Android App Keeps Crashing or Keeps Stopping? How to Fix It

An app on your Android phone keeps crashing — it closes itself, freezes, or pops up “[App] keeps stopping” every time you open it.

Why: Usually the app’s own cached data has become corrupted, the app is out of date, the system needs an update, or the phone is critically low on storage (problems start when less than 10% is free). These fixes go fastest-first; you rarely need the last one.

Settings paths vary by manufacturer (Samsung One UI, Pixel, etc.). The wording below follows Google’s generic Android docs.

Fix 1: Force stop and restart

Clears the app’s current state and gives it a clean start.

1. Open Settings > Apps (or Apps & notifications > See all apps).
2. Tap the misbehaving app > Force stop > confirm.
3. Reopen the app. If it still crashes, restart the phone: hold Power ~30 seconds (or Power > Restart), then try again.

Fix 2: Clear the app’s cache

A corrupted cache is the most common cause. Clearing it deletes nothing you’ll miss.

1. Settings > Apps > tap the app.
2. Tap Storage & cache (or Storage).
3. Tap Clear cache.
4. Reopen the app.

If it still crashes, on the same screen tap Clear storage / Clear data. This resets the app to a fresh install — you’ll lose in-app settings and may need to sign in again, so use it only if Clear cache didn’t work.

Fix 3: Update the app and Android

Old, buggy versions are a frequent cause — and the developer may have already shipped a fix.

1. Update the app: Open the Play Store > profile photo > Manage apps & devices > Updates available, and update the app (or Update all).
2. Update Android: Settings > System > Software update > System update (Samsung: Settings > Software update). Install anything offered and restart.

Fix 4: Reinstall the app

A clean reinstall replaces any corrupted program files.

1. Press and hold the app icon > Uninstall (or Settings > Apps > app > Uninstall).
2. Reopen the Play Store, search for the app, and tap Install.
3. Sign in again if asked.

Still crashing across many apps? Boot into Safe mode to test: press and hold Power, then touch and hold Power off until you see Reboot to safe mode > OK. Safe mode disables all downloaded apps. If crashes stop in Safe mode, a downloaded app is the cause — remove recently installed apps one at a time. Restart normally to leave Safe mode.

FAQ

Does clearing cache delete my login or saved data? No — Clear cache only removes temporary files. Clear storage / Clear data is the one that wipes the app and signs you out.

The app crashes the moment it opens, every time. Do Fix 2’s Clear storage, then update or reinstall (Fixes 3–4). If it still won’t open, the problem is the app itself — contact the developer.

Multiple apps crash at once. That points to the phone, not one app — update Android (Fix 3), free up storage if low, and use Safe mode to confirm whether a downloaded app is to blame.

Sources: Google Play Help — Fix an installed Android app that isn’t working