Why apps crash on Redmi smartphones and how to fix it

Are you faced with the fact that your favorite applications on Redmi suddenly close or give the error “The application has stopped”? This problem is familiar to many smartphone owners Xiaomi —from budget Redmi 9A to flagship Redmi K60 Pro. Most often, software conflicts, an overloaded cache, or firmware errors are to blame. But don’t rush to take your phone to a service center: in 90% of cases, the problem can be solved on your own in 10-30 minutes. MIUI. But don’t rush to take your phone to a service center: in 90% of cases, the problem can be solved on your own in 10-30 minutes.

In this article we will analyze all possible reasons from banal lack of memory to deep system failures. You will receive step-by-step guide with illustrations (for key actions), a table of solution compatibility for different versions Androidas well as tips on how to prevent repeated failures. We will pay special attention to the nuances of the firmware MIUI 14 and new models Redmi Note 12/13where the algorithms for working with background processes have changed.

If applications crash only when opening (for example, VKontakte or TikTok close after 2-3 seconds), the problem is most likely in the software itself or its data. If failures occur accidentally (in the middle of work, when switching between apps) - the system is to blame. And if the phone is also overheats or discharges in an hour, the problem may be in the hardware. We will teach you to distinguish one from the other.

1. Rebooting the phone is the first diagnostic step

It sounds trivial, but more than 30% of problems application crashes are resolved with a regular reboot. The fact is that MIUI actively manages RAM: background processes are forcibly closed to free up resources. Sometimes this leads to malfunctions in running apps.

How to reboot correctly Redmito reset temporary errors:

1. Press the power button for 3-5 seconds.
2. B in the menu that appears, select Restart (not "Turn off!").
3. Wait for complete shutdown and automatic restart (usually 30-60 seconds).

If after restarting applications continue to crash, proceed to the next step. Important: do not use the function Fast reboot in MIUI —it does not clear the kernel cache, but only restarts the interface.

2. Clearing the cache and data of a problematic application

Application caches are temporary files that help apps run faster. But over time, they can become damaged or take up too much space, leading to failures. Clearing the cache will not delete your accounts or settingsbut may require you to re-enter some services.

Instructions for MIUI 13/14:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Management applications.
2. Find the problematic application (for example, Instagram or Yandex.Maps) and tap on it.
3. Select Storage → Clear cache.
4. If the problem persists, go back and click Clear data (⚠️ this will reset all application settings!).

For mass clearing cache of all applications:

1. Go to Settings → Storage.
2. Tap on Data cache → confirm clearing.

Remember the username/password for the application

Take screenshots of important settings

Check if the account is linked to the phone (for example, in banking applications)

Close all background tasks-->

Exception: If a system application crashes (for example Settings or Phone), clearing data may cause the interface to crash. In this case, it is better to immediately go to reset settings.

3. Checking free space and RAM

On Redmi smartphones with 4/64 GB of memory, application crashes begin when less than 1.5 GB is free. System MIUI aggressively closes processes to free up space, but often does so incorrectly. Check the free space:

1. Settings → Storage.
2. In the section Internal memory look at the usage graph.

Optimal values for stable operation:

• 📱 Memory: minimum 2-3 GB free (for models with 64 GB ROM).
• 🧠 RAM: in Settings → About phone → Memory status at least 30-40% of the total volume should be free.

How to free up space:

• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files via Files → Cleaning (built-in cleaner MIUI).
• 📸 Transfer photos/videos to Google Photos or memory card (if supported).
• 🎮 Delete the game cache via Settings → Applications → Games.
• 📦 Use the function Easy mode v Settings → Features (reduces background activity).

What to do if memory is critically low and there is nothing to delete?

If there is less than 500 MB available and important data cannot be deleted, try:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and transfer the files to disk.

2. Use cloud services (Mail.Cloud, Yandex Disk) with automatic downloading.

3. For models with support OTG connect the USB flash drive and transfer the data there.

4. As a last resort, perform a factory reset (see section 5).

4. Updating applications and MIUI firmware

Crashes are often associated with incompatibility of versions: for example, the application is updated, but the system libraries are not (or vice versa). Check the relevance of the software:

Updating applications:

1. Open Google Play Market.
2. Tap on the profile icon → Manage applications and device.
3. Click Update all (if there are updates available).

