Why Samsung Galaxy Apps Crash (and How to Stop It)

App crashes on a Samsung Galaxy device can be frustrating, disrupting your daily usage and productivity. This guide covers multiple troubleshooting methods to fix crashing apps and restore smooth performance.

1. Restart Your Device

A simple restart can resolve temporary system glitches that cause apps to crash.

Press and Hold the Power Button: Hold the power button until the power menu appears.
Tap Restart: Select “Restart” and wait for the device to reboot.
Check the Apps: Open the problematic app and see if it still crashes.

2. Update the Problematic App

An outdated app may have bugs or compatibility issues that cause crashes.

Open Google Play Store: Launch the Play Store app on your Samsung Galaxy.
Tap on Your Profile Icon: In the top-right corner, select your profile picture.
Go to Manage Apps & Device: Tap “Manage apps & device” and navigate to “Updates available.”
Find the App: Look for the crashing app in the update list.
Tap Update: If an update is available, tap “Update” and wait for the installation to complete.

3. Clear the App Cache and Data

Corrupted cache files can cause an app to crash, and clearing them can often fix the issue.

Open Settings: Go to the “Settings” menu on your device.
Select Apps: Scroll down and tap on “Apps.”
Find the Crashing App: Search for the app in the list and tap on it.
Go to Storage: Tap “Storage & cache.”
Clear Cache: Tap “Clear Cache” to remove temporary files.
Clear Data (If Needed): If the app still crashes, tap “Clear Data” to reset the app completely (this may erase app settings).

4. Check for Software Updates

Running an outdated system version can cause app compatibility issues, leading to crashes.

Open Settings: Navigate to the “Settings” menu.
Go to Software Update: Scroll down and tap “Software Update.”
Tap Download and Install: Let the device check for updates.
Install If Available: If an update is found, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
Restart Your Device: Once updated, restart your phone and test the app.

5. Uninstall and Reinstall the App

Reinstalling an app removes corrupted files and installs a fresh version.

Open Settings: Navigate to “Settings” and tap on “Apps.”
Find the Crashing App: Scroll through the list or use the search bar.
Tap Uninstall: Confirm the uninstallation.
Restart Your Device: A quick restart can clear residual files.
Reinstall the App: Open Google Play Store, search for the app, and reinstall it.

6. Disable Battery Optimization for the App

Samsung’s battery optimization can sometimes cause apps to crash by restricting background activity.

Open Settings: Navigate to “Settings” and select “Battery and Device Care.”
Tap Battery: Choose “Battery” from the menu.
Go to Background Usage Limits: Tap on “Background usage limits.”
Select the App: Find the crashing app and ensure it is not restricted.
Disable Battery Optimization: If necessary, add the app to the “Apps that won’t be put to sleep” list.

7. Check Storage Space

Low storage can cause apps to crash due to insufficient memory.

Open Settings: Navigate to “Settings” and select “Battery and Device Care.”
Tap Storage: Check the available space on your device.
Delete Unnecessary Files: Remove unused apps, old media files, and large downloads.
Use Samsung’s Storage Cleaner: Tap “Optimize now” to clear junk files and free up space.

8. Boot into Safe Mode

Safe Mode disables third-party apps, helping identify if a specific app is causing crashes.

Press and Hold the Power Button: Hold the power button until the power menu appears.
Tap and Hold Power Off: Continue holding until “Safe Mode” appears.
Select Safe Mode: Tap “Safe Mode” and wait for the device to restart.
Test the Apps: Open the problematic app and see if it crashes.
Exit Safe Mode: Restart your device normally to exit Safe Mode.

9. Reset App Preferences

Resetting app preferences restores default settings without deleting data.

Open Settings: Go to “Settings” on your Samsung Galaxy.
Tap on Apps: Select “Apps” from the list.
Tap the Three-Dot Menu: Located in the upper-right corner.
Select Reset App Preferences: Confirm the action when prompted.
Restart Your Device: After the reset, test the crashing app again.

10. Check for Malware or Corrupt Files

Malware or corrupted files can interfere with app performance, leading to crashes.

Open Settings: Navigate to “Settings” and select “Battery and Device Care.”
Tap Device Protection: Select “Device Protection” or “Security.”
Run a Full Scan: Tap “Scan Phone” to check for malware.
Remove Any Threats: If a threat is detected, follow the instructions to remove it.
Restart and Test: Restart your phone and check if the crashing issue is resolved.

11. Change the App’s Permissions

Incorrect app permissions may prevent apps from running properly, causing them to crash.

Open Settings: Navigate to “Settings” and tap “Apps.”
Find the Crashing App: Locate the app from the list.
Tap Permissions: Select “Permissions” and review what the app has access to.
Grant Necessary Permissions: Enable permissions such as storage, location, or camera if required.
Restart and Test: Close the app and reopen it to check if it works properly.

12. Disable Developer Options

Developer options can interfere with app performance if improperly configured.

Open Settings: Navigate to “Settings” on your Samsung Galaxy.
Go to Developer Options: Scroll down and tap on “Developer Options” (if enabled).
Disable Developer Options: Toggle the switch off to deactivate advanced settings.
Restart Your Device: Reboot your phone and check if the issue persists.