How to Fix Apps That Keep Crashing on Android
Does an app keep closing, freezing, or returning to your home screen on your Android phone? This can happen when an app has a temporary bug, needs an update, runs low on available resources, or has corrupted temporary data.
The good news is that you can try several troubleshooting steps before uninstalling the app or resetting your phone.
In this guide, you'll learn how to fix Android apps that keep crashing while protecting your photos, documents, and other important files.
Before you start: If the app contains important unsaved information, check whether it syncs your data to an account or has a backup option. Avoid clearing app data until you understand what it will remove.
1. Close the App and Open It Again
Sometimes an app crashes because of a temporary problem. Closing and reopening it is a simple first step.
Close the affected app.
Open your recent-apps screen.
Swipe the app away, or use your phone's available option to close it.
Open the app again and check whether the problem continues.
If the app remains unresponsive, you can try force-stopping it:
Open Settings.
Tap Apps or Apps management.
Select the affected app.
Tap Force stop, if available.
Open the app again.
Menu names vary by Android version and manufacturer.
Force-stopping an app normally doesn't uninstall it or erase its stored data, but any unsaved work may be lost.
2. Restart Your Android Phone
A restart can resolve temporary system problems and release resources being used by unresponsive apps.
Save any work you can.
Open your phone's power menu.
Select Restart, if available.
Wait for the phone to start again.
Open the affected app and test it.
If only one app crashes, continue with the app-specific steps below. If several apps are crashing, pay particular attention to system updates, available storage, and shared components.
3. Check for App Updates
An outdated app may have bugs that have already been fixed in a newer release.
To check for updates:
Open the Google Play Store, if you use it.
Search for the affected app.
Open its store page.
If an Update button appears, tap it.
After updating, open the app and see whether it works correctly.
If the app was installed from another legitimate source, check that source for updates instead.
An update can sometimes introduce a new bug, so updating doesn't guarantee that the problem will disappear. If the crashes began immediately after an update, check the developer's support information for known issues.
4. Update Android and Relevant System Components
Some apps rely on Android system components that may need updating.
First, check whether a system update is available:
Open Settings.
Look for System update, Software update, or a similarly named option.
Check for available updates.
Follow the instructions if you decide to install one.
You can also check the Google Play Store for updates to components such as Android System WebView and Google Chrome when relevant to the problem.
The exact update options depend on your device, Android version, and app. Back up important information and make sure you have enough battery before installing a system update.
5. Clear the App's Cache
An app's cache contains temporary data. If that data becomes problematic, clearing it may help.
Follow these steps:
Open Settings.
Select Apps or Apps management.
Choose the app that keeps crashing.
Tap Storage or Storage and cache.
Select Clear cache, if available.
Open the app again.
The app may take longer to load the next time because some temporary files must be recreated.
Important: Choose Clear cache, not Clear storage or Clear data, unless you understand the consequences. Clearing storage or data may remove local settings, downloaded content, login sessions, and unsynced information.
6. Check Your Available Storage
If your phone has very little free storage, certain apps and system operations may not work reliably.
To check:
Open Settings.
Tap Storage.
Review how much space is available.
If space is low, remove unnecessary downloads, review large files, or clear selected app caches.
Before deleting anything, check that your important photos and documents are backed up.
For a more detailed guide, read How to Free Up Storage on Android Without Deleting Important Files on DroidZuno.
7. Check Your Internet Connection
Some apps may freeze or close unexpectedly when they depend on online services, although connection problems don't explain every crash.
Try the following:
Open a trusted website or another online app.
Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, if available.
If you're using Wi-Fi, reconnect to the network.
Reopen the affected app.
If the problem happens only in one online service, check whether the service has reported an outage or maintenance issue.
Avoid changing advanced network settings unless you have a specific reason to do so.
8. Check the App's Permissions
An app may not work correctly if it cannot access a feature it genuinely needs. However, permissions are not the cause of every crash.
To review them:
Open Settings.
Select Apps.
Choose the affected app.
Tap Permissions.
Review the permissions and allow only those appropriate for the app's function.
For example, an app that records audio may need microphone access. A permission should not be granted automatically just because an app requests it.
If you change a permission, reopen the app and test the specific feature that was failing.
9. Reinstall the App Only If Necessary
If the previous steps don't work, reinstalling the app may help. However, uninstalling can remove information stored locally.
Before proceeding:
Check whether your information is synced to an account.
Back up important chats, notes, game progress, or downloaded files.
Make sure you know your login details.
Confirm that you can reinstall the app from its official source.
Then:
Open the app's page in the Google Play Store or its legitimate installation source.
Uninstall the app if you're comfortable with the possible data loss.
Restart your phone if necessary.
Install the app again.
Sign in and test it.
If the app contains important data that has not been backed up, contact the developer before uninstalling it.
10. Find Out Whether the Problem Affects Other Users
Sometimes the issue is caused by a bug in the app itself rather than your phone.
Check the app's official support page, developer announcements, or recent store reviews for similar reports.
If the problem started after a recent update and other users report the same issue, you may need to wait for the developer to release a fix.
When contacting support, include:
Your phone model.
Your Android version, if known.
The app's version.
What you were doing when it crashed.
Any error message displayed.
Never include passwords, verification codes, or private account information in a public support post.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Android apps keep closing automatically?
Possible causes include app bugs, outdated software, corrupted cache data, limited storage, compatibility problems, or temporary system issues. The cause depends on the app and device.
Will clearing the cache delete my photos?
Clearing an individual app's cache normally doesn't delete photos stored in your phone's gallery. However, apps differ, so confirm which app's cache you are clearing and avoid choosing Clear data or Clear storage accidentally.
Should I factory-reset my phone if apps keep crashing?
A factory reset should be a last resort. It erases data stored on the device and may not solve a bug affecting a particular app. Try the troubleshooting steps above and contact the app developer before considering a reset.
What if only one app keeps crashing?
Update that app, force-stop and reopen it, clear its cache, and check its official support information. If other apps work normally, the problem may be specific to that app.
What if all my apps keep crashing?
Restart your phone, check available storage, install appropriate system updates, and determine whether the issue began after a recent change. If the problem persists, contact your phone manufacturer's support service.
Can an Android app crash because the phone is old?
Yes, an older device may have compatibility or resource limitations that affect some apps. However, an older phone is not automatically the cause. Check the app's minimum requirements and whether it supports your Android version.
Final Thoughts
When Android apps keep crashing, start with simple steps: close and reopen the app, restart your phone, check for updates, clear the cache, and review available storage.
Avoid clearing app data, reinstalling an app, or resetting your phone until you've considered the risk to your information.
If the problem continues after these steps, the cause may be an app bug or a compatibility issue that requires help from the developer or device manufacturer.
For more Android help, explore DroidZuno's guides on freeing up storage and checking app permissions.
Settings and troubleshooting options vary by phone manufacturer, Android version, and app version.