iOS app keeps crashing – quick fixes that actually work

Start here – 30 second fixes

Force close the app and reopen it

This sounds too simple, but it fixes about 40% of crashes. When an app gets stuck in memory, reopening it fresh clears out whatever went wrong.

1. On iPhones with Face ID (iPhone X and newer): Swipe up from the bottom and pause in the middle of the screen. You'll see all your open apps in a card view.
2. On iPhones with a Home button (iPhone 8 and older): Double-click the Home button. Same card view appears.
3. On iPads without a Home button: Swipe up and pause, same as Face ID iPhones.
4. On iPads with a Home button: Double-click Home.
5. Swipe left or right to find the crashing app's card.
6. Flick that card up and off the screen. Don't just tap it – flick it all the way up.
7. Wait 2 seconds. Then tap the app icon to relaunch it.

What you should see: The app will open from scratch. No resume screen. If it still crashes, move to the next fix.

Restart your iPhone or iPad

A full restart clears system memory and resets background processes. It's the second easiest fix, and it works when one app's crash has messed up the whole system.

1. Press and hold the Side button (or Top button on iPads) and either Volume button at the same time.
2. Keep holding until the slide to power off slider appears.
3. Drag the slider to the right. Your screen goes black.
4. Wait 30 seconds. Seriously – count to 30. Don't rush this.
5. Press and hold the Side button again until you see the Apple logo.
6. Release the button. Let the phone boot up fully. This takes about a minute.

What you should see: Lock screen appears. Unlock and try the crashing app. If it opens and stays open, you're done. If it still crashes, move on.

Moderate fix – 5 minutes

Check for iOS updates and app updates

I can't tell you how many crashes I've fixed just by updating. Apple and app developers push updates specifically to fix crash bugs. If you're running iOS 17.0 and the latest app needs 17.2, you'll get crashes.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap Software Update.
4. If an update is available, tap Download and Install. Your phone will restart during the install.
5. After the update finishes, open the App Store.
6. Tap your profile icon (top right corner).
7. Scroll down to Available Updates. Find the crashing app and tap Update.

What you should see: After updating both iOS and the app, relaunch it. It should load without the crash. If it still crashes, the problem is probably with your app's data or storage.

Free up storage space – low storage causes crashes

When your iPhone storage is almost full – I'm talking under 1GB free – apps crash because they can't write temporary files. This is especially common with photo editing apps, games, and social media apps.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage).
4. Look at the top bar. It shows used vs available space.
5. If you have less than 2GB free, here's what to do:
6. Scroll down the list of apps. They're sorted by size.
7. Tap any large app you don't use often. Tap Delete App (not Offload App – delete it).
8. Also check Messages. Tap it, then tap Review Large Attachments. Delete old photos and videos.
9. Go back to the main Storage screen. You should see free space increase.
10. Aim for at least 3GB free. 5GB is better.

What you should see: After freeing space, try the crashing app again. If it works, you're good. If not, the app's internal data is probably corrupted.

Advanced fix – 15+ minutes

Delete and reinstall the app

This is the nuclear option for a single app. It wipes all local data – saved logins, drafts, settings, everything. But it also removes whatever corrupted file is causing the crash.

1. Find the app on your Home screen.
2. On iPhones with 3D Touch or Haptic Touch: Press and hold the app icon until a menu pops up.
3. Tap Remove App.
4. Tap Delete App. Confirm by tapping Delete again.
5. Wait 10 seconds. Then open the App Store.
6. Search for the app by name.
7. Tap the cloud icon (download) or the price button. If it's a paid app you already bought, it will say Get but will not charge you again.
8. Wait for the app to download and install.
9. Open the app. You'll probably need to log in again or set it up fresh.

What you should see: A clean version of the app with no saved data. If it still crashes after a fresh install, the problem is not with the app itself – it's something deeper.

Reset all settings – keeps your data, fixes system bugs

This is my go-to when a single app won't stop crashing but everything else works fine. It resets Wi-Fi passwords, wallpapers, and notification settings – but it does not delete your photos, messages, or app data. I've seen this fix crashes caused by corrupted system preferences.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Scroll to the bottom. Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
4. Tap Reset at the bottom of the screen.
5. Tap Reset All Settings.
6. Enter your passcode when prompted.
7. Tap Reset All Settings again to confirm.
8. Your phone will restart. This takes about 2 minutes.

What you should see: After restart, your wallpaper is probably the default one. You'll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi and maybe re-pair Bluetooth devices. But your apps, photos, and messages are all there. Try the crashing app now.

Restore from backup or set up as new

If you've tried everything above and the app still crashes, you have one of two problems: either a corrupted backup is being restored every time, or there's a hardware issue. Let's rule out the backup first.

1. Connect your iPhone to a computer with iTunes or Finder (macOS Catalina or later).
2. Make a fresh backup: In Finder, click your device, then click Back Up Now. In iTunes, click Summary then Back Up Now.
3. After the backup finishes, click Restore iPhone.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts. Your phone will erase and reinstall iOS.
5. When the setup screen appears, choose Restore from this backup. Pick the backup you just made.

What you should see: If the app still crashes after restoring, the backup is corrupted. You'll need to set up the phone as new – no backup restore. That's a last resort, but it usually fixes even the most stubborn crashes. If it still crashes after a clean setup with no backup, the app itself is broken and you need to contact the developer.

Quick summary for the impatient

1. Force close and reopen the app.
2. Restart your iPhone.
3. Update iOS and the app.
4. Free up at least 3GB of storage.
5. Delete and reinstall the app.
6. Reset all settings.
7. Restore from backup or set up as new.

Start at step 1. Stop when the crash stops. 9 times out of 10, you won't get past step 3.