Android Apps Keep Crashing? Here’s Why and What to Do
If your Android apps keep crashing, freezing, closing on their own, or refusing to open, the cause is usually an outdated app, temporary app data, low storage, an Android software issue, or a conflict caused by another downloaded app. The fastest way to find the right fix is to check whether one app is affected or several apps are crashing.
First: Is It One App or Several Apps?
This is the most useful first test.
If only one app keeps closing, freezing, or refusing to open, the problem is more likely specific to that app.
If several unrelated apps are crashing, the problem may be wider, involving Android, storage, a recent update, or another downloaded app.
That difference can save you a lot of unnecessary troubleshooting.
If Only One App Keeps Crashing
If only one app keeps closing, freezing, or refusing to open while your other apps work normally, the problem is more likely to be specific to that app.
Start with these checks before changing anything on your phone.
Update the App
Open the Google Play Store and check for an available update.
Go to:
Play Store → Profile picture → Manage apps & device
Then install any update available for the affected app.
An outdated version can cause crashes or compatibility problems, especially after an Android or app update.
If the app starts working normally after the update, you may have found the cause.
Check the Internet Connection
If the app depends on an internet connection, test Wi-Fi and mobile data in another online app.
If other online apps also fail, the problem may be your connection rather than the crashing app.
If everything else works normally, continue troubleshooting the affected app.
Force Stop the App
If the app is already up to date, force stop it.
Depending on your phone, go to:
Settings → Apps → [App Name] → Force stop
Then open the app again.
Force stopping can clear a temporary state that is preventing the app from working correctly.
If it works again but starts crashing later, continue to the next step instead of repeatedly force stopping it.
Clear the App Cache
If the app still crashes, try clearing its cache.
Usually:
Settings → Apps → [App Name] → Storage & cache → Clear cache
Cached data is temporary, so clearing it can help when an app becomes unstable or stops responding.
Be careful with Clear storage or Clear data. These options can remove information saved inside the app, so don’t use them as your first step.
Reinstall the App
If the app still won’t stay open, reinstalling it can give you a clean start.
Before uninstalling it, make sure important data is synced or backed up if the app stores information locally.
If the problem continues after reinstalling, the issue may be related to the app itself, its latest update, or a compatibility problem with your Android version.
If Several Android Apps Keep Crashing
If multiple unrelated apps are failing, don’t reinstall every app.
Start with the phone itself.
Restart Your Phone
A normal restart is worth trying when several apps suddenly begin crashing.
After the restart, test two or three affected apps.
If everything works again, it may have been a temporary system problem.
If the crashes continue, move on to storage and updates.
Check Your Available Storage
Open your phone’s Storage settings and check how much free space remains.
Google says an Android phone can start having problems when less than 10% of storage is free.
You don’t necessarily need to delete everything. Start with large downloads, videos, unused apps, or other files you no longer need.
Then restart the phone and test the affected apps again.
Update Android
Check:
Settings → System → Software update
The exact menu can vary by manufacturer.
An Android system update may contain bug fixes or compatibility improvements, so it’s worth checking before trying more drastic changes. Google includes checking for Android updates in its troubleshooting guidance for crashing devices.
When Many Apps Start Crashing at Once
If several unrelated apps suddenly start crashing at the same time, don’t assume that every app has a separate problem.
First, open the Google Play Store and check for updates to:
- Android System WebView
- Google Chrome
Google has previously documented a widespread Android app-crashing problem related to Android System WebView. In that case, updating WebView and Chrome helped resolve the issue.
This does not mean WebView is always the cause. However, when many unrelated apps start crashing together, checking these shared Android components is a useful diagnostic step before reinstalling multiple apps.
After updating them, restart your phone and test the affected apps again.
Did the Problem Start After Installing Another App?
This clue is easy to miss.
If the crashes started shortly after installing a new app, that app may be conflicting with something on the phone.
You don’t have to guess.
Test in Safe Mode
Android’s Safe Mode temporarily turns off downloaded apps.
If the problem disappears in Safe Mode, a downloaded app is likely contributing to the problem. Google recommends then removing recently installed apps one at a time and testing after each removal.
The exact way to enter Safe Mode varies by phone manufacturer.
This is one of the best tests when several apps are crashing and you don’t know which app is responsible.
When the Problem May Not Be Your Phone
Sometimes one app can be broken even when Android is working normally.
For example, if:
One app crashes → other apps work normally → Safe Mode doesn’t matter
the issue may be specific to that app or its latest update.
Google recommends contacting the app developer when a single app continues to have problems after the standard troubleshooting steps.
That is a better next step than repeatedly resetting your phone.
A Simple Way to Narrow It Down
Use this order:
One app crashing
→ Update it
→ Force stop it
→ Clear cache
→ Reinstall if necessary
Several apps crashing
→ Restart the phone
→ Check storage
→ Update Android
→ Test Safe Mode
Problem disappears in Safe Mode
→ A downloaded app is likely involved
Only one app remains broken
→ Check the app itself or contact its developer
This approach helps you avoid changing system settings when the problem is limited to one application.
Quick Diagnosis
| What you’re seeing | What to check first |
|---|---|
| One app keeps crashing | Update the app and force stop it |
| One app won’t open | Clear its cache |
| Several apps crash | Restart and check storage |
| Phone has very little free space | Free up storage |
| Crashes started after a new app | Test Safe Mode |
| Problem disappears in Safe Mode | A downloaded app is likely involved |
| Apps started failing after a system update | Check for another Android update |
| Only one app remains broken | Troubleshoot that app or contact its developer |
FAQ
Why do my apps keep crashing on Android?
Possible causes include outdated apps, corrupted temporary data, low storage, Android software issues, or conflicts caused by another downloaded app. The first question is whether one app or several apps are affected.
Why does one Android app keep stopping?
Start by updating the app, force stopping it, and clearing its cache. If it still crashes, reinstalling the app may help. Google recommends these steps for apps that aren’t working correctly.
Can low storage make Android apps crash?
It can contribute to broader device problems. Google says Android phones can start having issues when less than 10% of storage is free, so checking available space is worthwhile when multiple apps are crashing.
How do I find which app is causing Android to crash?
Try Safe Mode. Because downloaded apps are temporarily disabled there, a problem that disappears in Safe Mode points toward a downloaded app as the likely cause.
More Android Troubleshooting Guides
Having another Android or app-related problem? These troubleshooting guides may also help:
Final Thoughts
When Android apps keep crashing, don’t start by resetting the entire phone.
First ask:
Is it one app or several?
If one app is affected, start with the app itself. Update it, force stop it, clear its cache, and reinstall it if necessary.
If several apps are crashing, look at the phone: restart it, check storage, install available system updates, and use Safe Mode to see whether another downloaded app is causing the problem.
The goal is simple: find the smallest part of the phone that’s actually failing, then troubleshoot that part first.
