If your apps keep freezing, crashing, shutting down automatically, or refusing to open, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common phone issues and is usually caused by corrupted files, outdated apps, low storage, slow performance, or software bugs. Whether you use Android or iPhone, this complete guide will help you fix app crashes step-by-step.
1. Restart Your Phone
Before diving into advanced steps, restart your device. This clears temporary files and resets background processes that may be causing apps to crash.
- Hold the power button
- Select “Restart”
If the app works after restarting, the problem was temporary.
2. Update the App to the Latest Version
Outdated apps often crash because they are incompatible with the latest system updates.
On Android:
- Open Google Play Store
- Search the app
- Tap “Update”
On iPhone:
- Open App Store
- Search the app
- Tap “Update”
Developers fix bugs regularly, so keeping apps updated is essential.
3. Clear App Cache (Android Only)
App cache stores temporary data. Too much of it can cause crashes.
- Settings → Apps → Select the app
- Tap “Storage”
- Tap “Clear Cache”
This will not delete your data—only temporary files.
4. Clear App Data (Use Only if Necessary)
If clearing the cache didn’t help, clearing app data resets the app completely.
- Settings → Apps → App Name
- Storage → Clear Data
Warning: This will log you out of the app and remove saved settings, but it often fixes stubborn crashes.
5. Free Up Storage Space
Low storage is one of the biggest causes of app crashes. Phones slow down and apps fail to run properly when storage is nearly full.
Free up space by:
- Deleting unused apps
- Removing duplicate photos
- Clearing downloads
- Deleting old videos
Try to keep at least 20% free storage for smooth performance.
6. Update Your Phone’s Software
Apps may crash if your phone is running outdated system software.
- Settings → System → Software Update
System updates include performance fixes, security improvements, and bug patches.
7. Check Your Internet Connection
Some apps—especially social networks and games—crash when the internet connection is unstable.
Try this:
- Switch between WiFi and mobile data
- Restart your router
- Move closer to the WiFi source
- Turn Airplane mode on and off
If the app works with a better connection, the issue was network-related.
8. Force Stop and Reopen the App
Sometimes the app may freeze in the background.
Android:
- Settings → Apps → App Name
- Tap “Force Stop”
Then try opening it again.
9. Reinstall the App Completely
If the app files are corrupted, reinstalling fixes the issue instantly.
- Uninstall the app
- Restart your phone
- Install the app again
This replaces broken files with fresh ones.
10. Disable Battery Optimization for the App
Some apps crash because your phone restricts background activity to save battery.
Android:
- Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization
- Select the crashing app
- Set to “Not Optimized”
This is especially important for messaging apps, music apps, and social media.
11. Check for App Permissions
If the app doesn’t have the right permissions, it may crash when trying to access blocked features.
Permissions to enable:
- Storage
- Camera
- Microphone
- Location
Go to Settings → Apps → App Name → Permissions.
12. Log Out and Log Back In
Some apps crash due to authentication issues. Logging out resets your session.
Do this:
- Open the app
- Log out
- Restart phone
- Log back in
13. Check If the App Is Down
Sometimes, the app itself is having server issues.
Search for:
- “Is WhatsApp down?”
- “Instagram not working”
If the app is experiencing outages, all users will have issues until servers recover.
14. Reset All Settings (No Data Loss)
Resetting all settings can fix deep software issues without deleting personal files.
iPhone:
- Settings → General → Reset → Reset All Settings
Android:
- Settings → System → Reset Options → Reset All Settings
This restores system controls, network settings, and permissions but keeps your photos and apps safe.
15. Factory Reset (Last Option)
If nothing works, your system may be corrupted. A factory reset restores your phone to original performance.
Before doing this:
- Backup your data
- Save photos and contacts
- Remember your Google/Apple credentials
Reset Steps:
- Settings → System → Reset → Factory Reset
This solves 99% of app-related crashes, but should be the final step.
Final Thoughts
Apps freeze or crash for many different reasons—corrupted files, low storage, outdated software, or too many background processes. By following the steps in this guide, you can quickly identify the cause and restore your apps to full functionality. If the issue continues, the app itself may have a bug, and updating or reinstalling is the best fix.
With proper maintenance, regular updates, and enough free space, your phone’s apps will run smoothly and reliably without constant crashing.