Where does the bug appear (feature/product)?
Somewhere else…
Describe the Bug
I’m requesting an architectural review rather than a normal bug fix.
I’m building a TikTok-style vertical video feed using React Native, Expo SDK 54, and expo-video on Android.
We have already rewritten the feed multiple times (legacy, overlay/pool architecture, and a brand new v3 architecture), but we still cannot completely eliminate rendering flicker during swipe transitions.
Current symptoms:
- Random flicker while swiping between videos.
- Some videos briefly flash during transition.
- Occasionally the poster remains visible before playback starts.
- Some videos start with delayed playback.
- The previous video issue has already been fixed, but rendering flicker still exists.
We already implemented extensive tracing, HUD diagnostics, timing logs, first-frame tracking, and layer instrumentation. The issue now appears to be architectural rather than a simple coding bug.
I’m looking for advice from engineers who have experience building high-performance Android video feeds similar to TikTok or Instagram Reels.
Steps to Reproduce
- Open the Android app.
- Scroll through the vertical video feed.
- Swipe quickly and slowly between videos.
- Observe random rendering flicker during transitions.
- Flicker frequency depends on timing and device performance.
This happens consistently on Android devices.
Expected Behavior
The transition should be identical to TikTok or Instagram Reels.
The previous frame should disappear immediately.
The next video should appear smoothly with no black frame, no layer flash, no poster flash, and no rendering artifacts.
Only one stable visual transition should occur.
Screenshots / Screen Recordings
Operating System
Windows 10/11
Version Information
Cursor IDE
Version: 3.9.16
Operating System: Windows 11
For AI issues: which model did you use?
Claude Sonnet 4
GPT-5
Cursor Agent
Additional Information
This is not a Cursor bug itself. I am asking for an architectural review from experienced engineers.
I have been working for several days on an Android video feed flickering issue in a React Native + Expo + Expo Video application, similar to TikTok. We collected logs, traces, and screen recordings and fixed several issues (stale previous video, delayed mounts, inactive surfaces), but a visible flicker still occurs during swipe transitions.
I would appreciate an architectural review rather than another small patch. I am looking for guidance on the correct architecture used by large apps like TikTok or Instagram for seamless video transitions on Android.
If needed, I can share:
- Screen recordings
- Metro logs
- Trace logs
- Relevant source files
- The complete rendering pipeline
I would greatly appreciate advice from someone experienced with Android rendering, TextureView/SurfaceView, ExoPlayer, React Native, or Expo Video.
Does this stop you from using Cursor
No - Cursor works, but with this issue