How To Fix Apps That Keep Crashing On Android
You can usually troubleshoot the problem without resetting your phone. Follow these steps in order, starting with the simplest fixes before moving to more advanced solutions.
Why Apps Keep Crashing On Android
An Android app may keep crashing because of an outdated app version, outdated Android software or corrupted cache and app data. Low storage, limited system resources, incorrect permissions and compatibility problems can also cause issues.
A recent app update can introduce a bug that makes an otherwise working app unstable. Checking whether one app or several apps are affected can help you identify the right solution.
Restart Your Android Device
Restarting your phone is the simplest fix to try because it can clear temporary system problems affecting an app.
- Press and hold the Power button.
- Tap Restart.
- Wait for the phone to start completely.
- Open the affected app.
If the app still crashes, continue with the next step.
Update The App
An outdated app may contain bugs that have already been fixed in a newer version.
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Tap your profile picture.
- Select Manage apps & device.
- Tap Updates available if shown.
- Find the affected app.
- Tap Update.
- Open the app after the update finishes.
If no update is available, move to the next troubleshooting step.
Update Android
The app may also have a compatibility problem with the Android software installed on your phone.
- Open Settings.
- Look for System, Software update or System update.
- Check for available updates.
- Download and install an update if one is available.
- Restart the phone if required.
- Test the affected app again.
The names and locations of these options may differ depending on your Android version and phone manufacturer.
Check Your Phone Storage
A phone with very little free storage can experience problems with apps and other system functions.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Storage or Storage space.
- Check the amount of available storage.
- Remove unwanted videos, downloads or other personal files if space is low.
- Uninstall apps you no longer use.
- Empty the recently deleted or rubbish folder if your phone has one.
- Restart the phone and test the app again.
Do not delete unfamiliar system files simply to create more space. Remove files and apps that you know you no longer need.
Clear The App Cache
If one particular app keeps crashing, clearing its cache is a useful next step. This removes temporary files stored by the app.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps, App management or a similar option.
- Select the affected app.
- Tap Storage or Storage & cache.
- Tap Clear cache.
- Open the app again.
If the app works normally after clearing the cache, you can continue using it without changing anything else.
Force Stop And Reopen The App
Force stopping the app completely ends its current process. This can help if the app has become stuck or is not responding properly.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps or App management.
- Select the affected app.
- Tap Force stop.
- Confirm if prompted.
- Open the app again.
If it crashes immediately after being reopened, continue with the next step.
Check App Permissions
Check the app's permissions if it crashes while trying to use a feature that requires access to something on your phone.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Select the affected app.
- Tap Permissions.
- Review the permissions listed as Not allowed.
- Allow a permission if the app genuinely needs it.
- Open the app again.
Only allow permissions that are necessary for the app's features.
Clear App Data
If clearing the cache does not fix the problem, clearing the app's data can reset the application to a fresh state.
- Open Settings.
- Go to Apps.
- Select the affected app.
- Tap Storage or Storage & cache.
- Tap Clear storage, Clear data or a similar option.
- Confirm the action.
- Open the app again.
Be careful with this step. Clearing app data can remove locally stored information, reset the app's settings or sign you out. Make sure important information is backed up or synced before using this option.
Reinstall The App
Reinstalling the app can help if its installed files have become damaged or the previous troubleshooting steps have not worked.
- Press and hold the app icon.
- Tap Uninstall.
- Confirm the uninstallation.
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Search for the app.
- Tap Install.
- Open the app after installation.
- Sign in again if necessary.
Check that important information is backed up before uninstalling because some apps may store data locally on the phone.
Check If Other Apps Are Crashing
Open several other apps to find out whether the problem is limited to one application.
If only one app keeps crashing, focus on that app. Update it, clear its cache, check its permissions and reinstall it if necessary.
If several unrelated apps keep crashing, the problem may be related to the Android system, storage or another installed application. Continue with the next troubleshooting step.
Test Your Phone In Safe Mode
Safe Mode can help you determine whether another downloaded app is interfering with your phone.
The method for entering Safe Mode differs between Android manufacturers so check the instructions for your specific device.
After entering Safe Mode, test the apps that were crashing.
- If the crashes stop, a downloaded app may be causing the problem.
- If the crashes continue, the cause may not be a downloaded app.
If the phone works normally in Safe Mode, think about apps you recently installed or updated. Remove suspicious apps one at a time and restart the phone normally after each removal.
Check For Compatibility Problems
An app may crash if its latest version is not fully compatible with your Android version or device.
Open the app's page in the Google Play Store and check its available information. If the app started crashing immediately after an update, the update itself may contain a bug.
Check for another update before making major changes to your phone. If no fix is available and other users are experiencing the same problem, the developer may need to release an update.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Android app keep crashing when I open it?
It may be outdated, have corrupted cache data or have a compatibility problem. Restart the phone, update the app and clear its cache.
What should I do if only one app keeps crashing?
Update the app, clear its cache and check its permissions. If it still crashes, reinstall it.
What should I do if several apps keep crashing?
Check your storage and Android updates. If the problem continues, try Safe Mode to check whether another app is causing the issue.
Can clearing app data fix an app that keeps crashing?
Yes, it can reset the app and fix some problems. However, it may delete locally stored information or sign you out.
If One App Still Keeps Crashing
If only one app keeps crashing while other apps work normally, the problem is more likely to be with that app. Check the Google Play Store for another update and reinstall the app if necessary.
If it still crashes after these steps, contact the app developer through the support option provided on its Play Store page. A bug or compatibility problem may require a fix from the developer.
If Several Apps Keep Crashing
When several unrelated apps keep crashing, check your available storage and install any pending Android updates. You can also use Safe Mode to check whether a recently installed app is affecting the phone.
If the crashes continue after these checks, contact your phone manufacturer's support service for further assistance. Avoid using third-party cleaner or booster apps and do not factory reset the phone unless other troubleshooting options have failed and your important data has been backed up.