Samsung Galaxy S8 keeps showing “Unfortunately, Drive has stopped” error [Troubleshooting Guide]

One of the built-in apps your Samsung Galaxy S8 must have is the Google Drive. It’s actually a client for Google’s cloud service and everyone who has a Google account automatically gets free 15GB of storage in the cloud. The S8 was made available last month so it’s really disappointing when it’s already showing some problems and errors. Some of our readers contacted about the error message “Unfortunately, Drive has stopped,” which basically notifies the owner that the app has crashed for some reason.

 

According to our readers, the error shows up when they tried to open Drive. Meaning, the trigger of the error is the app that’s also crashing. It may be just a minor problem with the app but when it comes to built-in apps crashing, it might also have something to do with the firmware and the error itself might just be a sign that something in the background isn’t working right. We have to troubleshoot your phone to know more about this error message and whether or not something more serious is happening with your new phone. So, if you own this device and are currently getting this error, then continue reading below as this post may be able to help you.

But before anything else, if you’re currently experiencing different issues with your phone, then I suggest you visit our Samsung Galaxy S8 troubleshooting page for we’ve already started providing support to our readers who own this device. We understand your phone is still brand new and it should work perfectly without a hitch but not even Samsung can guarantee there won’t be any problems. What we do here is provide help to our readers the best we can so if we haven’t published posts about your concern, feel free to contact us by filling up our Android issues questionnaire.

How to troubleshoot Galaxy S8 with “Drive has stopped” error

Apparently, it’s an app problem but we really don’t know as of now if it’s limited to the app or if it has something to do with the firmware considering the fact that Drive is a built-in app and deeply rooted into the operating system. Now, before we jump right into our troubleshooting, here’s one of the problems we received from our readers…

Problem: “Hi guys! Have you ever encountered an error “Unfortunately, Drive has stopped?” It just started yesterday when I tried opening Drive from my phone. I have some files from my Google Drive that I want to download into my phone but when I tried to open it, the error comes up. Have rebooted the phone many times but the error still won’t go away. I hope you guys can help me out with this one. Thanks in advance.”

Troubleshooting: It is imperative that we know if the error is triggered by an issue with the firmware or if it a problem with the app, so go through the steps below to try to fix this problem…

Step 1: Clear the cache and data of Google Drive

This procedure will reset the app and bring it back to its default settings. All caches and system files created by the firmware for the app will also be deleted. Your files, however, will remain untouched as they are saved in the cloud and the app is actually just a client. Meaning, whatever you do with it in your phone won’t affect your files. Here’s how you reset it…

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings > Apps.
3. Tap Drive in the default list or tap 3 dots icon > Show system apps to display pre-installed apps.
4. Tap Storage.
5. Tap Clear cache.
6. Tap Clear data and then tap OK.

After this, reboot your phone to refresh its memory and if the error would still pop up, then you must move on to the next step.

Step 2: Reboot your phone in safe mode and open Drive

Rebooting your phone in safe mode will temporarily disable all the apps you installed. So, if one or some of them is causing the Drive to crash, then the error shouldn’t show up while in this mode. In which case, you just have to find the app that’s causing it and uninstall it.

How to start Galaxy S8 in Safe mode

1. Turn the device off.
2. Press and hold the Power key past the model name screen.
3. When “SAMSUNG” appears on the screen, release the Power key.
4. Immediately after releasing the Power key, press and hold the Volume down key.
5. Continue to hold the Volume down key until the device finishes restarting.
6. Safe mode will display in the bottom left corner of the screen.
7. Release the Volume down key when you see Safe Mode.
8. Uninstall apps that are causing a problem.

How to uninstall an app from Galaxy S8

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings > Apps.
3. Tap the desired application in the default list or tap 3 dots icon > Show system apps to display pre-installed apps.
4. Tap the desired application.
5. Tap Uninstall.
6. Tap Uninstall again to confirm.

Step 3: Start your Galaxy S8 into Recovery mode and wipe cache partition

Let’s try to rule out all possibilities or exhaust everything we know that has a chance in resolving this problem. So, in this step, I will walk you through in deleting all system caches so that they will be replaced with new and fresh ones. You would only have to do this in case the error still shows up in Safe mode.

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
3. When the Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
4. Press the Volume down key several times to highlight “wipe cache partition.”
5. Press the Power key to select.
6. Press the Volume down key to highlight “yes” and press the Power key to select.
7. When the wipe cache partition is complete, “Reboot system now” is highlighted.
8. Press the Power key to restart the device.

Step 4: Backup your files and data, reset your Galaxy S8

If all else fails, you should consider resetting your phone and this must be your last hope in fixing the problem without any help from a tech. While we don’t guarantee the problem will be fixed by this, it is still necessary you do this to protect your privacy. So, take time to backup your important files and data, disable the Factory Reset Protection (FRP) and then proceed with the reset.

How to disable FRP on your Galaxy S8

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings > Cloud and accounts.
3. Tap Accounts.
4. Tap Google.
5. Tap on your Google ID email address if multiple accounts are setup. If you have multiple accounts setup, you will need to repeat these steps for each account.
6. Tap 3 dot icon.
7. Tap Remove account.
8. Tap REMOVE ACCOUNT.

