Force stop the app, restart your phone, and install any app and system updates, which together fix most crashes. If an Android app keeps closing, clear its cache and then its data, or uninstall and reinstall it. On an iPhone, force close, restart, update, then delete and redownload the app.
The first fixes Google lists for Android apps
Google’s own help page for an installed Android app that is not working starts with the simple steps, and they solve more crashes than people expect.
- Restart the phone. Google says to press the Power button and keep holding it for about 30 seconds until it restarts, and on some phones you then tap Restart.
- Check for an Android update in Settings, usually under System, then System update. Menu names vary by phone maker.
- Update the app. Open the Play Store, tap your profile icon, choose Manage apps and devices, and update the problem app or all of them.
- Force stop the app from its page in Settings, then open it again.
A crash that started right after an update often gets fixed in the next one, so updating twice over a few days is normal.
Clearing cache versus clearing data on Android
Both options live on the app’s storage page in Settings, but they do very different things.
| Action | What it removes | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Force stop | Nothing; it closes the app completely | First response to a frozen or looping app |
| Clear cache | Temporary files the app saved to load faster | App crashes on launch or after an update; the cache builds up again over time |
| Clear data (Clear storage) | Everything stored locally, including sign-ins, settings and offline downloads | Cache clearing did not help; expect to sign in again |
| Uninstall and reinstall | The app and its local data | Last step before contacting the developer |
Google’s page also covers uninstalling, which starts by touching and holding the app icon, then reinstalling from the Play Store. Anything synced to an account, such as email or cloud photos, normally comes back after you sign in, but offline files and unsynced notes may not.
Fixing a crashing app on an iPhone or iPad
Apple’s support guidance follows a similar order. Force the app to close by swiping it away in the app switcher, then open it again. If it still quits, restart the iPhone or iPad. Next, open the App Store, tap your profile icon and check for app updates, and if none are waiting, update iOS or iPadOS in Settings.
The last home remedy is deleting the app and downloading it again. Apple warns that you might lose data stored in the app, so check whether the app backs up to an account or iCloud before you delete it. It also helps to open the app’s App Store page and confirm under Compatibility that it still supports your iOS version, since older phones eventually fall off the list.
Clues that the phone is the problem, not the app
When several unrelated apps crash in the same day, look at the device. Nearly full storage leaves apps without room for temporary files, so check free space in Settings and clear old videos or unused apps. Google also suggests re-syncing the phone with its servers by turning off automatic date and time, then turning it back on, since a wrong clock can break sign-ins and downloads. A system update waiting to install is another common culprit.
When a crash is the developer’s to fix
Some crashes come from bugs only the app maker can fix. Recent reviews in the Play Store or App Store often reveal whether other people hit the same problem after the latest version. Both stores list a developer contact on the app’s page, and a short report with your phone model and system version helps them find the bug. Note what you were doing when it crashed and whether it happens every time, because that detail shortens the back and forth. On iPhone, Apple notes you can request a refund for a recently purchased app that does not work.
Frequently asked questions
Why do my apps keep closing by themselves?
The most common reasons are an outdated app or system, corrupted temporary files, very low storage, or a bug in the latest app version. Restart the phone, install updates, clear the app's cache, and free up space. If only one app is affected after all that, contact its developer through the app store listing.
Does clearing cache delete my data on Android?
No. Clearing cache removes only temporary files the app saved to load faster, so your sign-ins and settings stay. Clearing data, sometimes labeled Clear storage, is different and resets the app to a fresh install. Try clearing the cache first and move on to data only if crashes continue.
Will a factory reset stop apps from crashing?
It can, but it erases everything on the phone and should come last, after updates, cache clearing and reinstalling have failed. Back up photos, messages and accounts first. If crashes continue even after a reset, contact the phone maker or your carrier, since the problem may be hardware.
