If your app's architecture ignores unexpected failures, you might need a new Architect. Apps like food ordering, commute, and even banks fail. Here's how to stay prepared: 1. Friendly Neighbor Rule: Show users a calm message like, "Oops! Quick chai break!" 2. Alien Invasion Theory: Treat APIs like unpredictable aliens. Use tools like Crashlytics to monitor issues. 3. Karachi Traffic Strategy: Use retry logic and circuit breakers to avoid hammering failing APIs. 4. Backup Dabba Plan: Cache key data to stay functional during outages. 5. Lifeguard Approach: Inform users promptly when things go wrong. Prepare for chaos, and users will stick with you — even when APIs misbehave.

In my experience, you should have a fallback mechanism. Show users some friendly messages and ask them to be patient. Sometimes, give them some credit as compensation if the failure lasts long.

As software engineers, we know how common it is for apps to rely on third-party APIs, like payment gateways, delivery systems, and Google Maps. These APIs are often essential for user interaction, and any failure can significantly impact the user experience. To improve system reliability and make the user experience smoother, follow these steps: Implement logging in your app to track failures. This will help you identify at which point a failure occurred, allowing you to diagnose and fix issues quickly. In case of failure, guide users to a clear message reassuring them that the issue is being addressed and will be resolved shortly. Offer backup solutions so that critical business functions are not disrupted by third-party failures.

Third-party APIs are great—until they fail. That’s why resilience is key. Start by researching API providers: How reputable are they? What guarantees and fallback plans do they offer? On your side, implement retry logic with exponential backoff to avoid overwhelming a failing API. A circuit breaker helps pause requests until recovery. Use fallbacks like caching with default or last known values to keep things running. Monitor failures with alerts, and for critical APIs, have a backup provider. The goal? Graceful degradation, not total failure. Did I miss anything?

If a third-party API unexpectedly fails, here’s how to handle it effectively: Implement Error Handling – Use try-catch blocks and meaningful error messages to inform users of temporary issues. Set Up Fallback Mechanisms – Cache recent data or provide limited offline functionality to maintain a good user experience. Use Retries with Exponential Backoff – Instead of overwhelming the API, retry requests with increasing delay intervals. Monitor API Status – Integrate monitoring tools or check the provider’s status page to detect failures early. Have an Alternative API or Manual Mode – If possible, switch to a backup API or allow users to proceed with partial functionality. Proactive planning ensures that API failures don’t disrupt your app.