp
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ Ref<ENetPacketPeer> ENetConnection::connect_to_host(const String &p_address, int
 	if (peer == nullptr) {
 		return nullptr;
 	}
-	out = Ref<ENetPacketPeer>(memnew(ENetPacketPeer(peer)));
+	out.instantiate(peer);
 	peers.push_back(out);
 	return out;
 }
diff --git a/modules/gltf/gltf_document.cpp b/modules/gltf/gltf_document.cpp
index aa482615da0..2b815b7de94 100644
--- a/modules/gltf/gltf_document.cpp
+++ b/modules/gltf/gltf_document.cpp
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ static Ref<ImporterMesh> _mesh_to_importer_mesh(Ref<Mesh> p_mesh) {
 			mat_name = mat->get_name();
 		} else {
 			// Assign default material when no material is assigned.
-			mat = Ref<StandardMaterial3D>(memnew(StandardMaterial3D));
+			mat.instantiate();
 		}
 		importer_mesh->add_surface(p_mesh->surface_get_primitive_type(surface_i),
 				array, p_mesh->surface_get_blend_shape_arrays(surface_i), p_mesh->surface_get_lods(surface_i), mat,
@@ -5913,7 +5913,7 @@ void GLTFDocument::_convert_csg_shape_to_gltf(CSGShape3D *p_current, GLTFNodeInd
 				mat_name = mat->get_name();
 			} else {
 				// Assign default material when no material is assigned.
-				mat = Ref<StandardMaterial3D>(memnew(StandardMaterial3D));
+				mat.instantiate();
 			}
 
 			mesh->add_surface(csg_mesh->surface_get_primitive_type(surface_i),
diff --git a/modules/gridmap/grid_map.cpp b/modules/gridmap/grid_map.cpp
index 71171be3f14..0588ba034a5 100644
--- a/modules/gridmap/grid_map.cpp
+++ b/modules/gridmap/grid_map.cpp
@@ -801,8 +801,8 @@ void GridMap::_octant_enter_world(const OctantKey &p_key) {
 			if (!g.navigation_debug_edge_connections_instance.is_valid()) {
 				g.navigation_debug_edge_connections_instance = RenderingServer::get_singleton()->instance_create();
 			}
-			if (!g.navigation_debug_edge_connections_mesh.is_valid()) {
-				g.navigation_debug_edge_connections_mesh = Ref<ArrayMesh>(memnew(ArrayMesh));
+			if (g.navigation_debug_edge_connections_mesh.is_null()) {
+				g.navigation_debug_edge_connections_mesh.instantiate();
 			}
 
 			_update_octant_navigation_debug_edge_connections_mesh(p_key);
@@ -1386,8 +1386,8 @@ void GridMap::_update_octant_navigation_debug_edge_connections_mesh(const Octant
 		g.navigation_debug_edge_connections_instance = RenderingServer::get_singleton()->instance_create();
 	}
 
-	if (!g.navigation_debug_edge_connections_mesh.is_valid()) {
-		g.navigation_debug_edge_connections_mesh = Ref<ArrayMesh>(memnew(ArrayMesh));
+	if (g.navigation_debug_edge_connections_mesh.is_null()) {
+		g.navigation_debug_edge_connections_mesh.instantiate();
 	}
 
 	g.navigation_debug_edge_connections_mesh->clear_surfaces();
diff --git a/modules/mono/csharp_script.cpp b/modules/mono/csharp_script.cpp
index 6ae9ce56c67..380b401683c 100644
--- a/modules/mono/csharp_script.cpp
+++ b/modules/mono/csharp_script.cpp
@@ -2826,7 +2826,7 @@ Ref<Resource> ResourceFormatLoaderCSharpScript::load(const String &p_path, const
 		GDMonoCache::managed_callbacks.ScriptManagerBridge_GetOrCreateScriptBridgeForPath(&p_path, &scr);
 		ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(scr.is_null(), Ref<Resource>(), "Could not create C# script '" + real_path + "'.");
 	} else {
-		scr = Ref<CSharpScript>(memnew(CSharpScript));
+		scr.instantiate();
 	}
 
