Why Do My Apps Keep Crashing? How to Solve iPhone App Crashing Issues in iOS 14

Do iPhone apps keep crashing on you? From the easiest and most practical solutions to a little more time-consuming but necessary updates, our guide helps you figure out what to do when iPhone apps keep crashing. We’ve put together a series of solutions to fix app crashing issues and prevent them from happening in future. Follow the steps below and, with any luck, your iPhone apps will run smoothly once again.

Related: How to Quickly Update All Your Apps at Once on Your iPhone 

What’s in This Article:

Apps Keep Crashing? Restart Your iPhone

When apps keep crashing on your iPhone, one of the easiest ways to fix the problem is by restarting your iPhone. This can help clear active processes that may be interfering with app function so that when you start your iPhone back up again, the apps are working. It's the simplest option to try, so it's the best place to start. 

iPhone Life
Discover your iPhone's hidden features
Get a daily tip (with screenshots and clear instructions) so you can master your iPhone in just one minute a day.

iPhone Apps Keep Crashing? Update to the Latest iOS

Checking your iOS software is a good way to resolve app crashing issues on your iPhone. Here are the steps to make sure that you are running the latest version of iOS:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Scroll down and tap on General.

    Open the Settings appTap on General
     
  3. Tap on Software Update.
  4. You will either see a message telling you which software version you have and that it's up to date, or you'll see an available update. If you have an update available, go ahead and update your device.

    Tap on Software UpdateSee whether your current version is up to date

Remember that you’ll need to connect to Wi-Fi and plug in your iPhone to complete the update.

If Apps Keep Crashing, Close Them in the App Switcher

Closing apps in the switcher reloads them and often fixes the crashing problem. Go through your App Switcher and close out the affected apps (or close everything out if you want to start fresh), and then open the app in question again to see if it will function properly. Here's how:

  1. On an iPhone with a Home button, double click the Home button to see the pages of open apps.
  2. On an iPhone without a Home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold briefly, then release to open the App Switcher.
  3. Look through the open apps to find the one you want to close.
  4. Swipe up on the app to close it.

    Open the App SwitcherSwipe up on an app in the App Switcher to close it

Why Do My Apps Keep Crashing? Update Your Apps

To keep apps from crashing, it's best to keep them updated. To check for app updates:

  1. Open the App Store app.
  2. Tap your profile in the upper-right corner.

    Open the App Store appTap on your profile in the upper-right corner
  3. Scroll down to check your pending updates.
  4. Tap Update to the right of the app name or tap Update All to bring all of your current apps up to date on your device.

    Tap on Update to update an individual appTap on Update All to update all apps

Delete and Reinstall Apps That Keep Crashing

If other solutions don’t work, deleting the app and reinstalling it can also stop the app from crashing. Just keep in mind that deleting apps could cause loss of data for apps that aren’t account-based like Facebook or Google.

 To Delete an App That Was Crashing:

  1. Press and hold the app icon.
  2. Tap Remove App.

    Press and hold app to delete itTap Remove App
     
  3. Tap Delete App.
  4. On the next menu tap Delete.

    Tap Delete appTap Delete

 To Reinstall an App That Was Crashing:

  1. Open the App Store app.
  2. Tap the Search icon in the bottom-right corner.

    Open the App Store appTap the search icon in the lower-right corner
     
  3. Tap into the search bar and type the name of the app you need to reinstall, then tap Search.

    Tap into the search bar, enter the name of the app, and tap Search
     
  4. Tap the iCloud icon next to the app to reinstall it.
  5.  When download is complete, tap the Open button if you'd like to open the app.

    Tap on the iCloud icon to reinstall the appTap Open to open the app.

Hopefully these tips have resolved your problems with apps crashing. Now you can enjoy uninterrupted use of your iPhone apps without worrying about losing your place in a book, being interrupted in the middle of a bank transaction, or having your game progress lost.

Master your iPhone in one minute a day: Sign up here to get our FREE Tip of the Day delivered right to your inbox.

Topics

Author Details

Erin MacPherson's picture

Author Details

Erin MacPherson

Erin is a Web Editor for iPhone Life and has been a writer, editor, and researcher for many years. She has a degree in communication with an emphasis on psychology and communication, and has spent many of her professional years as a coach in various business and specialty fields. Erin officially joined the ranks of iPhone and Apple users everywhere around nine years ago, and has since enjoyed the unique and customized feel of Apple technology and its many gadgets. When she’s not working, Erin and her son enjoy outdoor adventures, camping, and spending time with their eclectic collection of pets.