Why Do Some Apps Keep Crashing After An Update Troubleshooting Steps That Work

App updates are meant to improve performance, patch security flaws, and introduce new features. Yet, many users regularly face a frustrating paradox: after installing an update, the app suddenly starts crashing—sometimes repeatedly. This isn’t just inconvenient; it disrupts workflows, hinders communication, and erodes trust in software reliability. The good news is that most post-update crashes are not permanent or unsolvable. Understanding the root causes and applying targeted fixes can restore stability quickly.

Crashes occur when an app fails to execute its code properly, often due to conflicts between updated components and existing system resources. While developers test extensively before release, real-world device diversity—different hardware, OS versions, background processes, and user settings—means problems can slip through. The key lies in identifying whether the issue stems from your device, the app itself, or external interference—and then taking precise action.

Why Apps Crash After Updates: The Core Causes

Before diving into solutions, it’s essential to understand what typically triggers instability after an update. Knowing the \"why\" helps you diagnose more efficiently and avoid repeating mistakes.

• Incompatible Code: The updated app may include code optimized for newer operating systems. If your device runs an older version of iOS or Android, certain functions may fail, leading to immediate crashes.
• Bug-Ridden Releases: Despite testing, some updates ship with undiscovered bugs. These can manifest as memory leaks, faulty UI rendering, or failed data handling—all culminating in sudden closures.
• Corrupted Cache or Data: During an update, old cached files may conflict with new app architecture. If the app tries to load outdated temporary data, it can crash on startup.
• Insufficient Storage: App updates often increase file size. If your device is near full capacity, the installation might be incomplete or unstable, causing runtime failures.
• Conflicting Background Apps: Security tools, battery savers, or even other apps accessing shared resources (like location or camera) can interfere with the newly updated app’s operations.
• Permissions Reset: Some updates reset app permissions. If the app launches expecting access to photos, microphone, or storage but is denied, it may terminate unexpectedly.

“Even the most rigorously tested app update can behave unpredictably across thousands of device models and configurations. User-side troubleshooting remains a critical layer of resolution.” — Dr. Lena Torres, Mobile Software Engineer at OpenStack Labs

Troubleshooting Steps That Work: A Step-by-Step Guide

When an app crashes after an update, follow this logical sequence of actions. Start simple and escalate only if needed. Most issues resolve within the first few steps.

1. Force Close and Reopen the App
   Tap the app switcher, swipe the problematic app away, then relaunch it. This clears the current session and reloads the process fresh.
2. Restart Your Device
   A reboot clears RAM, resets system services, and resolves transient glitches. It’s surprising how often this single step fixes app instability.
3. Check for OS Updates
   Navigate to Settings > System > Software Update (Android) or Settings > General > Software Update (iOS). An outdated OS may lack support for new app features.
4. Update Other Apps
   Sometimes, companion apps (e.g., Google Play Services, iCloud, or Adobe Creative Cloud) need updating too. Outdated dependencies can destabilize updated apps.
5. Clear App Cache (Android)
   Go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Storage > Clear Cache. This removes temporary files without deleting account data.
6. Offload and Reinstall (iOS)
   In Settings > General > iPhone Storage, tap the app and choose “Offload App,” then reinstall. This preserves documents while replacing corrupted binaries.
7. Reinstall the App Completely
   Uninstall the app, restart the device, then download it fresh from the App Store or Google Play. This ensures a clean install without legacy conflicts.
8. Check Storage Space
   Ensure at least 1–2 GB of free space. Low storage impairs app performance and can cause crashes during resource-heavy operations.
9. Disable Battery Optimization (Android)
   Some devices aggressively kill background processes. Go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Battery > Unrestricted to allow full operation.
10. Test in Safe Mode (Android)
    Boot into Safe Mode to disable third-party apps. If the app works there, a background app is likely interfering.

Tip: After reinstalling, log in slowly—don’t rush through setup screens. Let each screen load fully to prevent initialization errors.

