Mobile apps run on unreliable networks. Handling state, caching, and offline behavior correctly is where many apps succeed or fail.
One source of truth
A common architecture uses a local database as the source of truth, with the network synchronizing into it. The UI observes the database, so screens stay consistent even without connectivity.
Typical agent mistakes
- Calling the network directly from the UI layer.
- Ignoring loading, empty, and error states.
- Storing sensitive data without encryption.
- Blocking the main thread with disk or network work.
Specify the pattern
Describe the repository pattern in your instructions: where data comes from, how errors are represented, and which dispatchers run which work. Provide a reference feature to copy.
Model state explicitly
Represent screen state as a single immutable object with clear cases for loading, content, and failure. That makes the logic easier to test and review.
Background work
For work that must survive app exit, such as sync or uploads, use the platform's scheduled-work tools and make operations idempotent so retries are safe.
Test offline behavior
Test with the network disabled, with slow responses, and with failures partway through. Fake data sources make these tests fast.
Takeaway
Specify the data architecture up front and verify edge cases such as failure and offline mode, since agents often default to the optimistic path.
Continue with the book
Explore the full treatment, worked examples, and exercises in Agentic Android App Development.
Adapted from Agentic Android App Development, published by Choral Software. Article text and original examples © 2026 Choral Software. All rights reserved.