If apps on your Android phone keep crashing, closing by themselves, freezing as soon as you open them, or showing a “keeps stopping” message, the most important first step is figuring out whether one app is broken or several apps are failing.
That distinction changes the troubleshooting completely.
If only one app crashes, the problem is usually best handled at the app level: update it, force stop it, clear its cache, check its permissions, or reinstall it if necessary. If many unrelated apps suddenly start crashing, look instead at Android updates, available storage, Google Play system components, a recently installed app, or a broader phone problem.
Quick answer: Restart your phone, update the crashing app and Android, then test again. If only one app crashes, force stop it and clear its cache before clearing data or reinstalling it. If several apps keep crashing, check storage, system updates and Google Play system updates, then use Safe Mode to see whether another downloaded app is causing the problem.
First: Is One App Crashing or Several?
Do this before clearing caches or resetting anything.
| What You See | Where to Focus |
|---|---|
| Only one app keeps closing | That app's update, cache, permissions or data |
| One app crashes after a recent app update | App bug or compatibility problem |
| Several unrelated apps suddenly crash | Android/system update, storage or another downloaded app |
| Apps crash only after long use | Heat, memory pressure or app-specific problem |
| Apps work normally in Safe Mode | A downloaded app may be causing the conflict |
| Settings, launcher or system apps also crash | Broader Android/system problem |
| The entire phone freezes instead of one app | Phone-level freezing problem |
| The phone restarts by itself | Restart/crash problem rather than ordinary app crashing |
If you are seeing the specific “app keeps stopping” error for one application, our Android app keeps stopping guide focuses specifically on that error.
Restart Before Changing Anything
Start with a normal restart.
Google currently lists restarting the phone as the first step when an installed Android app is not working properly.
- Restart the phone normally.
- Wait for Android to finish loading.
- Open the affected app.
- Repeat the action that previously caused the crash.
Do not immediately install “RAM cleaner,” “phone booster,” or task-killer apps to fix crashes. First determine whether Android or the app itself actually has a problem.
See Google's official troubleshooting guide for Android apps that are not working.
Update the Crashing App
If the app still crashes after a restart, check whether an update is available.
- Open Google Play Store.
- Tap your profile picture.
- Open Manage apps & device.
- Install the update for the affected app if one is available.
If several apps are outdated, update them and restart the phone afterward.
Updates are especially important when an app begins crashing after Android itself has been updated, because the app developer may need to release a compatibility fix.
Using a beta version?
If the crashing app is enrolled in a beta program, consider whether the problem started after receiving a beta build.
Beta apps are intentionally pre-release software and can be less stable than normal public versions.
If the problem is isolated to a beta app, leaving the beta and installing the stable release may be more useful than changing phone-wide settings.
Force Stop an App That Keeps Crashing
If one specific app is frozen or repeatedly crashes when reopened, force stop it.
On many Android phones:
Settings > Apps > [App name] > Force stop
Then open the app again.
Google includes Force stop in its current troubleshooting process for malfunctioning Android apps.
The exact menu name can differ between Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, Motorola, OnePlus, Xiaomi and other Android devices.
Clear the App Cache
The next low-risk step for one misbehaving app is clearing its temporary cache.
On many Android phones:
Settings > Apps > [App name] > Storage & cache > Clear cache
Samsung may show:
Settings > Apps > [App name] > Storage > Clear cache
Then reopen the app and test it.
Clear cache and Clear storage are not the same thing.
Clearing cache removes temporary app files. Clearing storage or data resets the application's stored data and can sign you out or remove locally stored information.
For more detail, see our Android cache clearing guide.
Google also explains the difference between cached files and stored app data in its Android storage guide.
Check the App's Permissions
If the app crashes when you try to use a specific feature—such as the camera, microphone, contacts, location or photos—check whether the required permission has been denied.
Open:
Settings > Apps > [App name] > Permissions
Review the permissions rather than simply granting everything.
For example, a camera app failing specifically when taking a picture makes its camera permission relevant. A calculator crashing does not need access to your contacts just because you are troubleshooting it.
Google's current Android permission guide is available here.
Check Your Phone's Storage
If several apps behave badly, check how much internal storage is available.
Open:
Settings > Storage
If Android is warning that storage is low, free some space before doing deeper troubleshooting.
Remove things you genuinely do not need, such as:
- Old downloads.
- Offline videos.
- Unused apps.
- Duplicate or unnecessary large files.
Do not rely on an arbitrary rule such as “you must always keep exactly 10% free.” What matters is whether your device is actually running low on usable storage or showing storage warnings.
Google provides current storage-management options in its Android storage guide.
Update Android and Google Play System Software
If more than one app is crashing, make sure the phone itself is current.
Check the Android update
On current Google Android guidance:
Settings > System > Software updates
Menu wording can vary by manufacturer.
Install any Android or security update that is available for your device.