 #if defined(DEBUG_ENABLED) || defined(TOOLS_ENABLED)
diff --git a/modules/multiplayer/scene_multiplayer.cpp b/modules/multiplayer/scene_multiplayer.cpp
index e245101eebd..dde14034e65 100644
--- a/modules/multiplayer/scene_multiplayer.cpp
+++ b/modules/multiplayer/scene_multiplayer.cpp
@@ -684,9 +684,9 @@ void SceneMultiplayer::_bind_methods() {
 
 SceneMultiplayer::SceneMultiplayer() {
 	relay_buffer.instantiate();
-	cache = Ref<SceneCacheInterface>(memnew(SceneCacheInterface(this)));
-	replicator = Ref<SceneReplicationInterface>(memnew(SceneReplicationInterface(this, cache.ptr())));
-	rpc = Ref<SceneRPCInterface>(memnew(SceneRPCInterface(this, cache.ptr(), replicator.ptr())));
+	cache.instantiate(this);
+	replicator.instantiate(this, cache.ptr());
+	rpc.instantiate(this, cache.ptr(), replicator.ptr());
 	set_multiplayer_peer(Ref<OfflineMultiplayerPeer>(memnew(OfflineMultiplayerPeer)));
 }
 
diff --git a/modules/openxr/extensions/openxr_composition_layer_extension.cpp b/modules/openxr/extensions/openxr_composition_layer_extension.cpp
index 2d29b8a82c4..1e3490d1ed9 100644
--- a/modules/openxr/extensions/openxr_composition_layer_extension.cpp
+++ b/modules/openxr/extensions/openxr_composition_layer_extension.cpp
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ void OpenXRViewportCompositionLayerProvider::create_android_surface() {
 	composition_layer_extension->create_android_surface_swapchain(&info, &android_surface.swapchain, &surface);
 
 	if (surface) {
-		android_surface.surface = Ref<JavaObject>(memnew(JavaObject(JavaClassWrapper::get_singleton()->wrap("android.view.Surface"), surface)));
+		android_surface.surface.instantiate(JavaClassWrapper::get_singleton()->wrap("android.view.Surface"), surface);
 	}
 }
 #endif
diff --git a/modules/theora/video_stream_theora.cpp b/modules/theora/video_stream_theora.cpp
index 8b2c58acd53..372885b0b47 100644
--- a/modules/theora/video_stream_theora.cpp
+++ b/modules/theora/video_stream_theora.cpp
@@ -629,7 +629,7 @@ void VideoStreamPlaybackTheora::_streaming_thread(void *ud) {
 #endif
 
 VideoStreamPlaybackTheora::VideoStreamPlaybackTheora() {
-	texture = Ref<ImageTexture>(memnew(ImageTexture));
+	texture.instantiate();
 
 #ifdef THEORA_USE_THREAD_STREAMING
 	int rb_power = nearest_shift(RB_SIZE_KB * 1024);
diff --git a/platform/ios/export/export_plugin.cpp b/platform/ios/export/export_plugin.cpp
index d6cd2e0f3c3..3c5a930bab0 100644
--- a/platform/ios/export/export_plugin.cpp
+++ b/platform/ios/export/export_plugin.cpp
@@ -1082,7 +1082,7 @@ Error EditorExportPlatformIOS::_export_loading_screen_file(const Ref<EditorExpor
 		}
 
 		if (splash.is_null()) {
-			splash = Ref<Image>(memnew(Image(boot_splash_png)));
+			splash.instantiate(boot_splash_png);
 		}
 
 		// Using same image for both @2x and @3x
diff --git a/scene/2d/touch_screen_button.cpp b/scene/2d/touch_screen_button.cpp
index b968f39ccbb..220608a250d 100644
--- a/scene/2d/touch_screen_button.cpp
+++ b/scene/2d/touch_screen_button.cpp
@@ -430,6 +430,6 @@ void TouchScreenButton::_bind_methods() {
 }
 
