When you’re eager to launch your favorite app only to see it crash or never fully load, it can be frustrating. Often, there’s a fairly straightforward solution—if you know what to do. Below is a simple, step-by-step resource that walks you through every proven fix for getting your iPhone apps running smoothly again. Let’s dive right in.
Check for Temporary Glitches
Sometimes apps stop responding due to minor software hiccups that can be fixed with easy resets.
- Force-close the app: Swipe up from the bottom (iPhones with Face ID) or double-press the Home button (older models) to see recent apps. Swipe the troublesome app up and off the screen.
- Restart your iPhone: Press and hold the power button (Side button) along with the volume down (depending on model) until you see the power-off slider. Power off, wait a few seconds, then turn your phone on again.
- Try Airplane Mode: Enable Airplane Mode, wait a few moments, then disable it. This refreshes cellular and Wi-Fi connections without a full device reboot.
Confirm Storage Availability
When your phone is near capacity, iOS can struggle to run apps normally.
- Open Settings > General > iPhone Storage: If you’re dangerously low, offload big apps, delete large files, or transfer media to iCloud/your computer.
- Offload rarely used apps: In the Storage menu, tap on an unused app, then select “Offload App.” This preserves your data but frees up app space.
- Manage caches: Apps like social media or messaging platforms can store large caches. Deleting and reinstalling them (when possible) often clears hidden data.
Update iOS and the App
Outdated software can cause unexpected app-launch issues.
- Update iOS: Go to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, install it. Sometimes a bug fix in a newer release resolves crashes.
- Update the app: Launch the App Store, tap your profile icon in the top-right, then scroll to see pending updates. Update any app that won’t open.
Reinstall or Offload the App
A corrupted installation is common when an app repeatedly crashes on launch.
- Delete the app: Long-press its icon, tap “Remove App,” then “Delete App.”
- Reinstall from App Store: Search for the app, then download it again. If it works after reinstalling, the issue was likely with old app data.
- Use Offload instead of Delete: If you’re worried about losing app data and the app supports it, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > [App Name] > “Offload App.” Then reinstall it to see if it runs correctly.
Reset Settings (Without Erasing Content)
If you suspect a deeper software or settings conflict, resetting the iPhone settings might help. This won’t remove personal data but will restore default system preferences.
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings: Your Wi-Fi passwords, Face ID/Touch ID settings, and home screen layout revert to defaults, but your files stay intact.
- After the reset, download or open your app again to see if the issue is resolved.
Troubleshoot Network or Background Conflicts
Many apps rely on an internet connection. If they hang or crash when trying to connect to a server, the problem could be network-related.
- Try launching the app offline: Switch on Airplane Mode, open the app, then restore your internet connection. If it works only when offline, it might be making large requests at launch.
- Disable Background App Refresh: Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. Turn off refresh for problematic apps so they don’t hang on data retrieval at launch.
- Check for “watchdog” issues: If the app tries to do a big network task immediately, it can crash. Launching the app offline can confirm this. If you want to use it online, toggle your connection after the app is fully open.
Confirm App Compatibility
Older iPhone models or older iOS versions can run into app compatibility constraints.
- Check the App Store listing: Look at the “Requires iOS __ or later” statement. If your iPhone is below that version, the app may never open reliably.
- Contact the developer: Most App Store listings show a “Developer Website” link. If you can’t open the app due to compatibility limitations, check if an older version is available or ask the developer for guidance.
Look for Hardware or System Failures
If the phone restarts randomly or shows strange flickers (and not just in one app), there might be a hardware-level issue.
- Check Analytics: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements > Analytics Data. If you see multiple “panic” logs, it often indicates deeper hardware problems.
- Restore your iPhone via a computer: Use Finder on Mac (macOS 10.15 or later) or iTunes on Windows or older Mac versions. A full factory restore can rule out software corruption. If your device still has the same issues after a restore without a backup loaded, you likely have hardware damage.
Try a DFU (Device Firmware Update) Restore
A DFU restore is a deeper reinstall of your phone’s software:
- On most recent iPhone models, quickly press Volume Up, quickly press Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the device goes black.
- As the screen goes black, keep holding the Side button and simultaneously hold Volume Down (on Face ID models) for around 5 seconds. Then release the Side button but keep holding Volume Down until your computer sees a device in DFU mode.
- If done correctly, the screen should remain black, and your computer or Finder/iTunes will prompt you to restore the iPhone. Performing a DFU restore erases all data, so always back up your iPhone first. This is often a final step for stubborn, software-based errors.
Contact App Developer or Apple Support
If none of these steps help, the issue might be unique to that app or your device’s hardware.
- Contact the developer: Visit their official site or the App Store contact details. If you see an option to “Report a Problem” on the App Store, use it.
- Reach Apple Support:
- Website: Apple Support
- U.S. Phone: 1‑800‑275‑2273
They can run diagnostics or provide next steps if the problem lies in hardware or deeper software conflicts.
Wrapping It Up
When your iPhone app refuses to open, it might seem like a giant headache, but it’s usually fixable with a few targeted steps. From freeing up storage to reinstalling the app or updating your phone, you have plenty of reliable options. In the rare event those don’t work, a full restore or developer assistance can often get you back up and running. If you follow the steps above, the odds are excellent you’ll be tapping away in your favorite app again soon.