Ionic firebase app

works fine in browser mode
works in ionic view mode
apk installs fine, shows splash page, but then does not respond
cordova whitelist is installed
did update config.xml to allow-intent href for both http:/// and https:///

The app arch is not to complex; still it should not affect behavior of ionic based app

ionic based app <–> firebase <–> nodejs app <–> nosqlDB

have invested a chunk of time, got my head wrapped around angular, ionic, angularFire, localDB variations etc etc. So many layers, so may glues … am wondering should I just go native?