 TouchScreenButton::TouchScreenButton() {
-	unit_rect = Ref<RectangleShape2D>(memnew(RectangleShape2D));
+	unit_rect.instantiate();
 	unit_rect->set_size(Vector2(1, 1));
 }
diff --git a/scene/3d/label_3d.cpp b/scene/3d/label_3d.cpp
index 6b3510a72a1..01f15137bec 100644
--- a/scene/3d/label_3d.cpp
+++ b/scene/3d/label_3d.cpp
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@ Ref<TriangleMesh> Label3D::generate_triangle_mesh() const {
 		facesw[j] = vtx;
 	}
 
-	triangle_mesh = Ref<TriangleMesh>(memnew(TriangleMesh));
+	triangle_mesh.instantiate();
 	triangle_mesh->create(faces);
 
 	return triangle_mesh;
diff --git a/scene/3d/navigation_agent_3d.cpp b/scene/3d/navigation_agent_3d.cpp
index 9242c2a2ea3..faf138896a5 100644
--- a/scene/3d/navigation_agent_3d.cpp
+++ b/scene/3d/navigation_agent_3d.cpp
@@ -1081,8 +1081,8 @@ void NavigationAgent3D::_update_debug_path() {
 		debug_path_instance = RenderingServer::get_singleton()->instance_create();
 	}
 
-	if (!debug_path_mesh.is_valid()) {
-		debug_path_mesh = Ref<ArrayMesh>(memnew(ArrayMesh));
+	if (debug_path_mesh.is_null()) {
+		debug_path_mesh.instantiate();
 	}
 
 	debug_path_mesh->clear_surfaces();
diff --git a/scene/3d/navigation_link_3d.cpp b/scene/3d/navigation_link_3d.cpp
index 0cce21b9d0f..9e29384fc9b 100644
--- a/scene/3d/navigation_link_3d.cpp
+++ b/scene/3d/navigation_link_3d.cpp
@@ -56,8 +56,8 @@ void NavigationLink3D::_update_debug_mesh() {
 		debug_instance = RenderingServer::get_singleton()->instance_create();
 	}
 
-	if (!debug_mesh.is_valid()) {
-		debug_mesh = Ref<ArrayMesh>(memnew(ArrayMesh));
+	if (debug_mesh.is_null()) {
+		debug_mesh.instantiate();
 	}
 
 	RID nav_map = get_world_3d()->get_navigation_map();
diff --git a/scene/3d/navigation_obstacle_3d.cpp b/scene/3d/navigation_obstacle_3d.cpp
index 2eb04a0054e..72a7253a100 100644
--- a/scene/3d/navigation_obstacle_3d.cpp
+++ b/scene/3d/navigation_obstacle_3d.cpp
@@ -389,8 +389,8 @@ void NavigationObstacle3D::_update_fake_agent_radius_debug() {
 	if (!fake_agent_radius_debug_instance.is_valid()) {
 		fake_agent_radius_debug_instance = RenderingServer::get_singleton()->instance_create();
 	}
-	if (!fake_agent_radius_debug_mesh.is_valid()) {
-		fake_agent_radius_debug_mesh = Ref<ArrayMesh>(memnew(ArrayMesh));
+	if (fake_agent_radius_debug_mesh.is_null()) {
+		fake_agent_radius_debug_mesh.instantiate();
 	}
 	fake_agent_radius_debug_mesh->clear_surfaces();
 
