How to fix iOS apps crashing on iPhone

It’s a common frustration in April 2025 you tap on your favorite app, ready to catch up on news, connect with friends, or get some work done, only for it to crash unexpectedly. I’ve “seen” countless iPhone users experience this, and while it can be annoying, the good news is that there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve these app-crashing issues. This guide will walk you through a detailed, step-by-step process to diagnose and fix those pesky iOS apps that keep crashing on your iPhone.

Step 1: The Immediate First Aid – Force Quit and Restart the App 

Often, a simple force quit and restart can resolve temporary glitches causing an app to crash.

1. Force Quit the App:
   • On iPhones with Face ID (iPhone X and later): Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold briefly in the middle. Then, swipe left or right to find the app you want to close and swipe up on the app’s preview to force quit it.
   • On iPhones with a Home Button (iPhone SE [2nd and 3rd generation], iPhone 8 and earlier): Double-press the Home button to bring up the app switcher. Then, swipe left or right to find the app you want to close and swipe up on the app’s preview to force quit it.
2. Wait a Few Seconds: Give your iPhone a brief moment (around 5-10 seconds).
3. Restart the App: Tap on the app icon again to relaunch it.

This simple action often resolves temporary software hiccups.

Step 2: The Next Logical Step – Restart Your iPhone 

If the app continues to crash after a force quit, restarting your entire iPhone can often clear more persistent temporary issues.

1. Restart Your iPhone: The method varies slightly depending on your iPhone model:
   • iPhone 8 or later (including SE 2nd & 3rd gen): Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, press and quickly release the Volume Down button, ¹ then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

1. • iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold both the Side button and the Volume Down button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
   • iPhone 6s or earlier (including SE 1st gen): Press and hold both the Home button and the Power button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
2. Wait for Restart: Allow your iPhone to fully restart.
3. Relaunch the App: Once your iPhone is back on, try opening the app again.

Step 3: Check for App Updates 

Running an outdated version of an app can sometimes lead to crashes due to bugs or compatibility issues with the latest iOS version in April 2025.

1. Open the App Store: Locate and tap the App Store icon.
2. Go to the “Updates” Tab: Tap on the “Updates” tab, usually located at the bottom-right of the screen.
3. Check for Available Updates: Look for the app that’s crashing in the list of available updates. If you see an “Update” button next to it, tap it to download and install the latest version.
4. Update All Apps (Recommended): It’s generally a good practice to keep all your apps updated to ensure optimal performance and security. Tap the “Update All” button at the top if available.

Step 4: Ensure Your iPhone’s Software is Up to Date 

Just like outdated apps, an outdated version of iOS itself can sometimes cause app crashes due to compatibility problems.

1. Open the Settings App: Locate and tap the Settings app icon.
2. Tap on “General”: Scroll down and tap on “General.”
3. Tap on “Software Update”: Tap on “Software Update.”
4. Check for Updates: Your iPhone will automatically check for available updates. If an update is found, tap “Download and Install” and follow the on-screen instructions. Ensure your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi and has sufficient battery or is plugged into a power source during the update process.

Step 5: Free Up Storage Space on Your iPhone 

Running out of storage space can cause various performance issues, including apps crashing.

1. Open the Settings App: Tap on the Settings app icon.
2. Tap on “General”: Scroll down and tap on “General.”
3. Tap on “iPhone Storage”: Tap on “iPhone Storage.”
4. Manage Your Storage: Review the list of apps and see which ones are taking up the most space. Consider deleting apps you no longer use, offloading unused apps (which removes the app but keeps its data if you want to reinstall later), or deleting large files like videos and photos that you’ve already backed up elsewhere.

Step 6: Check Your Wi-Fi or Cellular Connection (Network Dependency)

Some apps require a stable internet connection to function properly. If your connection is weak or unstable, it might cause apps to crash.

1. Check Your Connection: Ensure you have a strong and stable Wi-Fi or cellular data connection. Try switching between Wi-Fi and cellular to see if the issue persists on one or both.
2. Restart Your Router (for Wi-Fi Issues): If you suspect a problem with your Wi-Fi, try restarting your Wi-Fi router and modem.

Step 7: Reset All Settings 

If the app crashing continues, you can try resetting all settings on your iPhone. This will reset your personalized settings (like Wi-Fi passwords, wallpaper, notification preferences) but will not erase your personal data.

1. Open the Settings App: Tap on the Settings app icon.
2. Tap on “General”: Scroll down and tap on “General.”
3. Scroll Down and Tap “Transfer or Reset iPhone”: Tap on this option.
4. Tap “Reset”: Tap on “Reset.”
5. Tap “Reset All Settings”: Choose “Reset All Settings” and follow the on-screen instructions. You might need to enter your passcode to confirm.

Step 8: Reinstall the App (If the Problem Persists with a Specific App)

If only one or a few specific apps are crashing, there might be an issue with the app’s installation.

1. Delete the App: On your Home Screen, find the app icon, press and hold on it, and select “Remove App” (or “Delete App”). Confirm that you want to delete it.
2. Restart Your iPhone: Restart your iPhone (as described in Step 2).
3. Reinstall the App from the App Store: Open the App Store, search for the app, and tap the “Install” button (cloud icon).

Step 9: Check for Compatibility Issues 

If you have an older iPhone, it might not be fully compatible with the latest versions of some apps, which could lead to crashes. Check the app’s description in the App Store to see the minimum iOS version it requires. If your iPhone is running an older iOS version that isn’t supported, you might need to consider upgrading your iOS (if possible) or finding an alternative app.

Step 10: Contact the App Developer or Apple Support 

If you’ve tried all the above steps and a specific app continues to crash, there might be a bug within the app itself.

1. Contact the App Developer: You can usually find the developer’s contact information in the App Store listing for the app. Reach out to them to report the issue.
2. Contact Apple Support: If multiple apps are crashing or you suspect a more significant issue with your iPhone, you can contact Apple Support for further assistance.

My Personal Insights on Fixing Crashing iOS Apps

I’ve found that the majority of app crashes on iPhones in April 2025 are often due to temporary software glitches, outdated apps, or insufficient storage. Regularly updating your apps and iOS, along with managing your storage, can go a long way in preventing these issues. Don’t hesitate to force quit and restart an app or your iPhone as a quick first step. If the problem persists, working through the more systematic troubleshooting steps outlined above should help you identify and resolve the cause of the crashing.