How to fix Galaxy S9 Plus when Spotify app keeps crashing, Android Auto incompatible with BMW cars

Hello and welcome to yet another #GalaxyS9 and #GalaxyS9Plus troubleshooting page. Today’s episode will answer 4 common issues about these Samsung devices and how to fix them. Our main case is about Spotify app crashing issue so we hope you’ll get some useful tips here.

Problem #1: How to fix Galaxy S9 Plus when Spotify app keeps crashing

When I open Spotify, it’ll stay open for 3 seconds before it crashes and a message appears in my screen that says “spotify keeps stopping”. I’ve tried restarting my phone, deleting and installing the app again, and nothing has worked. Just yesterday I got the premium deal (the one that’s $.99 for 3 months), I don’t know if this could have anything to do with it. — Elizabeth Diosdado

Solution: Hi Elizabeth.  Without the full history of your device, fixing this issue requires trial-and-error troubleshooting. This is needed in order to identify where the issue lies. Since you’ve already tried some potential solutions, these are the remaining steps that you can do:

Install Android and app updates

Bugs can develop because of outdated systems so the next good thing that you can do in this case is to ensure that Android and all other apps are running their latest version. To do that, you must manually check for updates for both the operating system (Android) and all your apps.

By default, your S9 Plus device is set to automatically download and install Android updates. This is also true for Play Store app, which is your gateway to getting apps and updates. If you changed this default behavior, make sure that you manually check for updates every now and then.

To check for possible Android update:

  1. Open Settings app.
  2. Tap Software update.
  3. Tap Download updates manually. Selecting this option will force the phone to check if there’s any available software update at this time.

If you can’t find the steps above, that means the current firmware build on your device may be set to automatically download and install apps. This is often the case for carrier-branded devices. For these devices, updates are usually made available only by their carriers and there’s no way to control when they’ll be installed. In general, this is a good way for carriers to securing devices on their networks and ensuring that no device will be left alone of the latest Android version.

To check for app updates:

  1. Open Google Play Store app.
  2. Tap More settings at the upper right.
  3. Tap My apps & games.
  4. Allow Play Store to check for app updates.
  5. Tap UPDATE ALL button.

If you are adventurous when it comes to apps and like to get some from outside the Play Store, it’s your responsibility to keep such apps fully up-to-date and compatible with Android.

Uninstall Spotify app updates

This may seem to run counter to what we just said above but sometimes, uninstalling the latest update of an app may be an effective way to fix an issue. If Spotify began crashing coincidentally right after you installed an update for it, bringing it back to its previous state may work. To do that, follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings app.
  2. Tap Apps.
  3. Tap More settings at the upper right (three-dot icon).
  4. Tap Show system apps.
  5. Find Spotify and tap it.
  6. Tap Storage.
  7. Tap CLEAR DATA.

Verify Spotify account is working

Apps that work with subscription schemes sometimes crash when there’s an issue with the account it’s tied to. To check if there’s on-going problem with your Spotify account, try access Spotify using a web browser on your phone or your computer.

Clear network settings

Spotify app may not work properly if there’s intermittent connection issue going on, or if your device has some network issues. Try clearing out your S9’s network settings to see if that will work. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open Settings app.
  2. Tap General management.
  3. Tap Reset.
  4. Tap Reset network settings.
  5. Tap RESET SETTINGS button.
  6. Restart your S8 and check for the problem.

Factory reset

As your final option,factory reset should fix any software bug that’s probably interfering with your Spotify app. Factory reset won’t affect the situation if the cause of the problem is deep within the app’s coding itself though but it’s still a highly recommended action. To factory reset your S9 Plus:

  1. Make a backup of your personal data.
  2. Turn off the device.
  3. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
  4. When the green Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
  5. Press the Volume down key several times to highlight ‘wipe data / factory reset’.
  6. Press Power button to select.
  7. Press the Volume down key until ‘Yes — delete all user data’ is highlighted.
  8. Press Power button to select and start the master reset.
  9. When the master reset is complete, ‘Reboot system now’ is highlighted.
  10. Press the Power key to restart the device.

