How to Solve "Apps Keep Crashing" on iPhones: A Simple Guide
Experiencing apps that keep closing unexpectedly on your iPhone can be a major annoyance. One minute you're scrolling through your social media feed or playing your favorite game, and the next, you're looking at your home screen wondering what just happened. If this has become a routine hassle for you, don't worry. You're about to learn some simple and effective ways to tackle this problem and get your apps running smoothly again.
1. Restart Your iPhone
Before diving into more complex solutions, let's start with the basics. Restarting your iPhone can often solve a host of issues, including apps crashing. It clears the phone's memory (don't worry, not your data) and gives your device a fresh start. To restart your iPhone, follow these steps:
- If you have an iPhone X or later, press and hold the Side button and either volume button until the "slide to power off" option appears. For iPhone 8 and earlier, press and hold the top (or side) button.
- Drag the slider to turn your device completely off.
- After the device turns off, press and hold the Side (or top) button again until you see the Apple logo.
2. Update Your Apps
Sometimes, the reason apps crash is that they're outdated. App developers regularly release updates to improve performance and fix bugs. If you haven't updated your apps recently, this might be causing the issue. Here's how to update your apps:
- Open the App Store on your iPhone.
- Tap on your profile icon at the top right corner.
- Scroll down to see available updates and release notes.
- Tap 'Update All' to update all your apps or select individual apps to update.
3. Check for iOS Updates
Just as with apps, Apple frequently releases updates for iOS, the operating system that runs on your iPhone. These updates can improve overall performance and fix known issues, including apps crashing. To check for and install an iOS update:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- If an update is available, tap Download and Install.
- Make sure your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi and is charged (or plugged into a charger) during the update process.
4. Manage Your Storage
A lack of sufficient storage space on your iPhone can also cause apps to perform poorly or crash. To check your storage:
- Navigate to Settings > General > [Device] Storage.
- Here, you'll see a breakdown of what's taking up space on your device.
- Consider deleting apps you no longer use, offloading unused apps, or removing large files and media that you don't need.
5. Reinstall Problematic Apps
If a specific app keeps crashing, try uninstalling and then reinstalling it. This can often fix any glitches the app may be experiencing. To do this:
- Press and hold the app icon on your home screen until it wiggles.
- Tap on the 'X' that appears on the app icon.
- Once the app is uninstalled, go to the App Store to download and reinstall it.
6. Reset All Settings
If you've tried all the above steps and apps are still crashing, it might be time to reset all settings on your iPhone. This will reset system settings like Wi-Fi passwords and wallpaper but won't delete your data. To reset all settings:
- Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings.
- Enter your passcode if prompted, and confirm that you want to reset the settings.
Conclusion
Your iPhone is an essential tool in your daily life, and apps crashing can disrupt your routine. By following these steps, you can solve the "apps keep closing unexpectedly" issue and enjoy a smoother, frustration-free experience with your device.
Remember, most of these solutions are simple to implement and can save you a lot of time and hassle. However, if you've tried all these options and you're still experiencing problems, it might be time to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for further assistance. They can offer more in-depth diagnostics and solutions to get your iPhone and your apps back in working order.