Your mobile app relies on a third-party API. How will you handle it when the API suddenly stops working?

Handling a sudden failure of a third-party API requires a proactive and strategic approach. Here are five key steps: ?????????????????? ????????????????????: Have backup APIs or alternative solutions in place to minimize disruption. ?????????????? ?????? ????????????: Use monitoring tools to detect issues early. ?????????????????????? ???????? ??????????????????: Establish a line of communication with the API provider for updates and support. ???????? ?????? ????????????????: Develop a contingency plan for handling API outages and integrate it into your app's architecture. ?????????? ????????????????????: As a CEO, I prioritize building robust systems that adapt to API changes and ensure minimal impact on our operations.

The networking in the app should be able to handle the API failure.It should handle the failure gracefully by either messaging the user that the API is down and will be restored soon. Parts of the app which need the access of API should indicate it's limitations. The app if it can work with local cache should try to provide the users a seamless experience.

Step 1. Support your users Inform your support team who are getting the feedback and reports from users about the third party API outage situation, and the recommended way they should respond. Post about the known issue on your social media accounts, and let your customer know that it is being investigated. Step 2. Determine the cause, and length of outage with the third party. Check the Status page of the third party service for information on the outage. Contact the third party API provider, or create a ticket for investigating the issue. Step 3. Decide on next steps: If outage shall recover, continue to share status info internally and with customers. If outage is permanent, plan to deprecate the third party api/feature and inform users.

When a third-party API stops working, first, check the API provider’s status page and communication channels for updates. Implement fallback mechanisms or alternative solutions to ensure your app remains functional. Communicate with users about potential issues and provide updates on progress. Review and update your API integration to handle such disruptions better in the future. Additionally, consider building redundancy into your app’s architecture to mitigate reliance on a single external service.

Set up strong monitoring to be alerted instantly when an API's performance drops or becomes unresponsive. This proactive strategy helps you tackle issues before they affect users. Monitoring should cover uptime, response time, and error rates to quickly spot and address any problems. Example: If your app relies on a payment API, monitoring can alert you to slow response times, allowing you to address the issue before it affects user transactions.

To stay informed about API issues, implement robust monitoring with tools that alert you instantly if performance drops or the API becomes unresponsive. Track uptime, response times, and error rates to proactively address problems before they affect users. This ensures your app remains reliable and user experience stays positive.

When your app relies on a third-party API, issues can arise if it suddenly stops working. That’s why proactive monitoring is essential. By setting up alerts for API performance, you can quickly spot problems like downtime or slow responses. This allows you to act fast and reduce the impact on your users. Staying ahead of these issues is crucial for keeping your app reliable.

- Set up monitoring tools to alert you immediately of API performance issues or unresponsiveness. - Track metrics like uptime, response time, and error rates for proactive issue management. - Address problems quickly to minimize user impact and maintain app reliability. Effective monitoring ensures prompt action and maintains a seamless user experience.

One helpful approach is to regularly explore backup APIs. This ensures business continuity. Also, implementing remote config features can be a game changer. It allows for real-time customization of user experiences, providing both flexibility and control. Although not so obvious to build at first but definitely a life saver if baked into the planning and design stage.

- Graceful degradation allows your app to function with limited features if a component fails. - Temporarily disable dependent features or inform users about issues to maintain usability. - The goal is to preserve user trust and satisfaction despite functionality constraints. Implementing graceful degradation ensures your app remains reliable even during disruptions.

Graceful degradation ensures your app remains functional, even when an API fails. If an API is down, the app should still operate with reduced features, like temporarily disabling dependent functions or informing users about the issue. This approach maintains usability, preserving user trust and satisfaction.

Gracefully handling the scenario - If a specific part of app or a feature of app is broken, and that feature is not a P0 feature then can be disabled with a notification to the user that system is suffering error and will be back in some stipulated time. If the Offline app is built well and user actions/data can be saved and sync at later stage - we should encourage user to proceed with their journey rather than halting their operations.

Transparency during an API outage is vital. Keep users informed through in-app notifications, social media, or a status page. By communicating openly about the issue and your efforts to resolve it, you demonstrate responsibility and commitment, helping to maintain user confidence and minimize frustration.

During an API outage, promptly inform users of the issue and your efforts to resolve it. Use in-app notifications, social media, or a status page to communicate. Clear updates help maintain trust and minimize user frustration.

Fallbacks -- Saves developer big time. :) In case we have an alternative backup API available and the mitigation of the scenario is possible by some config change should be priority rather than working on a hotfix which is error prone.

Always have a backup plan. If the primary API fails, an alternative solution—such as another API with similar functionality or a secondary system—can keep your app running smoothly. Like a spare tire, it's there when you need it. Fallback mechanisms ensure your app remains functional and responsive, even during external disruptions.

Always be prepared with a backup plan. If your main API fails, having an alternative ready can keep your app running smoothly. Implementing fallback options ensures continued functionality, even when issues arise with external services.

After an API failure, update your app to better handle future incidents. Analyze the failure to identify causes, then improve monitoring, error handling, and communication strategies. Test these updates thoroughly to ensure they work as intended. Regular testing and updates make your app more resilient and reliable for future challenges.

When an API fails, start by identifying the root cause. Use these insights to enhance how you monitor, handle errors, and communicate with users. Regularly test and update your app to strengthen its ability to handle similar issues in the future.