Fix an installed Android app that isn't working

Try the following steps if an app installed on your phone has any of these problems:

• Crashing. 
• Won’t open. 
• Won’t respond. 
• Isn’t working properly. If the app that isn’t working is an Instant App, try these troubleshooting steps instead.

After each step, restart your phone to see if it fixed the issue.

Note: Some of these steps work only on Android 8.1 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Step 1: Restart & update

Restart your phone

Important: Settings can vary by phone. For more info, contact your device manufacturer.

1. On most phones, press your phone's Power button for about 30 seconds or until your phone restarts. 
2. You might need to tap Restart  .

Check for Android updates

• Open your phone's Settings app.
• Near the bottom, tap System Advanced System update.
  • Depending on your phone, you might need to tap About phone or About tablet  Software update.
• You'll find your update status. Follow any steps on the screen.

Update the app

1. On your phone, open the Google Play Store app .
2. Tap Menu   My apps & games.
3. Apps with available updates are labeled "Update."
   • If an update is available, tap Update.
   • If more updates are available, tap Update all.

Step 2: Check for a larger app issue

Force stop the app

You can usually force stop an app through your phone’s Settings app. Settings can vary by phone. For more info, contact your device manufacturer.

Tip: If problems continue after you've force stopped the app, you could need to contact its developer. Learn how to contact a developer.

Clear the app's cache & data

• You can usually clear an app’s cache and data through your phone’s Settings app.  Settings can vary by phone. For more info, contact your device manufacturer.

• Temporarily free up space when you clear cached data. This is a short-term solution. Over time, cached data will build up again.

Tip: If problems continue after you cleared the app's cache and data, you could need to contact its developer. Learn how to contact a developer.

Sync device with Google servers

Important: Settings can vary by phone. For more info, contact your device manufacturer.

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Tap System  Date & Time.
3. Turn off Automatic Time Zone and Automatic Date & Time.
4. Change the date and time to be incorrect.
5. Turn on Automatic Time Zone and Automatic Date & Time.

Uninstall the app

Caution: Any data saved in this app will be erased.

1. Touch and hold the app that you want to uninstall.
2. To see your options, start dragging the app.
3. Drag the app to Uninstall at the top of the screen. If you don't see "Uninstall," you can't uninstall the app.
4. Lift your finger.

Tip: If you want to use the app again, you can try reinstalling it. Learn how to reinstall apps.

Contact the app developer

Important: If you tried the troubleshooting steps but still have trouble, contact us or the app developer.

• If you can’t update any apps, or if you have trouble with Google apps, contact Google Play.
• If you have trouble with one app but can use other apps without a problem, contact the app developer.

Related articles

• Find problem apps by rebooting to safe mode
• Fix a phone that's restarting or crashing
• Fix a phone that freezes or is unresponsive