App crashes on Android are one of the most common problems that users encounter. The application may suddenly close, fail to launch, get stuck on the loading screen, or display errors like "The application has stopped". Most often, such failures are not associated with hardware failures, but are caused by software conflicts, lack of resources, or errors in the code of the applications themselves.

In this article we will analyze 10 main reasonswhy applications on Android are unstable, and we will give specific solutions for each of them. From simple lack of memory to conflicts with firmware, you will learn how to diagnose the problem and fix it without contacting a service center. We will pay special attention to cases when failures occur only with individual applications (for example, VKontakte, YouTube or banking apps) and when all applications begin to behave inappropriately.

If you have already tried rebooting your phone and it did not help, do not rush to reset the settings to factory settings. In 90% of cases, the problem can be solved using less radical methods.

1. Lack of random access memory (RAM)

Android actively uses RAM for multitasking. If RAM is full there is background activity of applications, the system begins to forcefully close tasks, which leads to crashes. This is especially noticeable on budget smartphones with 2–4 GB of RAM (for example, Redmi 9A, Samsung Galaxy A10 or Nokia 2.4).

How to check:

  • 📱 Open Settings → Device care → Memory (on Samsung) or Settings → Memory (on clean Android).
  • 📊 Look at the RAM usage graph. If less than 20% is free, this is a critical level.
  • 🔄 Pay attention to the applications that consume the most memory (for example, Facebook, Chrome or games like Genshin Impact).

Solutions:

  • ✅ Close unnecessary applications via task manager (swipe up on the multitasking screen).
  • ✅ Disable autorun for "gluttonous" apps in Settings → Applications → [name] → Autorun.
  • ✅ Use lite versions applications (for example, Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).
  • ✅ Install expanding RAM via virtual RAM (available on some devices Xiaomi, Realme, Oppo).
⚠️ Attention: If crashes continue after clearing the memory, check if the phone is infected Cryptocurrency miners —they can secretly consume RAM and CPU. Use an antivirus (for example, Malwarebytes) to scan.
📊 How often do you clear RAM on Android?
Daily
Once a week
Only when the phone slows down
Never

2. Conflicts with the cache and application data

Cache and temporary files speed up applications, but over time they can gets damaged or grow to gigantic proportions. This results in errors like "The application does not respond" or endless loading. For example, Google Play Market often crashes due to cached update data, and Instagram due to damaged media files.

How to clear the cache:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → [select the problematic application].
  2. Click Storage → Clear cache.
  3. If that doesn’t help, select Clear data (⚠️ this will delete all settings and inputs!).

For mass clearing:

  • 🧹 Use the built-in tools (for example, Settings → Storage → Clear to Xiaomi).
  • 🛠️ Install utilities like SD Maid or CCleaner (but be careful with the rights root!).

Clear the cache in the application settings

Reboot the phone

Check the application operation

Repeat clearing the data (if that doesn't help)

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Critical error: on some firmwares (for example, ColorOS from Oppo) clearing system application data may cause the launcher to crash. Before doing this, create a backup via Settings → System → Backup.

3. Outdated version of Android or application

If the application is has not been updated for a long time, it may conflict with the new version of Android (or vice versa - the old firmware does not support the latest APIs). For example, WhatsApp stopped working on Android 4.1, and Netflix requires at least Android 5.0 for HD content.

How check compatibility:

Application Minimum Android version Typical errors in case of incompatibility
WhatsApp Android 5.0+ Messages are not sent, "Connection is not secure" error
Google Maps Android 6.0+ Does not load cards, crashes when navigation
TikTok Android 7.0+ Videos do not play, “No network” error
Banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff) Android 8.0+ Authorization fails, certificate error

Solutions:

  • 🔄 Update the application via Google Play Store (or download the APK from the official website if the update is not available).
  • 📱 Update the firmware: Settings → System → Software update.
  • 🛠️ If a firmware update is not available, install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS) - but this requires unlocking the bootloader and may void the warranty.
⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Huawei after the 2019 sanctions), updates via Google Play may not work. Use AppGallery or manual installation of APK.

4. Permissions and security issues

Android strictly controls application access to contacts, storage, camera and geolocation. If permissions are reset (for example, after a system update) or an application requests incompatible rights (for example, access to SMS for a game), this causes crashes.

How to check permissions:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → [name] → Permissions.
  2. Make sure that all necessary permissions are enabled (for example, Google Photos need access to Storage i Camera).
  3. If the permission is disabled, but cannot be enabled, this may be firmware limitation (for example, on EMUI from Huawei).

Typical errors:

  • 🚫 «The application is denied access to contacts" - check permissions for Telegram, Viber.
  • 📍 «It is impossible to determine the location" - enable geodata for Google Maps, Yandex.Maps.
  • 🔒 «Insufficient rights to perform the operation" - may be required ADB command for manual provision of rights (for example, for Titanium Backup).
How to give permissions via ADB?

If the application asks for permission, but it is not in the settings, you can grant it manually through your computer:

1. Connect your phone via USB with debugging (Settings → For Developers → USB Debugging).

2. Enter the command:

adb shell pm grant com.example.app android.permission.READ_CONTACTS

Replace com.example.app with the application package, and READ_CONTACTS with the desired resolution.