How to Reset your Samsung Galaxy S8

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
3. 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).
4. Press the Volume down key several times to highlight “wipe data / factory reset.
5. Press Power button to select.
6. Press the Volume down key until ‘Yes — delete all user data’ is highlighted.
7. Press Power button to select and start the master reset.
8. When the master reset is complete, “Reboot system now” is highlighted.
9. Press the Power key to restart the device.

Alternatively, you can also reset your phone from the Settings menu…

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings > Cloud and accounts.
3. Tap Backup and restore.
4. If desired, tap Back up my data to move the slider to ON or OFF.
5. If desired, tap Restore to move the slider to ON or OFF.
6. Tap the back button to the Settings menu and tap General Management > Reset > Factory data reset.
7. Tap Reset.
8. If you have screen lock turned on, enter your credentials.
9. Tap Continue.
10. Tap Delete all.

Step 5: Bring your phone back to the store

If all the steps above failed to fix the problem, then you need a technician to take a look at your device to know why the built-in app is crashing and that the reset hasn’t fixed the problem. If it’s a firmware issue, the tech may try to manually re-install the firmware to replace possible corrupt or missing files. If the problem can’t be fixed, then you should receive a replacement.

Other related issues

Here are some of the complaints we received from our readers that are related to this problem…

Google Drive won’t open

Problem: Have you encountered a problem with the Google Drive wherein it doesn’t open when tapped? There are also times when the phone freezes for a few seconds and then the app opens but closes again. I have files in my Google Drive account that I want to download into my phone. Your help will surely be appreciated. Thank you!

Solution: There have been a few reports about the app not opening when tapped. While it may seem like a serious problem, it’s actually just a glitch. A reboot may fix it or if the phone freezes when its icon is tapped, you just have to press the Volume Down and Power buttons to force reboot your device. For app and firmware glitches, this procedure will fix them, however, if it persists after the forced reboot procedure, then you should reset the app itself by clearing its cache and data.

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings > Apps.
3. Tap Drive in the default list or tap 3 dots icon > Show system apps to display pre-installed apps.
4. Tap Storage.
5. Tap Clear cache.
6. Tap Clear data and then tap OK.

So far, this procedure is the most effective for this kind of problem but if, in any case, the problem persists after this, then you should reset your phone. Refer to the steps on how to reset your phone above.

Drive crashes followed by other apps

Problem: Hello droid guy. I just need to ask a question or two from you guys. I have a Galaxy S8, it’s a new phone and I’ve been enjoying it so far. Yesterday, however, I noticed the phone started to become slow but I didn’t mind it considering I am a heavy user–games and all. But anyways, I have a lot of files in my Google Drive account so I use my phone to access some of them. Yesterday, when I opened the Drive, it crashed. You know, the error Drive has stopped popped up. I thought that was all but I was wrong. Other apps also crashed. There were like 5 or 6 other apps that also crashed showing the same error messages. Do you want what’s the problem with my phone? Can I fix it? Thank you.

Troubleshooting: The error message alone isn’t enough to pinpoint what the problem really is as it might just be the result of the real problem. So, I want you to just boot your phone in safe mode to temporarily disable all third-party apps and continue using your phone to see if the errors would still pop up. It might have been just a coincidence that the Drive crashed first and other apps followed. Here’s how you boot your Galaxy S8 in safe mode:

1. Turn the device off.
2. Press and hold the Power key past the model name screen.
3. When “SAMSUNG” appears on the screen, release the Power key.
4. Immediately after releasing the Power key, press and hold the Volume down key.
5. Continue to hold the Volume down key until the device finishes restarting.
6. Safe mode will display in the bottom left corner of the screen.
7. Release the Volume down key when you see Safe Mode.
8. Uninstall apps that are causing a problem.

While the phone is in safe mode, try to open Drive or any of the apps that were crashing. If they still crash, then I suggest you backup your data and then reset your phone.

Files don’t appear in Google Drive

Problem: I have a question for you. I have files in Google Drive that I always open in my office computer since they’re work-related. My new Galaxy S8 however doesn’t show those files. I called Verizon store, talked to the technician who setup my phone and he said the phone was properly setup since I’m using it now but my files aren’t here. Can you help me find my files inside my Google Drive account?

Answer: I have a strong feeling the account used to setup your phone is different from the account you use in your computer. You see, all Google account users will have their own Google Drive space. If you log into your account, you can automatically see your personal files but you will see different files or none at all if you’re logged into a different account.

I am pretty sure you know you Google account credentials so I suggest you remove the account that’s currently setup on your phone and then add your own. Here’s how you remove it:

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings > Cloud and accounts.
3. Tap Accounts.
4. Select the account type you wish to delete. Tap on the account name or email address.
5. Tap the 3 dots icon.
6. Tap Remove account.
7. Tap REMOVE ACCOUNT to confirm.

And this is how you add your own account…

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings > Cloud and accounts.
3. Tap Accounts.
4. Tap + Add account.
5. Select the account type you wish to setup.
6. Enter your email address and password.
7. Edit incoming email configuration settings, as necessary.
8. Tap Next.
9. Edit outgoing email configuration settings, as necessary.
10. Tap Next.
11. Read the Google disclaimer and tap OK to accept.
12. Set the email check frequency, retrieval size, and notification options, as desired.
13. Tap Next.
14. Enter an account name (optional).
15. Tap Done.

I hope this helps.

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