MIUI update:

1. Settings → About phone → System update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If a new version is available, download and install it (be sure to connect to Wi-Fi!).

For models Redmi Note 11/12 and newer:

• 🔄 Updates come in waves - if your model is on the list, but the update is not available, wait 1-2 weeks.
• 🚫 Do not install firmware manually (via fastboot), if you are not sure of your actions - this may lead to to brik (breakdown) of the phone.

Redmi model	Minimum stable version of MIUI	Last available version (for 2026)
Redmi 9A/9C	MIUI 12.0.8	MIUI 14.0.2 (Android 10)
Redmi Note 10 Pro	MIUI 12.5.3	MIUI 14.0.4 (Android 13)
Redmi K50	MIUI 13.0.5	MIUI 14.0.6 (Android 13)
Redmi Note 12 Pro+	MIUI 14.0.1	MIUI 14.0.8 (Android 13)

⚠️ Attention: If your model is older Redmi 8 (released before 2019), official MIUI updates may no longer be available. In this case, consider upgrading to custom firmware (for example LineageOS), but this requires unlocking the bootloader and may void the warranty.

5. Reset settings to factory settings

If the previous methods did not help, and applications continue to crash, it’s time to consider hard reset. This will delete all data from the phone, so first:

• 📱 Make a backup via Settings → Advanced → Backup and reset.
• 🔐 Remember or write down passwords from Google account and key applications.
• 📞 Save contacts to a SIM card or to the cloud.

Reset instructions:

1. Settings → About phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Erase all data.
3. Enter the password (if set) and confirm the action.
4. After reboot, configure the phone as new.

For models with locked bootloader (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G), the reset may take up to 10 minutes - do not interrupt the process!

6. Scan for viruses and malware

Malware can interfere with applications, causing them to crash. This is especially true if you installed APK files from unverified sources. Perform a scan:

Built-in MIUI scanner:

1. Settings → Applications → Security → Scan.
2. Click Virus scan and wait for completion.

Third-party antiviruses (optional):

• 🛡️ Dr.Web Light —light scanner without background.
• 🔍 Malwarebytes —specializes in spyware.
• 📱 Bitdefender Mobile Security —full protection package.

If the antivirus finds threats:

1. Delete infected files or applications.
2. Check the list of installed apps for suspicious ones (for example, with names like System Update, Flash Player —these are common masks for viruses).
3. After removal, reboot your phone.

⚠️ Attention: Some "optimizers" from Google Play (for example, Clean Master, DU Speed Booster) can themselves be a source of problems. They aggressively close background processes and sometimes delete important system files. After installing them, application crashes become 2-3 times more frequent.

7. Rollback to the previous version of MIUI (for advanced)

If crashes began to occur after updating the firmware, you can try to return to the previous version. This method is only suitable for users who are ready to work with fastboot and ADB.

Preparation:

• 🔗 Download the desired version of MIUI from the official website Xiaomi (section Fastboot ROM).
• 🖥️ Install Mi Flash Tool on PC.
• 🔌 Connect the phone in Fastboot (hold Volume down + Power with the phone turned off).

Rollback process:

1. Unpack the downloaded archive with the firmware.
2. Open Mi Flash Tool, select the folder with the firmware.
3. Connect the phone and press Refresh —the device must be detected.
4. Select mode Clean all (full wipe) and press Flash.

⚠️ Important:

• Rollback will reset all data on the phone.
• Not interrupt the process - this may lead to brick (inoperability) of the device.
• On new models (Redmi Note 12 and newer) you may need to unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool.

What to do if after a rollback the phone does not turn on?

If after the firmware the screen remains black or only the logo lights up MI:

1. Repeat the firmware procedure with the same MIUI version.

2. Try flashing via EDL mode (an authorized account is required Xiaomi).

3. Contact a service center - self-repair may aggravate the problem.

8. Hardware problems: when it’s to blame "hardware"

If none of the software methods helped, the reason may lie in hardware faults. Pay attention to the following symptoms:

• 🔥 The phone gets very hot even when idle.
• 🔋 The battery is discharged in 1-2 hours (with normal use).
• 🐢 Applications crash when connected to a charger or under high load (games, videos).
• 📵 The network or Wi-Fi periodically disappears.