5. Damaged file system or storage

If internal memory or SD card contain bad sectors, applications may not start or crash with the error "Cannot install/update". This is especially true for devices with eMMC memory (cheap smartphones Alcatel, ZTE), which degrades over time.

Signs of problems with storage:

  • 💾 Applications not installed ("Error -505", "Not enough space").
  • 📁 Files disappear or are damaged (for example, photos in Gallery).
  • 🐢 Phone slows down when recording a video or copying files.

How to check and fix:

  1. Connect your phone to the PC and run chkdsk (for Windows) or fsck (for Linux/Mac).
  2. In Android go to Settings → Storage → [click on drive] → Configure → Format (⚠️ will delete all data!).
  3. For SD card use the utility SD Card Formatter from SD Association.
💡

If the phone does not see the SD card, try formatting it in the file system exFAT instead FAT32 —this will solve the problem with files larger than 4 GB.

6. Conflicts with Google services (GMS)

Most applications depend on Google Play services (GMS), which are responsible for notifications, geolocation, authorization and updates. If GMS are outdated, damaged or disabled, this causes a chain reaction of failures. For example:

  • 📱 YouTube does not play videos (“Playback error”)
  • 🔄 Google Play Market does not load applications (“Error 927”)
  • 🔔 Notifications arrive with a delay or do not arrive at all.

How to fix:

  1. Update Google Play Services via Play Market.
  2. Clear cache and data: 
    Settings → Applications → Google Play Services → Storage → Clear cache/data
  3. If the error persists, remove GMS updates (button "Uninstall updates" in the application settings) and restart the phone.

Important: on devices without GMS (for example Huawei after 2019) many applications (including Gmail, Chrome, Uber) will not work without alternative services (Huawei Mobile Services).

7. Viruses, malware and unofficial firmware

If you installed applications from unknown sources (APK files), there is a risk of catching a virus or adware (intrusive advertising) is extremely high. Malware can:

  • 🦠 Replace system libraries, causing crashes.
  • 📴 Block operation of legitimate applications (for example, antiviruses).
  • 💸 Steal data or mine cryptocurrency in the background.

Signs of infection:

  • 🔋 Rapid battery drain (even in standby mode).
  • 📶 Unexplained mobile data traffic.
  • 🚨 The appearance of unfamiliar applications in the menu.

How to treat:

  1. Install an antivirus (Kaspersky, Bitdefender) and conduct a full scan.
  2. Remove suspicious applications in Settings → Applications.
  3. If the virus is embedded in the system files - reset the phone to factory settings or reflash it.
⚠️ Attention: Unofficial firmware (for example, from forums 4PDA) may contain backdoors. Install only verified assemblies from trusted developers.

8. Hardware problems: overheating, battery, memory modules

If all applications start to crash at the same time, the problem may lie in hardware:

  • 🔥 Overheat processor (for example, due to dried thermal paste or playing at maximum speed). battery Genshin Impact at maximum speed).
  • 🔋 Worn out battery (voltage below 3.5V causes sudden shutdowns).
  • 💾 Problems with flash memory (broken chips eMMC or UFS).

How to diagnose:

  • 🌡️ Install CPU Monitor or AIDA64 to check the temperature.
  • 🔋 Check the battery status via ##4636## (test menu) or application AccuBattery.
  • 🛠️ If the phone reboots spontaneously is a sign of problems with power or memory.

Solutions:

  • 🧊 Cool the phone (remove the case, avoid direct sunlight).
  • 🔄 Replace the battery (cost for Samsung A52 — ~1500–2500 ₽).
  • 💾 If the problem is in the memory, contact the service (repair eMMC is often impractical, it is cheaper to buy a new phone).
💡

If the phone turns off when charging or under load, this is 90% a problem with the battery or power controller. Do not delay diagnostics!

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about application crashes on Android

❓ Why does the application crash immediately after opening?

The most common reasons:

  • Damaged cache (cleaning via Settings → Applications).
  • Incompatibility with the Android version (check the requirements in Play Market).
  • Conflict with other applications (try safe mode).
❓ How to enable safe mode to check conflicts?

Startup methods:

  • On turned off the phone, hold down the power button, then long tap on "Turn off" select "Safe Mode».
  • On on the phone, hold down the power button until the menu appears, then hold "Disable» ~5 seconds.

Only system applications work in safe mode. If the problem disappears, one of the applications you installed is to blame.

❓ Is it possible to restore application data after reset?

Yes, if:

  • You used backup (Settings → System → Backup).
  • Application supports synchronization with the cloud (for example, WhatsApp restores chats from Google Drive).
  • You used Titanium Backup (requires root).

If there is no backup - data, rather in total, lost.

❓ Why do banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff) not work?

Banking applications are often blocked due to:

  • Lack of certificates (check the date and time on your phone).
  • root access or unlocked bootloader (most banks block such devices).
  • Outdated version of Android (for example, SberBank Online requires Android 8.0+).

Solution: update the firmware, remove root (if any) and install the application from the official source.

❓ What to do if the application writes “The device is not certified”?

This error appears when if:

  • Phone has not passed Google certification (often on custom firmware).
  • You reset Google Services or deleted their data.

How to fix:

  1. Go to the website Google Device Registration and register the device.
  2. Update Google Play Services i Google Play Market.