Stuck on Offline page upon start

[samfcmc]

Describe the bug
Two days ago, I tried to open the app and it just shows me the offline screen (see screenshot).

I have been using the app for more than a month without any issues. But since two days ago I always get this error. I can't do anything, like logout or something.

If I open Google Chrome and type "dev.to" I can use the web app without any problems. Only the apps returns me this error.

To Reproduce
I am sorry, I hate to tell you this but I really don't know how to reproduce. I was just using it and one day I tried and it started to show me the error screen. From that day, it always does that and I can't do anything.

I am a software developer and I hate when people report a bug and tell me they don't know how to reproduce... But it is the case here. 😞

Expected behavior
Show the dev.to feed

Screenshots

Smartphone (please complete the following information):

• Device: Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
• OS: Android
• Version 8.0.0

Additional context

I don't know what happened. Let me know what I can do to get more data to help you.

[maestromac]

Thanks for the error report @samfcmc . Can you try uninstalling and reinstalling the app? Let me know if the error still persist.

[justinenz]

Describe the bug
I have the same bug as @samfcmc

To Reproduce
Unsure, seems to have started on its own?

Expected behavior
Show the dev.to feed

Smartphone (please complete the following information):

Device: Samsung Galaxy Note 9
OS: Android
Version 9.0.0

Additional context
dev.to app version: 1.2
dev.to Beta: No

First attempt at resolving
Force closed dev.to app
Cleared dev.to app cache
Opened dev.to app
Results: offline screen persisted

Second attempt at resolving
Force closed dev.to app
Cleared dev.to app cache
Cleared dev.to app data
Opened dev.to app
Initial results: feed was shown
Closed dev.to app
Opened dev.to app
Final results: offline screen returned

Third attempt at resolving
Uninstall dev.to app
Install dev.to app
Opened dev.to app
Initial results: feed was shown
Closed dev.to app
Opened dev.to app
Final results: offline screen returned

[samfcmc]

I reinstalled the app. I was able to login and see the feed. Later on, when I try to open the app again, the offline screen returns. I can only see the feed the first time I use it after installing the app.

[maestromac]

I'm experiencing this issue too now. I'm going out of the limb to say that this is most likely caused by Service Worker.

[joshuadeguzman]

This issue is reproducible by following these steps:

1. Open the app.
2. Turn off wifi / data
3. Open the app again

You will see the error screen.

A workaround to get over it:

1. Go to Settings
2. Clear Data of DEV.to app
3. Open App

Willing to take a look on this and check viable fix if no one will claim the ticket. Seems to be critical.

@maestromac

[maestromac]

Thanks for those infos @samfcmc . I've verified that this is indeed caused by Service Worker; It is being too aggressive with offline page. I will be deploying a tweak via the web app.

[samfcmc]

@joshuadeguzman I don't need to turn off WiFi or data. After I closed it, it becomes unusable. I am closing it by touching the "Overview" on the bottom side of my phone and force the app to close. Then, I have to delete the app data to be able to use it again.

[irshsheik]

Same here. OnePlus 3t.

[msfjarvis]

Exact same behaviour as @samfcmc, had to clear data to regain functionality. Appears the fix didn't work?

[sierisimo]

The fix to this has to be achieved in the web team. For android the things we can achieve require to know the explicit URL or check on every launch for a reload of the webview.

Doing the reload of the webview will lead to more issues than the fix from the webworker

[msfjarvis]

I'm aware. I saw Mac land a Service Worker update in master (forem/forem@0af2a0a) which was why I said what I did.

[maestromac]

Yep the fix will have to be done on the web app. I'm channeling the conversation to here for the time being since I see higher occurrence through the mobile app.

At the moment, I can't seem to reproduce the error at all on my OnePlus 6T Android 9.0.14. Perhaps using both WebViewClient and WebChromeClient is causing some conflict with SW? Whatever it is, it is causing fetch to fail immediately despite having a connection. The most drastic solution that might need to happen is to turn off Service Worker for mobile.

[maestromac]

Judging by the bug's sudden appearance and how it's also affecting Facebook's browser & DuckDuckGo browser, I believe this is a chromium bug https://bugs.chromium.org/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=977784

Additional refs:
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/56681774/update-service-worker-in-facebook-browser
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/56719340/fetch-request-immediately-failing-in-service-worker-running-through-android-we
The patch:
https://chromium-review.googlesource.com/c/chromium/src/+/1675358

[maestromac]

It seems like the fix was rolled out yesterday by the Chromium team and it will take a few days for everybody to receive it. If you are still hitting the offline page upon start, clearing the cache once or twice should resolve the it as per Chromium team's suggestion.

I am keeping an eye on it if to see if there's any further action we need to take.

[msfjarvis]

Clearing cache seems to have resolved the problem on my end. Will be on the lookout for Chrome updates on my devices.

[ghost]

I cleaned the cache and reinstalled the app. It opened fine. I did not log in and the 2nd time around it was offline again.
Android 9 on Moto X4

[msfjarvis]

Haven't hit this again in the past week

[maestromac]

Are you still experiencing this issue @neex-io ?

[msfjarvis]

And right on cue, stuck on offline page again 🤐

Edit: Force stop fixed it for some reason...

[sierisimo]

Haven't faced the issue in a while… is still a thing?

[msfjarvis]

Can confirm the issue hasn't showed up since my last comment.

[maestromac]

Thank you for the update.

This issue is resolved

[AhsabAli2000]

This is happening today too on desktop brave