In the vast expanse of the Google Play Store, where millions of apps reside, developers continuously roll out updates aimed at enhancing user experience and addressing bugs. For those who have navigated the Android landscape for years, it often becomes evident that app crashes frequently stem from problematic updates rather than hardware issues. Thus, when an app begins to misbehave, a visit to the Play Store should be one of the first steps in troubleshooting.
To initiate this process, simply tap on your profile picture located in the top-right corner, select Manage apps and device, and under the Updates available section, check for any new versions of the app in question. If no updates are pending, further investigation into the app’s settings is warranted.
There are two primary methods to access the app’s settings. You can either long-press the app’s icon on your home screen or app drawer and tap the small “i” icon to reach the App info page, or navigate through Settings > Apps to find it in the list of installed applications. Depending on your Android version, these options may bear slightly different labels.
Once in the App info settings, tap on Storage & cache and select Clear cache. After that, return to the previous menu, tap on Force stop, and attempt to relaunch the app. Clearing the cache eliminates temporary files that may have become corrupted, a feature Android has offered for years to enhance app performance.
Clear the app’s data
If clearing the cache and force stopping the app does not resolve the issue, consider fully uninstalling the app and reinstalling it from the Play Store. However, this method comes with the caveat of losing any locally stored data, including credentials and preferences. If the app supports cloud synchronization, you’ll only need to log back in after reinstallation. Before proceeding with uninstallation, ensure that cloud backup is enabled to safeguard your data.
Alternatively, you can opt to clear the app’s data directly from the App info page by tapping on Clear data. This option saves you the trouble of downloading the app again. Nevertheless, if you have access to a reliable internet connection, reinstalling the app from the Play Store may provide a more comprehensive solution for persistent crashes.
Occasionally, a simple restart of your device can work wonders for various issues. Most Android phones can be force restarted by holding down the power button until the screen goes dark and the logo reappears. Some models may require you to press either the volume up or down buttons in conjunction with the power button.
It’s also prudent to check for any available updates for your phone itself. Keeping your device’s software up to date not only introduces new features but also ensures that you benefit from the latest bug fixes and security patches, some of which may resolve system-level issues contributing to app crashes. To check for updates, navigate to Settings > System > Software update and install any pending updates.
Install an older version of the app
One of the appealing aspects of the Android operating system is its flexibility in allowing users to sideload applications. Despite Google tightening security measures around this process, it remains feasible to install apps from sources outside the Play Store. For newer Android versions, enabling developer mode is the first step, which can be done by navigating to Settings > About Phone and tapping on Build Number seven times. Following this, a restart will be required as a security precaution, after which you can allow installations from unknown sources.
Once this is set up, you can download an older, stable version of the troublesome app. A trusted source for this is APKMirror, where you can find the installation file. After removing the problematic app from your device, install the older version using the APK file accessed through your file manager. Be aware that some apps utilizing split APKs may necessitate the use of the APKMirror Installer app.
This solution serves as a temporary fix until the app developer releases an update that rectifies the underlying issue. When that occurs, you will need to uninstall the older version and reinstall the app from the Play Store to ensure you receive future updates seamlessly.
If navigating through these steps feels cumbersome, consider using the app’s web version via your browser as a stopgap. Many popular apps offer web versions that are reasonably optimized for mobile browsers. You can even enable notifications for supported websites and pin them to your home screen for easier access.