Advanced Fixes and Prevention Strategies

If standard troubleshooting fails, consider deeper interventions. These are especially useful for mission-critical apps like banking, productivity, or communication tools.

Check Server Status

Occasionally, the problem isn’t on your device at all. The app may rely on remote servers that are down or overloaded post-update. Visit sites like Downdetector.com or the developer’s status page to verify.

Roll Back to a Previous Version (Android Only)

While iOS doesn’t support downgrade via official channels, Android users can sideload an older APK from trusted sources like APKMirror. Only do this if:

• The current version is unusable
• You obtain the APK from a verified publisher
• You disable “Install Unknown Apps” immediately after

Note: Rolling back means missing security patches—use temporarily until a stable update arrives.

Reset App Preferences (Android)

This restores default settings for permissions, background data, and notifications without deleting app data. Go to Settings > System > Reset Options > Reset App Preferences.

Sign Out and Back In

Some crashes stem from corrupted session tokens. Logging out, restarting, and logging back in refreshes authentication and sync states.

Monitor for Patterns

Does the app crash only when opening a specific feature? During photo uploads? While using dark mode? Documenting these patterns helps isolate bugs and report them effectively.

Issue	Quick Fix	Long-Term Solution
App crashes on launch	Clear cache or reinstall	Wait for developer patch; monitor forums
Crashes during specific actions	Avoid triggering action; report bug	Use alternative workflow until fixed
Works in Safe Mode	Identify conflicting app	Update or uninstall the interfering app
Only crashes on Wi-Fi	Switch to mobile data	Check router firewall settings

Mini Case Study: Fixing WhatsApp Crashes Post-Update

Sarah, a small business owner, relied on WhatsApp Business to manage customer orders. After an automatic update, the app began crashing every time she tried to open media attachments. She couldn’t send invoices or product images—a serious disruption.

She started by force-closing the app and restarting her phone—no change. Next, she checked for OS updates; her Android was up to date. Clearing the cache helped briefly, but crashes resumed. She then offloaded and reinstalled WhatsApp. Upon restoring her chat backup, the app worked normally.

Further investigation revealed that the update had introduced a bug in how media thumbnails were rendered, conflicting with cached image previews from the previous version. A clean install resolved the mismatch. Sarah now manually checks major updates before installing and backs up data weekly.

Essential Checklist: Post-Crash Recovery Plan

Checklist: Follow these steps in order when an app crashes after an update:

1. Force close the app
2. Restart your device
3. Check for OS and app ecosystem updates
4. Clear app cache (Android) or offload (iOS)
5. Ensure sufficient storage space (1+ GB free)
6. Reinstall the app completely
7. Verify internet connection and server status
8. Report the issue to the developer with logs if possible

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a factory reset fix app crashes?

A factory reset will almost always stop app crashes caused by system-level corruption. However, it should be a last resort—back up all data first. Many users find that simply reinstalling apps after a reset prevents recurrence, suggesting deep cache or permission conflicts were to blame.

How do I report a crash to the developer?

Use the app’s built-in feedback tool if available. Otherwise, visit the app’s page on Google Play or the App Store and post a detailed review mentioning the issue. Developers monitor these closely. Include your device model, OS version, and steps to reproduce the crash.

Are beta updates more likely to crash?

Yes. Beta versions are pre-release builds meant for testing. They often contain unfinished features and known bugs. Unless you’re participating in a tester program, stick to stable releases from official stores.

Conclusion: Stability Is Within Reach

App crashes after updates are common, but they’re rarely permanent. With a methodical approach—starting with basic resets and progressing to clean reinstalls—you can resolve most issues in under 15 minutes. The key is patience and precision: don’t skip steps, and document what works. Over time, you’ll develop intuition for which fixes apply to which scenarios.

Equally important is knowing when to wait. If hundreds of others report the same crash, the fix likely requires a developer patch. In those cases, rolling back temporarily or using a web version keeps you productive while you await an official solution.

💬 Have an app that won’t stop crashing? Share your experience below. Your workaround might help someone else get back on track today.