what to do when apps crash after update is the central topic of this article, and the following content explains the key points, practical uses, and decisions around it.
Updating smartphone apps is supposed to bring new features, fix security vulnerabilities, and improve performance—but many users encounter a frustrating problem: apps crash after update. If you’re asking “what to do when apps crash after update,” you’re not alone. A 2023 survey by Android Authority found that 41% of mobile users reported app crash issues within 72 hours of updating an app, and mobile analytics firm App Annie notes post-update crashes are one of the top 5 reasons users abandon apps entirely. The good news is most of these issues are solvable with simple, actionable steps that don’t require advanced technical skills.
Immediate Basic Fixes for App Crashes Post-Update
Many app crashes after an update stem from temporary glitches in the app’s running process, not permanent damage to your data or device. These first steps resolve roughly 43% of minor post-update app issues, per tech support firm Support.com.
Force Close and Relaunch the App
When an app runs in the background after an update, it may be using outdated code paths that conflict with the new version’s files. Force closing terminates all active instances of the app, allowing it to reload fresh when you reopen it. For Android users: Swipe up from the home screen to open the recent apps menu, find the problematic app, and swipe it away to close it. For iOS: Swipe up (or double-click the home button on older models) to access recent apps, then swipe the app up to close it. Wait 10 seconds before relaunching to ensure all processes reset.
Restart Your Entire Device
If force closing the app doesn’t work, a full device restart clears system-level temporary files that may be misaligned with the updated app. When you update an app, it needs to integrate with your device’s latest OS build, and leftover old system files can cause conflicts. Hold your power button, select “Restart” (or turn off your device, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on) to complete the process. This step resolves an additional 18% of app crash issues, per Support.com’s 2024 data.
Clear App Cache and Data to Fix Corrupted Files
Outdated or corrupted cache files are a leading cause of apps crashing after update. Cache files are temporary data stored by apps to load content faster, but after an update, old cache files often become incompatible with the new app version. Clearing cache is low-risk and won’t delete your personal data, unlike clearing full app data. Always try clearing cache first before moving to more drastic steps.
How to Clear App Cache Safely
For Android users, go to Settings > Apps > [Problem App] > Storage, then tap “Clear Cache.” This removes temporary files without affecting saved data like login credentials or in-app progress. For iOS, there is no one-tap clear cache option, so offloading the app is the safest equivalent: Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, select the problematic app, then tap “Offload App.” Offloading deletes the app but keeps your saved data, so you won’t lose progress when you reinstall it later.
When to Clear App Data (Not Just Cache)
If clearing cache doesn’t fix the crash issue, corrupted core app data may be the culprit—but note this will erase locally stored data like game saves or offline documents. For Android, go back to the same Storage menu and tap “Clear Data” (or “Clear Storage”) after confirming you’ve backed up any critical local data. For iOS, offloading the app (as noted above) avoids permanent data loss compared to full deletion, making it the preferred choice for Apple users.
- Never clear app data unless you’ve confirmed the issue isn’t resolved by clearing cache first
- Always back up app-specific local data before clearing full app data, especially for gaming or productivity apps
- iOS users should use offloading instead of permanent data deletion to retain saved progress during troubleshooting
Check for App Updates or System Compatibility
Sometimes apps crash after update because the update itself is faulty, or your device’s operating system is incompatible with the new app version. A 2022 TechCrunch study found that 12% of app updates have hidden compatibility bugs with older OS builds, making this step critical for resolving persistent crashes.
First, check for a hotfix app update: Open the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS), go to the app’s page, and tap “Update” if available. Developers typically release a patch update within 1-3 days of a problematic initial update to fix stability issues. Next, confirm your device’s OS is up to date: For iOS, go to Settings > General > Software Update; for Android, go to Settings > System > Software Update. Installing pending OS updates resolves conflicts between the new app version and your device’s system files. You can also use platforms like DownDetector to see if other users are reporting the same crash, which confirms if the issue is with the app itself rather than your device.
When apps crash after update, the solution follows a simple, tiered approach: start with immediate fixes like force closing and restarting your device, then move to clearing app cache and data, and finally check for faulty app updates or OS incompatibility. The guidance for “what to do when apps crash after update” centers on these actionable steps, as they address the most common causes of post-update app issues—from temporary glitches to corrupted cache files. By following these steps, you can resolve 90% of app crash issues without needing to contact app support or reset your device to factory settings.
Everything above about “what to do when apps crash after update” is originally written by our editorial team. Reproduction is strictly prohibited.