@@ -487,8 +487,8 @@ void NavigationObstacle3D::_update_static_obstacle_debug() {
 	if (!static_obstacle_debug_instance.is_valid()) {
 		static_obstacle_debug_instance = RenderingServer::get_singleton()->instance_create();
 	}
-	if (!static_obstacle_debug_mesh.is_valid()) {
-		static_obstacle_debug_mesh = Ref<ArrayMesh>(memnew(ArrayMesh));
+	if (static_obstacle_debug_mesh.is_null()) {
+		static_obstacle_debug_mesh.instantiate();
 	}
 	static_obstacle_debug_mesh->clear_surfaces();
 
diff --git a/scene/3d/navigation_region_3d.cpp b/scene/3d/navigation_region_3d.cpp
index c0c254e7ed5..2d67e4334e6 100644
--- a/scene/3d/navigation_region_3d.cpp
+++ b/scene/3d/navigation_region_3d.cpp
@@ -492,8 +492,8 @@ void NavigationRegion3D::_update_debug_mesh() {
 		debug_instance = RenderingServer::get_singleton()->instance_create();
 	}
 
-	if (!debug_mesh.is_valid()) {
-		debug_mesh = Ref<ArrayMesh>(memnew(ArrayMesh));
+	if (debug_mesh.is_null()) {
+		debug_mesh.instantiate();
 	}
 
 	debug_mesh->clear_surfaces();
@@ -669,8 +669,8 @@ void NavigationRegion3D::_update_debug_edge_connections_mesh() {
 		debug_edge_connections_instance = RenderingServer::get_singleton()->instance_create();
 	}
 
-	if (!debug_edge_connections_mesh.is_valid()) {
-		debug_edge_connections_mesh = Ref<ArrayMesh>(memnew(ArrayMesh));
+	if (debug_edge_connections_mesh.is_null()) {
+		debug_edge_connections_mesh.instantiate();
 	}
 
 	debug_edge_connections_mesh->clear_surfaces();
diff --git a/scene/3d/path_3d.cpp b/scene/3d/path_3d.cpp
index 64259a24b00..00c83101b92 100644
--- a/scene/3d/path_3d.cpp
+++ b/scene/3d/path_3d.cpp
@@ -88,8 +88,8 @@ void Path3D::_update_debug_mesh() {
 		return;
 	}
 
-	if (!debug_mesh.is_valid()) {
-		debug_mesh = Ref<ArrayMesh>(memnew(ArrayMesh));
+	if (debug_mesh.is_null()) {
+		debug_mesh.instantiate();
 	}
 
 	if (!(curve.is_valid())) {
diff --git a/scene/3d/physics/ray_cast_3d.cpp b/scene/3d/physics/ray_cast_3d.cpp
index a9272388c10..b9159f072b2 100644
--- a/scene/3d/physics/ray_cast_3d.cpp
+++ b/scene/3d/physics/ray_cast_3d.cpp
@@ -464,7 +464,7 @@ void RayCast3D::_create_debug_shape() {
 	}
 
 	if (debug_mesh.is_null()) {
-		debug_mesh = Ref<ArrayMesh>(memnew(ArrayMesh));
+		debug_mesh.instantiate();
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/scene/3d/physics/shape_cast_3d.cpp b/scene/3d/physics/shape_cast_3d.cpp
index 8ad651fdf56..19c74bc9254 100644
--- a/scene/3d/physics/shape_cast_3d.cpp
+++ b/scene/3d/physics/shape_cast_3d.cpp
@@ -546,7 +546,7 @@ void ShapeCast3D::_create_debug_shape() {
 	}
 
 	if (debug_mesh.is_null()) {
-		debug_mesh = Ref<ArrayMesh>(memnew(ArrayMesh));
+		debug_mesh.instantiate();
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/scene/3d/sprite_3d.cpp b/scene/3d/sprite_3d.cpp
index 42460eec4cf..6e3ada83add 100644
--- a/scene/3d/sprite_3d.cpp
+++ b/scene/3d/sprite_3d.cpp
@@ -470,7 +470,7 @@ Ref<TriangleMesh> SpriteBase3D::generate_triangle_mesh() const {
 		facesw[j] = vtx;
 	}
 