Google's current Android update guide also explains how to check your Android security update and Google Play system update status.
Check Google Play system updates
Some Android functionality used by apps is updated separately from the main operating-system update.
Samsung, for example, currently recommends checking the Google Play system update when apps continue crashing.
The location varies by Android version and manufacturer, so look for Google Play system update in Settings rather than following an outdated menu path from another phone model.
What to Do If Multiple Apps Keep Crashing
When several unrelated apps suddenly fail, repeatedly clearing each individual app's data is usually not the smartest first move.
Instead, work through the shared causes:
- Restart the phone.
- Update all affected apps.
- Install available Android updates.
- Check Google Play system updates.
- Check available storage.
- Think about what changed immediately before the problem started.
- Test the phone in Safe Mode.
Ask yourself:
- Did the problem start after installing a new app?
- Did it start after an Android update?
- Did several apps update at the same time?
- Is the phone nearly out of storage?
- Is the entire phone also freezing or restarting?
If the whole Android interface becomes unresponsive rather than individual apps, use our Android phone freezing troubleshooting guide.
Should You Update Android System WebView?
Android System WebView allows Android apps to display web-based content inside an app.
WebView has caused widespread Android app crashes in the past, so you will still find many troubleshooting guides telling everyone to “fix WebView” whenever an Android app crashes.
That should not be treated as the universal explanation for every crash.
However, if multiple apps that display web content begin crashing around the same time, it is reasonable to check Google Play Store for available updates to:
- Android System WebView.
- Google Chrome.
Install available normal updates and restart the phone.
Do not randomly disable WebView, uninstall system-component updates, or download replacement APK files from unknown websites.
If only one unrelated app is crashing, start with that app instead.
Use Safe Mode to Find a Problem App
Safe Mode is particularly useful when several apps or parts of the phone started malfunctioning after you installed something new.
Google explains that Safe Mode temporarily disables downloaded apps. If the problem disappears in Safe Mode, a downloaded app is likely involved.
Because entering Safe Mode differs between Android manufacturers, use the instructions for your exact device.
Google provides a general Android Safe Mode troubleshooting guide.
If the crashes stop in Safe Mode
Restart normally and remove recently installed apps one at a time, starting with apps installed shortly before the crashes began.
Pay particular attention to apps that make major system-level changes, such as:
- Third-party launchers.
- Device cleaners.
- Battery-management tools.
- VPN or filtering apps.
- Accessibility-based automation tools.
- Apps installed from outside your normal app store.
If the crashes continue in Safe Mode
A downloaded third-party app becomes less likely to be the cause. Continue with Android updates, storage checks and manufacturer troubleshooting.
Apps Started Crashing After an Update
The timing can give you an important clue.
After one app updated
If only that app started crashing immediately after its own update, the new app version may contain a bug or compatibility problem.
Check Google Play for another update and review whether the app developer has acknowledged the issue.
If other apps work normally, contact that app's developer instead of factory-resetting your phone.
After an Android update
If multiple apps started crashing immediately after a system update:
- Restart the phone once more after the update.
- Update all apps.
- Check for another Android or Google Play system update.
- Check whether only particular apps are affected.
App developers sometimes need to update their apps for changes in newer Android software.
After joining a beta
If you are running a beta version of Android or a beta version of the affected app, instability is more plausible.
Check the relevant beta program information before resetting stable system settings.
Check Whether the Phone Is Overheating
If apps work normally when the phone is cool but begin freezing or closing after gaming, navigation, video recording or other demanding activity, check the device temperature.
Let the phone cool naturally and test the same app again.
If the phone itself regularly becomes unusually hot, troubleshoot that separately with our Android phone overheating guide.
Do not use a refrigerator or freezer to cool an overheated phone.
When to Clear App Data
Clearing app data is much more disruptive than clearing cache.
Use it only after the safer steps have failed and only when you understand what the affected app stores locally.
On many phones:
Settings > Apps > [App name] > Storage & cache > Clear storage
or:
Settings > Apps > [App name] > Storage > Clear data
Warning: This can remove locally stored app information, settings and login state.
Samsung's current app troubleshooting documentation specifically warns users to back up important information before clearing an app's data.
For apps that store important local content—messaging apps, authenticator apps, games or editing apps—verify how their backup and restore system works before proceeding.
When to Reinstall the App
If one app still crashes after updating, force stopping and clearing its cache, reinstalling can give you a clean app installation.
Before uninstalling:
- Make sure important app data is synced or backed up.
- Make sure you know your login information.
- Check whether the app stores drafts or files only on the phone.
Then uninstall the app and reinstall it from its trusted app store.
Google warns that uninstalling an app removes data that the app saved locally.
If the app still crashes after a clean reinstall while every other app works correctly, the app developer is usually the next appropriate place to report the problem.
What If Settings or System Apps Are Crashing?
Take the problem more seriously when crashes are no longer limited to downloaded apps.
