Apps keep crashing, freezing or "keep stopping"

One crashing app is a problem with that app. Many crashing apps is a problem with storage, a system component or an update.

What you seeUnfortunately, App has stopped / App keeps stopping: App info, Close app / the app closes as soon as it opens

If one app crashes

Work down this list and test after each step.

1. Close it fully and reopen. Swipe up from the bottom and hold to see recent apps, then swipe the app away.
2. Restart the phone.
3. Update the app. Android: Play Store › your picture › Manage apps and device. iPhone: App Store › your picture, pull down to refresh, Update. Crashes are often fixed within days of being introduced.
4. Update the system. A new app version may need a newer system.
5. Check storage. Apps crash when they cannot save. Keep at least 1 to 2 GB free. See storage full.
6. Check the connection. Some apps close when they cannot reach their server. Try Wi-Fi and mobile data in turn.
7. Clear the app's cache (Android): Settings › Apps › the app › Storage & cache › Clear cache. Nothing is lost.
8. Force stop (Android): same screen › Force stop, then open the app.
9. Clear storage / reinstall. Android: Clear storage resets the app to new. iPhone: delete the app and install it again. You will need to sign in again, and data kept only inside the app is lost, so check that it is backed up or tied to an account first. For WhatsApp, back up chats before this step. See clear cache and app data.
10. Check permissions. An app refused a permission it needs (camera, storage, location) may close. Settings › Apps › the app › Permissions.
11. Is the service down? If the app fails for other people too, the fault is at the company's end. Wait.

If many apps crash at once (Android)

Many Android apps display web content through one shared system component, Android System WebView. When it or Chrome has a bad update, dozens of unrelated apps start closing.

1. Play Store › search Android System WebView › Update. Do the same for Google Chrome.
2. If no update is offered and the trouble began today: Settings › Apps › (three dots › Show system) › Android System WebView › three dots › Uninstall updates. Reopen your apps. Update again a day later.
3. Update Google Play services in the same way, and restart.
4. Check that the date and time are correct: Settings › System › Date & time › Set time automatically.

If many apps crash on any phone

• Storage is full. See storage full.
• A system update is half-installed, or the phone needs a restart to finish one.
• The phone is overheating. See phone overheating.
• An app with special powers is interfering: a "cleaner", battery saver, VPN, ad blocker or screen overlay. On Android, start in Safe Mode: if everything is stable there, uninstall such apps.
• iPhone: Settings › General › Transfer or Reset iPhone › Reset › Reset All Settings (keeps your data).
• Last resort: back up and factory reset.

An app that will not open after an update

• Wait a day; a fixed version usually follows quickly.
• The update may have dropped support for your system version. The app's store page lists the version it requires.
• Do not install an older version from an unofficial website. Files from such sites are a common route for malware. See our sister site's page on APK file scams.

A game that crashes

Games crash when memory or storage is short or the phone is hot. Close other apps, free several gigabytes, lower the graphics settings, remove the case and let the phone cool, and update the game.

Reporting the crash

Developers fix what they hear about. On Android, the crash dialog has "Send feedback"; on both systems the app's store page has a support contact. Say what phone and system version you have and what you were doing when it closed.

For Android phones and iPhones. Written in November 2026 for Android 13 to 15 and iOS 17 and 18. Phone makers rename menus; use the search box in Settings if a name differs. Back up before any reset. This is an independent guide, not connected with Google, Apple, Samsung or any phone maker or operator.