-	triangle_mesh = Ref<TriangleMesh>(memnew(TriangleMesh));
+	triangle_mesh.instantiate();
 	triangle_mesh->create(faces);
 
 	return triangle_mesh;
diff --git a/scene/gui/graph_edit.cpp b/scene/gui/graph_edit.cpp
index b1c47d858d1..7e07f4a2023 100644
--- a/scene/gui/graph_edit.cpp
+++ b/scene/gui/graph_edit.cpp
@@ -3001,5 +3001,5 @@ GraphEdit::GraphEdit() {
 
 	set_clip_contents(true);
 
-	arranger = Ref<GraphEditArranger>(memnew(GraphEditArranger(this)));
+	arranger.instantiate(this);
 }
diff --git a/scene/main/scene_tree.cpp b/scene/main/scene_tree.cpp
index 60cecfcfe70..16b41c8f9b7 100644
--- a/scene/main/scene_tree.cpp
+++ b/scene/main/scene_tree.cpp
@@ -899,7 +899,7 @@ Ref<ArrayMesh> SceneTree::get_debug_contact_mesh() {
 		return debug_contact_mesh;
 	}
 
-	debug_contact_mesh = Ref<ArrayMesh>(memnew(ArrayMesh));
+	debug_contact_mesh.instantiate();
 
 	Ref<StandardMaterial3D> mat = Ref<StandardMaterial3D>(memnew(StandardMaterial3D));
 	mat->set_shading_mode(StandardMaterial3D::SHADING_MODE_UNSHADED);
diff --git a/scene/main/viewport.cpp b/scene/main/viewport.cpp
index 5a90eb8f3e3..1ee99099ec8 100644
--- a/scene/main/viewport.cpp
+++ b/scene/main/viewport.cpp
@@ -1213,7 +1213,7 @@ void Viewport::set_world_2d(const Ref<World2D> &p_world_2d) {
 		}
 	} else {
 		WARN_PRINT("Invalid world_2d");
-		world_2d = Ref<World2D>(memnew(World2D));
+		world_2d.instantiate();
 	}
 
 	world_2d->register_viewport(this);
@@ -4386,7 +4386,7 @@ void Viewport::set_world_3d(const Ref<World3D> &p_world_3d) {
 			own_world_3d = world_3d->duplicate();
 			world_3d->connect_changed(callable_mp(this, &Viewport::_own_world_3d_changed));
 		} else {
-			own_world_3d = Ref<World3D>(memnew(World3D));
+			own_world_3d.instantiate();
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -4437,7 +4437,7 @@ void Viewport::set_use_own_world_3d(bool p_use_own_world_3d) {
 			own_world_3d = world_3d->duplicate();
 			world_3d->connect_changed(callable_mp(this, &Viewport::_own_world_3d_changed));
 		} else {
-			own_world_3d = Ref<World3D>(memnew(World3D));
+			own_world_3d.instantiate();
 		}
 	} else {
 		own_world_3d = Ref<World3D>();
@@ -4963,7 +4963,7 @@ void Viewport::_validate_property(PropertyInfo &p_property) const {
 }
 
 Viewport::Viewport() {
-	world_2d = Ref<World2D>(memnew(World2D));
+	world_2d.instantiate();
 	world_2d->register_viewport(this);
 
 	viewport = RenderingServer::get_singleton()->viewport_create();
diff --git a/scene/resources/3d/shape_3d.cpp b/scene/resources/3d/shape_3d.cpp
index 5a79392ba52..259d82b7a01 100644
--- a/scene/resources/3d/shape_3d.cpp
+++ b/scene/resources/3d/shape_3d.cpp
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ Ref<ArrayMesh> Shape3D::get_debug_mesh() {
 
 	Vector<Vector3> lines = get_debug_mesh_lines();
 
-	debug_mesh_cache = Ref<ArrayMesh>(memnew(ArrayMesh));
+	debug_mesh_cache.instantiate();
 
 	if (!lines.is_empty()) {
 		//make mesh
diff --git a/scene/resources/mesh.cpp b/scene/resources/mesh.cpp
index 848ae2713d0..b0353b4f2c7 100644
--- a/scene/resources/mesh.cpp
+++ b/scene/resources/mesh.cpp
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ Ref<TriangleMesh> Mesh::generate_triangle_mesh() const {
 		}
 	}
 
