The error message “Unfortunately, Messages has stopped” on your Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus is more than just an app issue because it actually prevents you from using some of the most basic services of your device such as text messaging. And that includes both SMS and MMS messaging. The error, on the other hand, means that the default texting app has crashed for some reason. It could be just an issue with the app or a much serious problem with the firmware since Messages is a pre-installed app.
In this post, I will walk you through in troubleshooting your Galaxy S9 Plus with Messages app that keeps crashing. We will try to determine the reason why it’s happening and try to find a way to fix it. This isn’t the first time we encountered this kind of problem so we already know a thing or two that could help you in fixing it. That’s what I want to share with you here so if you’re one of the owners of the Galaxy S9 Plus and are currently bugged by a similar problem, continue reading as this post may help you one way or another.
Before going further, if you found this post because you were trying to find a solution to your problem, then try to visit our Galaxy S9 Plus troubleshooting page as we’ve already addressed most of the commonly reported issues with the phone. We’ve already provided solutions to some of the problems reported by our readers so try to find issues that are similar with yours and use the solutions we suggested. If they don’t work for you and if you need further assistance, fill up our Android issues questionnaire and hit submit.
How to get rid of the “Messages has stopped” error on Galaxy S9 Plus
First off, this problem is often a minor one and based on experience, you can fix it on your own without any help from a technician. However, if this issues started after you’ve rooted or installed a custom ROM, then I suggest you flash the stock firmware back to your phone to fix it. But assuming that this problem started without apparent reason, then here’s what you should do about it:
First solution: Reboot your phone
Just before you begin troubleshooting your device, try to reboot it first because there are cases wherein issues like this are caused by simple glitches in either the system or the app. Hit that power key and restart your phone and then try to open the app to know if the error still shows up. You may also try to do the Forced Restart procedure which is more effective than the normal reboot. It will refresh your phone’s memory and reloads all apps, services and core functions. To do this, press and hold the volume down and power keys together for 10 seconds or more.
If the error continues to show after this, then move on to the next solution.
Second solution: Find out if it’s caused by a third-party app
For this, you need to reboot your phone in safe mode to temporarily disable all third-party apps and services. If the error doesn’t show up in this mode, then it’s clear that the problem is caused by one of the apps you installed. Find that app and uninstall it but first, here’s how you run your device in safe mode:
- Turn the device off.
- Press and hold the Power key past the model name screen appearing on the screen.
- When SAMSUNG appears on the screen, release the Power key.
- Immediately after releasing the Power key, press and hold the Volume down key.
- Continue to hold the Volume down key until the device finishes restarting.
- When Safe mode appears in the bottom left corner of the screen, release the Volume down key.
Open the app once you’re in this mode. It will still work as it is pre-installed on your phone and if the error doesn’t show up anymore, find the app that’s causing the problem and uninstall it. Here’s how…
- From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
- Tap Settings > Apps.
- Tap the desired application in the default list.
- To display preinstalled apps, tap Menu > Show system apps.
- Tap UNINSTALL > OK.
On the other hand, if the problem still occurs even in safe mode, then you have to move on to the next solution.
Third solution: Reset Messages
This is one of the most effective solutions when it comes to app-related problems. There’s a possibility that the problem is limited to the Messages app only so you have to do this especially if the error is still showing up in safe mode. Don’t worry, none of your files will be deleted except your messages so if there’s a way for you to make a backup, then do that before you follow these steps:
- From a Home screen, touch and swipe up or down to display all apps.
- From a Home screen, navigate: Settings > Apps.
- Tap App Manager.
- Locate then tap Messages.
- Tap Storage.
- Tap CLEAR CACHE.
- Tap Cached data.
- Tap CLEAR.
- Reboot your phone to refresh its memory.
After this and the error still shows up, try the next solution.
Fourth solution: Wipe cache partition
This method deletes all the temporary files created by the system which could have been corrupted for some reason. You don’t have access to each cache that’s why you have to delete all of them at once and this is how you do that:
- Turn off the device.
- Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
- When the Android logo displays, release all three keys.
- An ‘Installing system update’ message will show for 30 – 60 seconds before the Android system recovery menu options appear.
- Press the Volume down key several times to highlight wipe cache partition.
- Press Power key to select.
- Press the Volume down key to highlight yes, them and press the Power key to select.
- When the wipe cache partition is complete, Reboot system now is highlighted.
- Press the Power key to restart the device.
If the app still crashes after this, then you will have to do the Master Reset to fix it because clearly now, it’s a firmware issue although it’s still a minor one.
Fifth solution: Do the Master Reset
This is the ultimate solution to any app-related problems however, make sure you backup your files and data before you do it. Also, if you don’t know your google account or its password, it’s better to remove your google account from your phone so that you won’t be locked out after the reset. After which, follow these steps:
- Turn off the device.
- Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
- 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).
- Press the Volume down key several times to highlight ‘wipe data / factory reset’.
- Press Power button to select.
- Press the Volume down key until ‘Yes — delete all user data’ is highlighted.
- Press Power button to select and start the master reset.
- When the master reset is complete, ‘Reboot system now’ is highlighted.
- Press the Power key to restart the device.
I hope we’ve been able to help you with this article. If you have other problems you want us to help you with, then feel free to contact us or leave a comment below.
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