4 Ways to Fix Apps Won’t Open on Android

Try Basic Fixes

• Free up storage space: Insufficient storage space is a common reason why apps on your Android may not respond or close unexpectedly. You need to check your phone’s storage status to ensure there’s enough free space.
• Install app and Android updates: If you’ve disabled automatic app updates on your Android, your apps may become outdated over time. This can result in various issues, including abrupt app crashes. Keeping your Android updated to its most recent version is equally important, as these updates bring various bug fixes and performance improvements.
• Uninstall and reinstall problematic apps: If you are experiencing issues only with a select few apps on your Android, you can consider reinstalling them. This should help fix issues caused by corrupt data or improper installation. Uninstall all the problematic apps one by one, and then install them again from the Play Store.
• Avoid using third-party launchers: If you are using a third-party launcher app like Nova, it’s worth noting that issues with that launcher app could cause apps to stop working on your Android. To avoid this, it’s best to switch to the default launcher app on your Android and check if that solves the problem.

Fix 1: Clear App Cache and Data

Apps on your phone tend to collect cache data to reduce loading times and improve your overall experience. However, if this cache data becomes old or corrupt, the app may not open or work on your Android. In that case, you will need to get rid of the existing cache data to fix the problem.

Step 1: Long-press on the troublesome app’s icon and tap the info icon from the resulting menu.

Step 2: Go to Storage and tap the Clear cache option.

If the problem persists, you can consider clearing all the app data from the same menu. Note that this will delete all the app files, remove your accounts, and reset app settings.

Fix 2: Reinstall Android System WebView Updates

Android System WebView is a crucial system component that helps apps on your phone display web content. If there’s an issue with WebView, apps that rely on it (such as Chrome, Gmail, and others) might crash or fail to open. To fix this, you will need to uninstall Android System WebView updates and reinstall them.

Step 1: Launch the Google Play Store, search for Android System Webview, and select the first result that appears. Tap Uninstall and select Uninstall again to remove WebView updates.

Step 2: Tap the Update button to install Android WebView updates and try using your apps again.

Fix 3: Try Safe Mode

When you boot your Android into Safe Mode, it runs without third-party apps and services. This can help you determine if the issue is caused by one of those apps or services running in the background.

To boot your Android in Safe Mode, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Press and hold the physical power button on your phone.

Step 2: Long press the Power off option and tap the green checkmark that appears.

Once your phone boots into Safe Mode, try opening a few apps. If you don’t experience any problems, one of the third-party apps installed on Android might be causing the issue. Apps that you’ve recently installed are most likely to be the culprits. You will need to remove any suspicious apps one by one until the issue is resolved.

Fix 4: Reset All Settings

If all else fails, you can consider resetting your Android. Doing so will revert all the settings on your phone to their defaults. Don’t worry; your personal data won’t be affected by this.

Step 1: Open the Settings app and head to General management > Reset.

Step 2: Tap Reset all settings and select the Reset settings button to confirm.