Quick Overview
If an app repeatedly crashes or freezes on your device, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve the issue:
- Force close and restart the app
- Check for app updates
- Restart your device
- Free up storage space
- Clear the app cache and data
- Uninstall and reinstall the app
- Check for operating system or firmware updates
- Try using the app in safe mode
- Reset app preferences
- Factory reset the device
The most common fixes involve refreshing the app by force closing, clearing cached data, uninstalling and reinstalling the app, or updating the app and OS. Hardware issues, lack of storage, or software incompatibilities can also cause apps to crash. If basic troubleshooting does not resolve the issue, you may need to contact the app developer for support.
Identify the Problematic App
The first step is to identify which specific app is crashing. If only one app is having issues, it likely points to a problem with that particular app rather than your device. Take note of when and how often the app crashes. Does it happen when you perform a certain action in the app? Can you reproduce the crash consistently? Details like these will help you troubleshoot the issue.
If multiple apps are crashing, it may indicate a more widespread problem with your device. In that case, you’ll want to rule out any issues with your operating system, available storage, or hardware performance.
Force Close and Restart the App
Sometimes an app just needs a fresh start to function normally again. When an app freezes or becomes unresponsive, you can force close it through your device settings or app manager.
On an iPhone or iPad, double press the home button to bring up the app switcher. Swipe up on the app preview to force close it. On Android devices, open the Settings app and select Apps or Application Manager. Tap the problematic app and select Force Stop.
After force closing the app, restart your device and launch the app again. This essentially gives the app a fresh start, clearing any corrupted data that may be causing crashes.
Force closing apps and restarting your device are simple first steps for troubleshooting any app issues. If the crashes persist, additional steps will be needed.
Check for App Updates
App developers frequently release updates to fix bugs, improve performance, and add new features. If your app is crashing, an update from the developer may address underlying issues.
On iOS devices, open the App Store app and select the Updates tab. Apply any available updates for the problematic app. On Android, open the Play Store app and tap Menu > My Apps & Games. Apply updates for any apps needing them.
You can also enable automatic app updates on both platforms so you always have the latest versions. Updating apps regularly can prevent crashes and other issues.
Restart Your Device
In some cases, a simple restart can clear up app crashing problems. Restarting your iPhone, Android, tablet, or other device essentially gives the operating system a fresh start. This can clear any corrupted files or memory issues that may be disrupting app functionality.
To restart an iPhone 8 or later, press and quickly release the Volume Up button, press and quickly release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.
For earlier iPhone models, press and hold the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons together until the screen goes black and the Apple logo appears.
On most Android devices, press and hold the Power button and select Restart when prompted.
Restarting your device ensures any lingering app issues are cleared and things are reset. If the app still crashes after a restart, move on to other troubleshooting steps.
Free Up Storage Space
Lack of sufficient storage space can sometimes cause apps to crash or function poorly on mobile devices. Apps require free space to cache data and perform processes in the background.
To check your available storage on an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Storage. On Android, go to Settings > Storage.
If you are getting low on space, try the following actions to free up storage:
- Delete or offload unused apps
- Remove stored media like photos, videos, and music
- Transfer photos and videos to cloud backup services
- Clear cached data and files for apps and browsers
- Uninstall and reinstall apps to clear their data
- Move files and media to external storage if available
Getting your device storage back to at least 10-20% free space can help prevent app crashes and instability. Remove unnecessary files and data to open up room for apps to work properly.
Clear the App Cache and Data
Over time, residual files, cached data, and corrupt settings can accumulate for apps. This can slow them down and make them prone to freezing or crashing.
Clearing the cache and app data gives the app a clean slate, which may resolve crashing issues:
On iPhone/iPad:
1. Go to Settings > General > iPhone/iPad Storage
2. Tap on the problematic app
3. Tap Offload App or Offload Unused Apps to clear cache and data
On Android:
1. Open Settings > Apps & Notifications
2. Select the app and tap Storage
3. Tap Clear Cache and Clear Data
Be aware this will delete your settings and login information for the app. But removing accumulated temporary data often fixes crashing problems.