Contact the app developer

If the issue is still there even after wiping the phone, the problem is most probably app-specific. Make sure to report the problem by using the app’s support page

Problem #2: Galaxy S9 Plus Android Auto app won’t work with BMW 2018 cars

AndroidAuto does not work with my car’s system. A check of the compatibility status of the app on Google does not list my 2018 E-class as compatible.  Only the 2017 and other models like the 2018 C and S class are. As demonstrated to me, some Android phones do work on 2018 E Class. One Google expert says that, “It’s 100% Mercedes fault.” The app installs on my phone and pairs with the car on Bluetooth.  Plugging into the car’s USB 0, the installation of my phone’s address book, recent calls and text is completed. At that point, the installation stops and there might have been an error message but it flashes so fast, no one can read it. My phone’s USB setting is MTP. — G Betourne

Solution: Hi G Betourne. BMW does not support or appears to fully support AndroidAuto in its products based on this article. This is most probably because the company is trying to develop its own Bluetooth and wireless connectivity with its cars. We don’t know yet if there are upcoming changes to the way BMW’s business model when it comes to supporting Android but right now, you’re out of luck.

Problem #3: Galaxy S9 Plus sends low quality images on Whatsapp

I recently bought my Samsung Galaxy S9+ unlocked version. When i start to use it i can find that all the images that i send using Whatsapp lost a lot of quality. Even when i make a smart capture of a document and send it it´s impossible to read it. I´ve using other way to send files, choosing the option send document. This way works but it´s to slow and complicated. Before SG9+ i had a SG7edge terminal, that one works perfectly wiht whatsapp and i never had problems wiht the quality of images. Galaxy 9+ should be the best terminal in the market right now, but Im having this bad experience and i can’t understand how this is possible whit an expensive terminal used for work. I really need to hear that you are working on it and i’ll can solve this ASAP. BR; GPM. — Gplasenciam

Solution: Hi Gplasenciam. Like any social media apps or messaging platforms, Whatsapp compresses files when transmitted via its messaging system. This is true whether you’re using an Android device or an iOS device. Images and videos are usually compressed to one third of their original file size to save space and makes transmission faster. We know this can be an annoying feature for such a popular service but it’s been there for a long time. Unfortunately, the workarounds are, as you say, inefficient at best and there’s no way to change that in the foreseeable future. Unless Whatsapp will make a major overhaul and their technology can allow the same or more efficient transfer or messages without compressing file quality, there really is nothing much that you can do about this concern at all.

Problem #4: Galaxy S9 Gallery app not working

I have a Samsung Galaxy S9.  At some point I cleared out a bunch of pictures and apps that I no longer use.  I must’ve cleared something I needed because after that, every time I open my Gallery app, while looking through pictures I get an error message that says, “WithTv keeps stopping  close app X”. It pauses my scrolling through pictures or right before taking a photo. I’m not sure what this means. I’ve tried turning my phone off and starting it back. I’ve cleared the data and cache in the Galary app, but nothing has changed it.  Is there a restore point on a phone as it is on a computer? Please help! Thanks! — Connie Collins

Solution: Hi Connie. Try resetting your phone’s app preferences to see if that will help. This potential solution will basically re-enable possibly disabled apps and services that Gallery app needs in order to work properly. We don’t know exactly what you did that might have caused this issue but it’s the only way apart from factory reset that you can try in this case. If resetting app preferences won’t help, we’re afraid the next best thing that you can do is to wipe the phone and return all software settings back to normal via factory reset.

To reset app preferences:

  1. Open Settings app.
  2. Tap Apps.
  3. Tap More settings at the upper right (three-dot icon).
  4. Tap Reset app preferences.
  5. Restart your device and check for the bug.

 


TheDroidGuy Mailbag

🛠️If you have questions, check our Help section for details on how to submit your questions.💡


Posts You Might Like

Leave a Comment