Few things are more frustrating than tapping an app icon only for it to crash immediately. I’ve seen this happen during important tasks—emails disappearing mid-draft, banking apps freezing, or games closing unexpectedly. Most users assume the problem is the app itself, but in reality, crashes are usually caused by a combination of software issues, storage problems, or outdated settings.
The good news is that you can fix most app crashes yourself, without paying for technical support. By understanding why apps crash and following practical troubleshooting steps, you can keep your phone running smoothly and prevent interruptions to your daily routine.
1. Keep Apps and OS Updated
Outdated software is a major cause of app crashes.
How to Fix
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iPhone: App Store → Your Profile → Update All Apps → Settings → General → Software Update
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Android: Play Store → Profile → Manage Apps → Update All → Settings → System → Software Update
Why this works: Updates fix bugs, improve compatibility, and optimize performance, reducing the chance of unexpected crashes.
Pro Tip: Enable automatic updates for convenience.
2. Clear App Cache and Data
Cached data can become corrupted over time, leading to crashes.
How to Clear Cache
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Android: Settings → Apps → Select App → Storage → Clear Cache / Clear Data
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iPhone: iOS doesn’t allow full cache clearing, but reinstalling the app achieves the same effect
Why this helps: Removing corrupted files forces the app to rebuild fresh data.
Common mistake: Deleting the app without backing up important information can cause data loss.
3. Free Up Storage Space
Low storage can prevent apps from running properly.
How to Fix
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Delete unnecessary files, photos, or videos
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Move media to cloud storage or SD cards (Android)
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Check storage in Settings → General → iPhone Storage / Android Storage
Real-world tip: Keep at least 10–15% of your storage free to allow apps to function smoothly.
4. Restart Your Phone Regularly
A simple restart can resolve temporary glitches that cause apps to crash.
How to Restart
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iPhone: Press and hold Power + Volume button → Slide to Power Off → Turn back on
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Android: Press and hold Power button → Restart
Why it works: Restarting clears temporary files and frees RAM, which can prevent background conflicts.
5. Check for App Compatibility
Some apps may not fully support the latest OS version.
How to Check
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Review the app’s description in the App Store or Play Store for compatibility notes
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Contact the developer if crashes occur after a system update
Tip: Avoid beta or unofficial app versions, which are prone to instability.
6. Disable Background Apps and Features
Too many apps running simultaneously can overload system resources.
How to Manage
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iPhone: Swipe up and close unused apps
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Android: Settings → Apps → Running apps → Stop unnecessary apps
Why this helps: Freeing RAM allows the active app to run without interference.
7. Reset Network or System Settings
Some crashes are caused by conflicting network or system configurations.
How to Reset
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iPhone: Settings → General → Reset → Reset All Settings
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Android: Settings → System → Reset Options → Reset App Preferences / Reset Network Settings
Caution: Resetting all settings restores defaults but preserves personal data.
8. Reinstall the App
If all else fails, reinstalling the app often solves persistent crashes.
How to Reinstall
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Delete the app from your device
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Restart your phone
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Download and install the latest version from the official app store
Real-world tip: Backup app data (if possible) before reinstalling to avoid losing important information.
Expertise & Trust: Best Practices
From experience, the most reliable way to prevent app crashes is to maintain your phone regularly. Keep software and apps updated, monitor storage, and manage background tasks. Avoid unofficial apps or beta versions unless you’re willing to tolerate occasional instability. Simple preventive measures often eliminate most crashes without needing professional support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do apps crash after an OS update?
New OS versions can create compatibility issues. Updating the app or reinstalling usually resolves the problem.
Will restarting my phone delete data?
No, restarting only clears temporary files and frees memory—it does not affect personal data.
Can low RAM cause frequent crashes?
Yes, especially on older devices with limited memory. Closing background apps helps.
Should I contact the app developer if it keeps crashing?
Yes. Developers may provide updates, patches, or guidance specific to the app.
Does reinstalling fix all app crashes?
It fixes crashes caused by corrupted data or outdated installations but not hardware-related problems.
Conclusion
Unexpected app crashes can disrupt your productivity, but most problems are easy to solve. By keeping apps and OS updated, clearing cache, freeing storage, managing background apps, and occasionally reinstalling troublesome apps, you can prevent crashes and improve overall device stability.
Regular maintenance and awareness of system resources go a long way toward smooth, uninterrupted smartphone use. Following these steps ensures your apps run reliably, saving time, frustration, and the need for professional intervention.