Possible causes and solutions:

Problem	Symptoms	Solution
Faulty RAM	Crashes when opening any applications, reboot	Diagnostics in the service, replacing the memory module
Problems with the drive (eMMC/UFS)	Freezes, slow file writing, reading errors	Replacing the memory chip or the entire motherboard module
CPU overheating	Phone is hot, throttling (reduced performance)	Replacing thermal paste, cleaning dust
Faulty battery	Shutdowns at 20-30% charge, swelling of the battery	Replacement of the battery (original only!)

To diagnose hardware, you can use the following applications:

• 📊 AIDA64 - will show the temperature, processor load, memory status.
• 🔋 AccuBattery - will analyze the health of the battery.
• 🔍 CPU Throttling Test - will check for throttling due to overheating.

⚠️ Attention: If the phone is under warranty, do not open it on your own! Contact an authorized service center Xiaomi. Self-repair will void your warranty obligations.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about application crashes on Redmi

Why do only specific applications crash (for example, VKontakte or TikTok)?

This may be due to:

• 🔄 Conflict version of the application and your firmware (update or roll back the application).
• 🗃️ Damaged cache (clear application data, as in section 2).
• 🚫 Blocking background activity in Settings → Applications → Permissions → Autorun.
• 🛡️ Built-in optimization MIUI: disable it in Settings → Features → System optimization.

If the problem is only with social networks, try using them web versions through the browser.

After updating MIUI, all applications began to crash. What should I do?

This is a typical problem when switching to a new one. version MIUI. Procedure:

1. Do reset the cache (not data!) via Settings → Storage → Data cache.
2. Check whether developer mode is enabled with aggressive settings (for example, limiting background processes).
3. If that doesn’t help, perform reset settings.
4. As a last resort, roll back to the previous version MIUI (see Section 7).

On models Redmi Note 11 and newer after major updates (for example, from MIUI 13 to 14), you may need manual reinstallation of all applications.

The crashes started after the phone fell. Is this connected?

With a high probability - yes. Physical damage can lead to:

• 🔌 Disconnection of the cable battery or display (leading to sudden shutdowns).
• 🧠 Microcracks on the motherboard board (flights due to heating or vibration).
• 💾 Damage to the memory chip (applications close with an error java.lang.RuntimeException).

What to do:

1. Check the phone for external damage (swollen battery, cracks on the board).
2. If after crashes appeared artifacts on the screen or the camera stopped working - take it to the service.
3. You can try it yourself reinstall the firmware (see section 7), but this does not guarantee a solution to the problem.

Is it possible to fix crashes without resetting the settings?

Yes, in most cases. Try the following methods without data loss:

• 🧹 Clearing the cache (see section 2).
• 🔄 Updating applications and MIUI (see section 4).
• 🛡️ Virus scan (see section 6).
• 📱 Disabling battery optimization for problematic applications (Settings → Applications → Battery → Unlimited).
• 🔧 Enabling developer mode and increasing the limit of background processes (Settings → About phone → MIUI version — tap 7 times, then Settings → Advanced → For developers find Process limit and select Standard limit).

If all else fails, try uninstall updates for system applications (for example, Google Play Services):

1. Settings → Applications → Show all applications.
2. Find the problematic application → ⋮ → Uninstall updates.

How to prevent application crashes in the future?

Preventive measures for stable operation Redmi:

• 📲 Clear the cache regularly (once every 1-2 weeks).
• 🔄 Update applications and firmware MIUI (but do not install beta versions!).
• 🚫 Do not install applications from unverified sources (especially “hacked” APKs).
• 🔋 Monitor the health of the battery (if it is swollen or quickly discharged, replace it).
• 🧊 Avoid overheating: do not play heavy games while charging, do not leave the phone in the sun.
• 📥 Do not fill the memory to capacity - leave at least 2-3 GB of free space.
• 🛡️ Disable unnecessary background processes in Settings → Applications → Autorun.

For models with 6/128 GB or less, it is recommended to use light versions of applications (for example, Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite) and refuse resource-intensive games.