What Should I Do If My Apps Keep Crashing?

Apps that keep crashing are frustrating, but the cause is usually something simple: a temporary glitch, outdated software, or corrupted app data. Work through these fixes in order. Most people find a solution within the first few steps.

What to do first

Start with the quickest, least disruptive fixes before moving to more drastic ones.

1. Force close the app. Swipe it away from your recent apps list, then reopen it. This clears the app's temporary state without deleting anything.
2. Restart your device. A full power off and back on clears memory issues that can cause crashes. Wait 30 seconds before turning it back on.
3. Update the app. Open your app store, search for the app, and install any available update. Developers frequently fix crash bugs.
4. Update your operating system. Go to your device settings and check for system updates. An outdated OS can conflict with newer apps.
5. Clear the app's cache. In your device settings, find the app in the apps list and select "Clear cache." This removes temporary files that may be corrupted. On iPhone, you may need to offload and reinstall the app instead.
6. Free up storage space. If your device is nearly full, apps may not have room to run properly. Delete unused files, photos, or apps to leave at least a few gigabytes free.
7. Check permissions. Some apps crash if they cannot access the camera, microphone, or storage. Review the app's permissions in settings and grant what it needs.
8. Clear app data or reinstall. If nothing else works, clear the app's data (this may erase saved logins) or uninstall and reinstall it. This gives you a clean copy.
9. Check for known issues. Visit the app's official support page or the app store reviews to see if other users are reporting the same crash. If so, the problem is likely on the developer's side and an update is coming.

What NOT to do

• Do not install unofficial "booster" or "cleaner" apps from unknown sources. They often cause more problems than they solve.
• Do not factory reset your device as a first step. It erases everything and is rarely necessary.
• Do not ignore repeated crashes from banking, payment, or password apps. Stop using the app and contact the provider through their official website or phone number.
• Do not download the app from a third-party site. Use only the official app store.

When to seek professional help

Contact the app developer's support team if the app crashes only for you and updates do not help. Contact your device manufacturer or carrier if many different apps crash, if your phone restarts on its own, or if it overheats. These can be signs of a hardware or system problem.

How to prevent future crashes

• Keep your apps and operating system updated automatically.
• Restart your device once a week.
• Keep at least 10 percent of your storage free.
• Only install apps from official stores.

Start with a force close and a restart. If the app still crashes, update it, clear its cache, and reinstall it as a last resort. If the problem continues across many apps, contact your device manufacturer or carrier for further help.