If you are experiencing an issue where an app continues to close or crash on your iPhone, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take to try and resolve the problem.
Quick Fixes
Here are some quick things to try first:
- Force quit the app – Double click the Home button and swipe up on the app preview to force quit it.
- Restart your iPhone – Hold down the Power button and slide to turn off. Wait 30 seconds, then turn your iPhone back on.
- Check for app updates – Open the App Store, tap Updates and install any pending updates for the app.
- Free up storage space – Delete large files, offload unused apps, and manage your iCloud storage to free up space on your iPhone.
Determine If It’s the App or Your iPhone
To help narrow down the cause, you’ll want to figure out if the issue is with the app itself or a problem with your iPhone.
Try this:
- Test the app on another iPhone – Borrow someone else’s iPhone and try opening the app. If it crashes on their device too, then it’s an issue with the app.
- Reinstall the app – Delete the app and reinstall it from the App Store. This will replace any corrupted files.
- Check if other apps are crashing – If multiple apps are force closing, then it could be a wider issue with your iPhone.
Troubleshoot Issues With the App
If you’ve determined the app is the problem, here are steps to troubleshoot the app itself:
- Update the app – Make sure you have installed the latest version of the app.
- Delete and reinstall the app – Removing and reinstalling the app can clear any corrupted files.
- Check app permissions – Make sure the app has proper permissions enabled to access data, location, etc.
- Delete app data/cache – In Settings, delete any stored app data and caches.
- Contact the developer – Check the app developer’s website and contact them about the issue.
Troubleshoot Issues With Your iPhone
If the issue seems to be with your iPhone, try these steps:
- Restart your iPhone – Power your device off completely and then back on.
- Free up storage space – Delete unnecessary files and offload unused apps to free up disk space.
- Check for iOS updates – Install the latest iOS software update from Settings.
- Reset your iPhone – Erase your device and restore from a backup to clear any deeper issues. Back up your data first.
- Restore your iPhone – A clean install of iOS can help resolve persistent software issues.
Other Potential Causes
Here are some other things that could potentially cause apps to crash on your iPhone:
- Jailbreaking – Jailbreaking your iPhone can cause instability with apps.
- VPN app – A faulty VPN app can cause conflicts with other apps.
- Too many apps – Having too many apps open or installed may create resource issues.
- Outdated device – Older iPhones with slower processors can struggle with newer apps.
- Too many widgets – Too many app widgets on the Home Screen could slow down your device.
When to Contact Apple Support
If you still can’t resolve an app that keeps crashing after trying all troubleshooting steps, it’s time to contact Apple Support:
- Get help from Apple Support online or by phone.
- Schedule an appointment at an Apple Store for in-person support.
- Ask Apple Support to run diagnostics tests on your iPhone.
- Factory reset your iPhone again, then set it up as new without a backup.
Apple Support can help investigate deeper issues with your iPhone, app compatibility, iOS performance, and help back up or restore your device if needed.
Prevent Apps From Crashing
Here are some tips to help prevent apps from crashing on your iPhone:
- Keep your iPhone and apps updated to the latest versions.
- Close out apps you aren’t using to free up RAM.
- Disable unnecessary app notifications.
- Delete apps you no longer need.
- Monitor your available storage space.
- Use offload unused apps instead of deleting them.
- Turn your iPhone off completely once a week.
Best Practices for Apps
Here are some good habits for managing your apps and avoiding crashes:
- Download apps only from the official App Store.
- Read app reviews and ratings before downloading.
- Check app file size and compatibility before installing.
- Grant apps the minimum permissions necessary.
- Monitor battery and data usage for suspicious activity.
- Keep apps updated through the App Store.
- Back up your apps and data using iCloud or iTunes.
Key Takeaways
Here are some key tips to remember:
- Force quit and restart the app.
- Check if the issue occurs in multiple apps.
- Update iOS software and the app.
- Delete and reinstall the app.
- Free up storage space on your iPhone.
- Reset iPhone settings or restore from a backup.
- Contact Apple Support if issue persists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my iPhone app keep crashing?
Common reasons an iPhone app keeps crashing include corrupted files, outdated app or iOS version, insufficient device storage, excessive app data usage, or underlying issues with your iPhone.
How can I fix an iPhone app that won’t open?
To fix an iPhone app that won’t open, try force quitting and restarting the app, updating iOS and the app, deleting and reinstalling the app, clearing app data and caches, or restarting your iPhone.
Why does my iPhone crash when I open apps?
If your iPhone crashes when opening apps, it could be caused by outdated software, storage limitations, excessive app usage, or hardware problems with your iPhone’s processor, RAM or battery.
How do I stop apps from freezing on my iPhone?
To prevent app freezing, keep your iPhone and apps updated, free up storage space, disable unnecessary features like animated wallpapers, reduce notifications, close unused apps, and restart your device periodically.
What does it mean when an iPhone app crashes?
When an iPhone app crashes, it means the app has encountered a fatal error and is forced to quit unexpectedly. This is typically caused by a software bug, glitch, insufficient resources, or an incompatible device profile.
Summary
Having apps crash on your iPhone can be frustrating, but in most cases it can be resolved with some troubleshooting. Start by updating iOS and the app, deleting and reinstalling the app, freeing up storage space, restarting your device, and contacting Apple Support if needed. Following best practices like keeping your iPhone and apps updated, closing unused apps, monitoring storage space, and backing up data can help minimize app crashes going forward.