getPermissionStates causes app crash

[zovi-code]

Bug Report

I've released the app on the Play Store month ago and it has ~150 downloads and ~80 uninstall events. Reason for every uninstall event is the application crash that happens due to crash from the attached image. I got two reviews with ratings 1 that reported crash.

Plugin(s)

"@capacitor-community/safe-area": "^8.0.1",
"@capacitor-firebase/authentication": "^8.1.0",
"@capacitor-firebase/crashlytics": "^8.1.0",
"@capacitor-firebase/messaging": "^8.1.0",
"@capacitor/android": "^8.2.0",
"@capacitor/app": "^8.0.1",
"@capacitor/core": "^8.2.0",
"@capacitor/ios": "^8.2.0",
"@capacitor/preferences": "^8.0.1",
"@capacitor/splash-screen": "^8.0.1",
"@capgo/capacitor-app-tracking-transparency": "^8.1.5",

Capacitor Version

Latest Dependencies:

@capacitor/cli: 8.2.0
@capacitor/core: 8.2.0
@capacitor/android: 8.2.0
@capacitor/ios: 8.2.0

Installed Dependencies:

@capacitor/cli: 8.0.1
@capacitor/core: 8.2.0
@capacitor/android: 8.2.0
@capacitor/ios: 8.2.0

[success] iOS looking great! 👌
[success] Android looking great! 👌

Platform(s)

Android

Current Behavior

This causes crash:

 try {
    const permStatus = await FirebaseMessaging.checkPermissions();
    // Logic for storing `permStatus.receive` in react state...
  } catch {}

Expected Behavior

I expect await FirebaseMessaging.checkPermissions(); not to cause crash

Code Reproduction

https://github.com/ferhadm/capcrash

Additional Context

This happens on some Android devices and on other it works. Crash rate is ~50%.
From Crashlytics, the most recent problematic devices are: Galaxy A15 (Android 16), Galaxy S25+ (Android 16), Galaxy A22 5G (Android 13).

I used @capacitor/push-notifications and this crash was happening. After that I completely refactored my code to use @capacitor-firebase/messaging and exact same thing is happening.

[Ionitron]

This issue needs more information before it can be addressed.
In particular, the reporter needs to provide a minimal sample app that demonstrates the issue.
If no sample app is provided within 7 days, the issue will be closed.

Please see the Contributing Guide for how to create a Sample App.

Thanks!
Ionitron 💙

[zovi-code]

@Ionitron This PR contains solution to the problem. I tested it and verified it works.

I added git repo with minimal sample app as well.

[jadonhansen]

@jcesarmobile this is a real issue happening in production, please give attention to it.
It is very difficult to reproduce as it only affects some devices.

@zovi-code has provided a sample app and solution. What is the hold up on this?

Here are some screenshots of the issue being flagged in Google, this is after a couple hours in production of a high traffic mobile app.

[jadonhansen]

Updated stats. This bug is causing a lot of crashes in production. This is a real issue and the solution is already out there