-	triangle_mesh = Ref<TriangleMesh>(memnew(TriangleMesh));
+	triangle_mesh.instantiate();
 	triangle_mesh->create(faces);
 
 	return triangle_mesh;
diff --git a/scene/resources/navigation_mesh.cpp b/scene/resources/navigation_mesh.cpp
index 67ed65df0da..034d4d69966 100644
--- a/scene/resources/navigation_mesh.cpp
+++ b/scene/resources/navigation_mesh.cpp
@@ -392,8 +392,8 @@ Ref<ArrayMesh> NavigationMesh::get_debug_mesh() {
 		return debug_mesh;
 	}
 
-	if (!debug_mesh.is_valid()) {
-		debug_mesh = Ref<ArrayMesh>(memnew(ArrayMesh));
+	if (debug_mesh.is_null()) {
+		debug_mesh.instantiate();
 	} else {
 		debug_mesh->clear_surfaces();
 	}
diff --git a/scene/resources/packed_scene.cpp b/scene/resources/packed_scene.cpp
index bb3aad0f28d..809a77a4872 100644
--- a/scene/resources/packed_scene.cpp
+++ b/scene/resources/packed_scene.cpp
@@ -2195,7 +2195,7 @@ void PackedScene::replace_state(Ref<SceneState> p_by) {
 }
 
 void PackedScene::recreate_state() {
-	state = Ref<SceneState>(memnew(SceneState));
+	state.instantiate();
 	state->set_path(get_path());
 #ifdef TOOLS_ENABLED
 	state->set_last_modified_time(get_last_modified_time());
@@ -2286,5 +2286,5 @@ void PackedScene::_bind_methods() {
 }
 
 PackedScene::PackedScene() {
-	state = Ref<SceneState>(memnew(SceneState));
+	state.instantiate();
 }
diff --git a/scene/resources/portable_compressed_texture.cpp b/scene/resources/portable_compressed_texture.cpp
index 06b5ec6d5a2..55bbed7c470 100644
--- a/scene/resources/portable_compressed_texture.cpp
+++ b/scene/resources/portable_compressed_texture.cpp
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ void PortableCompressedTexture2D::_set_data(const Vector<uint8_t> &p_data) {
 				data_size -= mipsize;
 			}
 
-			image = Ref<Image>(memnew(Image(size.width, size.height, mipmaps, format, image_data)));
+			image.instantiate(size.width, size.height, mipmaps, format, image_data);
 
 		} break;
 		case COMPRESSION_MODE_BASIS_UNIVERSAL: {
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ void PortableCompressedTexture2D::_set_data(const Vector<uint8_t> &p_data) {
 		case COMPRESSION_MODE_S3TC:
 		case COMPRESSION_MODE_ETC2:
 		case COMPRESSION_MODE_BPTC: {
-			image = Ref<Image>(memnew(Image(size.width, size.height, mipmaps, format, p_data.slice(20))));
+			image.instantiate(size.width, size.height, mipmaps, format, p_data.slice(20));
 		} break;
 	}
 	ERR_FAIL_COND(image.is_null());
diff --git a/tests/scene/test_viewport.h b/tests/scene/test_viewport.h
index dde37944ece..06a38f234b0 100644
--- a/tests/scene/test_viewport.h
+++ b/tests/scene/test_viewport.h
@@ -1577,7 +1577,7 @@ TEST_CASE("[SceneTree][Viewport] Physics Picking 2D") {
 		PickingCollider pc;
 		pc.a = memnew(TestArea2D);
 		pc.c = memnew(CollisionShape2D);
-		pc.r = Ref<RectangleShape2D>(memnew(RectangleShape2D));
+		pc.r.instantiate();
 		pc.r->set_size(Size2(150, 150));
 		pc.c->set_shape(pc.r);
 		pc.a->add_child(pc.c);