Uninstall and Reinstall the App
If you’ve attempted other troubleshooting without success, uninstalling and reinstalling the problematic app can help. This completely removes the app and all associated data from your device. When you reinstall it, the app will be like new.
To uninstall apps:
On iPhone/iPad:
1. Touch and hold the app icon until it jiggles
2. Tap the X icon displayed on the app
3. Tap Delete to confirm
On Android:
1. Open Settings > Apps & Notifications
2. Tap the app and select Uninstall
After uninstalling the app, restart your device. Then reinstall the app from the App Store or Play Store. Sign in, set up the app again, and see if crashes occur. A clean install like this often resolves persistent crashing issues.
Check for Operating System and Firmware Updates
Sometimes app crashes are caused not by the app itself but by conflicts with your device’s operating system. Updates to the iOS or Android OS firmware may address bugs affecting app stability.
On iOS devices, install any iOS updates available in Settings > General > Software Update. For Android devices, install system updates from Settings > System > System Update.
Major operating system updates in particular can improve how well apps function. Keep your device OS up-to-date to prevent and resolve app crashes.
Try Using the App in Safe Mode
Booting into safe mode starts your device with only the essential apps and services running. This isolates whether a crashing app is due to a conflict with another installed app.
To use safe mode on iPhone or iPad, power off your device then power it back on. When you see the Apple logo, press and hold the Volume Down button until your home screen loads.
For Android devices, press and hold the Power button after restarting your phone. A Safe Mode option will appear – tap OK to enter safe mode.
Once in safe mode, try opening the problematic app. If the crashes no longer occur, it indicates another app is causing conflicts. You can then systematically determine which installed app is incompatible.
Reset App Preferences
Resetting app preferences can clear any corrupted settings and start apps fresh. To reset app preferences on iOS:
1. Go to Settings > General > Reset
2. Tap Reset All Settings
3. Enter your device passcode if prompted
On Android:
1. Go to Settings > Apps & Notifications
2. Tap the menu and select Reset App Preferences
3. Confirm to reset settings for all apps
This preserves your actual app data but restores each app’s settings to default. If crashes stem from bad app settings, this should resolve it.
Factory Reset the Device
If you’ve exhausted all other options, a factory reset can often fix app crashing problems. This erases all data and settings on the device and restores it to out-of-the-box condition.
Before a factory reset, be sure to backup any data you want to preserve. Then:
On iPhone/iPad:
1. Go to Settings > General > Reset
2. Select Erase All Content and Settings
3. Enter your passcode if prompted
On Android:
1. Open Settings > System > Reset options
2. Tap Erase all data (factory reset)
3. Confirm to wipe your device
Once factory reset, you’ll have to reconfigure your device and reinstall apps. This gives you a clean slate that often resolves persistent crashing problems. It should be used as a last resort after trying other troubleshooting.
Contact the App Developer for Support
If you’ve tried all standard troubleshooting without success, reach out to the app developer’s support team. They may be aware of underlying issues that are causing crashes for users.
On the App Store or Play Store listing, look for the developer’s website or support contact information. You can also search their company name to find support options.
Explain in detail the crashing issues you’re experiencing. Provide information like:
- Device make/model and OS version
- App version installed
- Frequency and details of the crashes
- Troubleshooting steps attempted
With sufficient information, the developer may be able to replicate and pinpoint the cause of the crashes. They can then release an app update to address the problems you reported.
Conclusion
App crashes can happen for a variety of reasons, but they are usually solvable with some dedicated troubleshooting. Start with quick fixes like restarting the app and device or installing app updates. If the issue persists, clearing app data and caches, uninstalling/reinstalling the app, or factory resetting your device may be necessary. Reaching out to developer support can also help identify elusive crashing bugs. With patience and systematically working through solutions, you should be able to get your apps running stable again.