Examples include:
- Settings repeatedly crashes.
- The launcher keeps stopping.
- System UI repeatedly stops responding.
- Several built-in apps fail at the same time.
- The entire phone becomes unstable.
First:
- Restart the phone.
- Install available Android updates.
- Check Google Play system updates.
- Free storage if Android reports low space.
- Test Safe Mode where possible.
If the problem specifically involves the Android interface, see our System UI isn't responding troubleshooting guide.
If the phone repeatedly reboots rather than simply closing apps, treat that as a different problem rather than an ordinary app crash.
Should You Factory Reset the Phone?
A factory reset should be near the end of troubleshooting—not the standard solution for an app that keeps closing.
Do not factory reset the phone when:
- Only one third-party app is crashing.
- The app developer has an acknowledged bug.
- The problem only occurs in a beta app.
- You have not yet tried Safe Mode for a system-wide problem.
A factory reset becomes more reasonable when:
- Many apps and system functions remain unstable.
- The problem continues in Safe Mode.
- Android and Play system software are current.
- You have already followed your device manufacturer's troubleshooting process.
Back up important data before resetting the device.
Also remember that a factory reset cannot repair a bug inside an app. Samsung explicitly notes that if an app itself requires a future update, resetting the phone is not a permanent solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my Android apps keep crashing?
Possible causes include a bug in one app, corrupted temporary data, an outdated app, missing permissions, low storage, Android or Google Play system software that needs updating, another downloaded app causing conflicts, or a broader system problem.
Why do apps close immediately after I open them?
If only one app closes immediately, restart the phone, update that app, force stop it and clear its cache. If many unrelated apps suddenly close on launch, check Android updates, storage, Play system updates and Safe Mode.
Why are multiple Android apps crashing at the same time?
When several unrelated apps fail together, look for something they share: a recent Android update, low storage, system-component updates or another downloaded app. Do not clear every app's data before checking the system-level cause.
Should I clear cache when an Android app keeps crashing?
Yes, clearing the affected app's cache is a reasonable low-risk troubleshooting step. It is different from clearing app storage or data.
Will clearing cache delete my account or photos?
Clearing an app's cache removes temporary cached files. Clearing storage or data is the more disruptive option that can reset locally stored app information.
Will clearing app data fix crashes?
It can help if the app's stored data is damaged, but it should come after safer steps because it resets the app's local data and may sign you out.
Does Android System WebView cause app crashes?
WebView has caused widespread crashes in the past and can be relevant when several web-content-based apps fail together. However, it should not be treated as the cause of every Android app crash. Install normal WebView and Chrome updates when available rather than changing system components unnecessarily.
Why do apps keep crashing after an Android update?
An app may need its own compatibility update after Android changes. Update all affected apps, restart the phone and check for additional Android or Google Play system updates.
Can low phone storage make apps crash?
Very low storage can interfere with normal app and phone operation. If Android shows a storage warning or you have very little free space, free storage before trying more destructive troubleshooting.
Can app permissions cause crashes?
An app may malfunction when a feature it needs cannot access an appropriate permission, especially if the app does not handle the denied permission correctly. Check only permissions relevant to what the app is trying to do.
What does Safe Mode tell me?
Safe Mode temporarily disables downloaded apps. If the problem disappears there, a downloaded app is likely involved. If the problem remains, continue investigating Android, storage or device-level causes.
Should I uninstall recently installed apps?
If several problems began immediately after installing a new app and the phone works normally in Safe Mode, uninstalling recent apps one at a time is a sensible way to identify the conflict.
Should I use a RAM cleaner if apps keep crashing?
Do not make third-party memory cleaners your first troubleshooting step. Restart the phone and determine whether the problem is one app, several apps, storage, updates or another downloaded application.
Why does only one app keep crashing?
If every other app works, focus on that specific application. Update it, force stop it, clear its cache, check permissions and reinstall it if necessary. If it still fails, contact the developer.
Why does my whole Android phone freeze instead of just an app?
That is broader than a normal app crash. If the interface itself stops responding, troubleshoot the phone's freezing or system stability rather than repeatedly resetting individual apps.
Do I need to factory reset Android because apps keep crashing?
Usually not. A factory reset should be reserved for persistent device-wide instability after updates, storage checks, Safe Mode and manufacturer troubleshooting have failed.
Final Thoughts
If Android apps keep crashing, do not start by resetting everything on your phone.
First determine whether one app is failing or several unrelated apps are crashing.
For one app, start with a restart, app update, force stop and cache clear. Check relevant permissions and only move to clearing data or reinstalling after protecting anything important stored locally.
When multiple apps are crashing, shift your attention to Android updates, Google Play system updates, available storage and Safe Mode. Safe Mode is particularly valuable because it can show whether another downloaded app is responsible.
And if only one app continues to crash after a clean reinstall while the rest of the phone works normally, stop changing system settings and check with that app's developer instead.