feat: Implement graceful degradation for camera and location features

App.tsx

@@ -14,16 +14,18 @@ import AppNavigator from './src/navigation/AppNavigator';
 import { setupNotificationNavigation } from './src/navigation/linking';
 import { apiClient } from './src/services/api';
 import { crashReportingService } from './src/services/cashReporting';
+import { featureCapabilities } from './src/services/featureCapabilities';
 import { mobileAuthService } from './src/services/mobileAuth';
 import {
-  addNotificationReceivedListener,
-  getLastNotificationResponse,
-  removeNotificationListener,
+    addNotificationReceivedListener,
+    getLastNotificationResponse,
+    removeNotificationListener,
 } from './src/services/pushNotifications';
 import { requestQueue } from './src/services/requestQueue';
 import socketService from './src/services/socket';
 import syncService from './src/services/syncService';
 import { useAppStore } from './src/store';
+import { useDegradationStore } from './src/store/degradationStore';
 import { handleCacheVersionUpdate } from './src/utils/cacheVersioning';
 import { requireEnvVariables } from './src/utils/env';
 import { appLogger } from './src/utils/logger';
@@ -120,6 +122,28 @@ const App = () => {
     // Connect to socket when app starts
     socketService.connect();
 
+    // Initialize feature capability detection (non-blocking)
+    // This determines which features are available and updates degradation state
+    featureCapabilities.checkAllCapabilities()
+      .then(capabilities => {
+        const degradationStore = useDegradationStore.getState();
+        appLogger.infoSync('[App] Feature capabilities checked', {
+          camera: capabilities.camera.status,
+          notifications: capabilities.pushNotifications.status,
+          location: capabilities.location.status,
+        });
+        // Update degradation store with current feature statuses
+        Object.entries(capabilities).forEach(([feature, info]) => {
+          if (feature !== 'checkedAt' && 'status' in info) {
+            degradationStore.setFeatureStatus(feature as any, info.status);
+          }
+        });
+      })
+      .catch(error => {
+        appLogger.errorSync('[App] Error checking feature capabilities', error instanceof Error ? error : new Error(String(error)));
+        // Continue app startup - degradation will be detected on-demand
+      });
+
     // Initialize push notifications: request permissions and get device token
     registerForPushNotifications().then(async (token) => {
       if (token) {

docs/GRACEFUL_DEGRADATION.md

@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+# Graceful Degradation Strategy
+
+This document outlines TeachLink Mobile's approach to graceful degradation when device features or permissions are unavailable.
+
+## Goals
+
+- Avoid crashes when hardware or permissions are missing.
+- Provide clear user feedback and fallback UX.
+- Maintain core app functionality with degraded capabilities.
+
+## Features Covered
+
+- Camera (photo capture & gallery)
+- Push Notifications
+- Location
+
+## Strategy
+
+1. Detect capabilities at startup using `src/services/featureCapabilities.ts`.
+2. Persist degradation state in `src/store/degradationStore.ts`.
+3. Provide hooks with fallbacks: `src/hooks/useCamera.ts`, `src/hooks/useLocation.ts`.
+4. Provide UI components to inform users: `src/components/DegradationBanner.tsx`.
+5. Use `locationService` to attempt GPS, then cached, then manual entry.
+6. Use in-app notifications when push notifications unavailable.
+
+## Developer Notes
+
+- When adding new features that require hardware or permissions, update `featureCapabilities` and `degradationStore` accordingly.
+- Use `degradationStore.addNotification()` to notify users about degraded features.
+- Prefer non-blocking initialization; detect capabilities asynchronously.
+
+## Testing
+
+- Test on simulator to verify push notification degradation behavior.
+- Deny permissions to test camera fallback to library and manual location entry.
+- Test devices without GPS to ensure manual flow works.
+