How to Fix an Unresponsive App on Your Phone

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

AppUnresponsiveMobileTroubleshootingAndroidiPhoneDevicesPerformanceSettingsCustomization

Mobile applications or apps are an important part of our daily lives. We use them to communicate, shop, learn, and entertain ourselves. However, sometimes these apps become unresponsive or freeze, interrupting our activities and causing frustration. This guide provides comprehensive steps to troubleshoot and fix unresponsive app issues on your phone.

1. Close the app and reopen it

The simplest and most immediate step is to close the app and reopen it. Sometimes, apps can become unresponsive due to temporary glitches. Closing and reopening the app may solve these issues.

1. On Android:
   1. Go to the Recent Apps screen by tapping the square or multitasking button.
   2. Swipe left or right to find the unresponsive app.
   3. To close an app, swipe its window off the screen.
   4. Re-open the app from your home screen or app drawer.
2. On iPhone:
   1. To view recently used apps, double-click the Home button (for older models) or swipe up from the bottom and hold (for newer models).
   2. Find the unresponsive app and swipe up from the screen to close it.
   3. Re-open the app from your home screen.

2. Restart your phone

Rebooting can fix many minor software problems. Restarting your phone clears system memory and may fix apps that are frozen or unresponsive.

1. On Android:
   1. Press and hold the Power button until the power menu appears.
   2. Tap "Restart" or "Reboot." If these options aren't available, tap "Power Off" and then turn your device back on.
2. On iPhone:
   1. For iPhone X or later, press and hold the Side button and either Volume button until the Power Off slider appears. For older models, press and hold the Top (or Side) button.
   2. Drag the slider, wait until your phone turns off, then press and hold the Side (or Top) button again to turn it back on.

3. Update the app

App developers often release updates to fix bugs and improve performance. Make sure your app is up-to-date by checking for updates in the App Store.

1. On Android:
   1. Open the Google Play Store app.
   2. Tap the menu (three horizontal lines) and select “My apps & games.”
   3. Locate the unresponsive app and tap “Update” if an update is available.
2. On iPhone:
   1. Open the App Store.
   2. Tap your profile icon at the top of the screen.
   3. Scroll down to see if there are updates available for the unresponsive app and tap "Update."

4. Clear the app cache (Android only)

Over time, cache data stored by apps can become corrupted, causing the app to malfunction. Clearing the cache can solve these problems without losing personal data.

1. Open the "Settings" app on your Android device.
2. Tap "Apps & notifications" and then tap "See all apps."
3. Find and tap the unresponsive app.
4. Tap "Storage" and then tap "Clear Cache."

5. Force stop the app

Forcing an app can resolve temporary glitches by completely shutting down the app’s processes.

1. On Android:
   1. Open the "Settings" app.
   2. Tap "Apps & notifications" and then tap "See all apps."
   3. Select the unresponsive app and tap “Force Stop.”
   4. Reopen the app to see if the issue is resolved.
2. On iPhone:
   1. Open the Settings app, go to "General," and select "iPhone Storage."
   2. Find the unresponsive app and tap it.
   3. Select “Offload App” and then confirm.
   4. Reinstall the app from the App Store.
   5. Reopen the app to check if it’s responding.

6. Check for system updates

Operating system updates may include fixes for bugs that may be causing app problems. Make sure your phone's operating system is up to date.

1. On Android:
   1. Open the "Settings" app.
   2. Scroll down and tap "System" and then "Advanced."
   3. Tap "System Updates" and follow the on-screen instructions to install available updates.
2. On iPhone:
   1. Open the "Settings" app.
   2. Go to "General" and then "Software Update."
   3. If an update is available, tap “Download and Install.”

7. Free up storage space

Low storage space can cause apps to perform poorly or become unresponsive. Freeing up space can improve app performance.

1. On Android:
   1. Open the "Settings" app.
   2. To see how much space is available, tap "Storage."
   3. Delete unused apps, clear cached data, or move files to an external storage device to free up space.
2. On iPhone:
   1. Open the "Settings" app.
   2. Go to "General" and then "iPhone Storage."
   3. Review the list of apps and remove those that you no longer use.
   4. Delete unnecessary files or move them to cloud storage.

8. Reinstall the app

If none of the above methods work, it may be necessary to reinstall the app. This will resolve issues related to the corrupted app installation, but it will delete any data associated with the app unless it is backed up to an account or cloud service.

1. On Android:
   1. Open the "Settings" app.
   2. Tap "Apps & notifications" and then tap "See all apps."
   3. Select the unresponsive app and tap “Uninstall.”
   4. Go to Google Play Store, search for the app and reinstall it.
2. On iPhone:
   1. Find the app on your home screen.
   2. Press and hold an app icon until it begins to jiggle, then tap the "X" that appears on the icon to delete the app.
   3. Open the App Store, search for the app, and reinstall it.

9. Check app permissions

Sometimes an app becomes unresponsive because it doesn't have the necessary permissions to work properly. Verify that the app has all the necessary permissions.

1. On Android:
   1. Open the "Settings" app.
   2. Tap "Apps & notifications" and then tap "See all apps."
   3. Select the unresponsive app and tap "Permissions".
   4. Make sure all the required permissions are granted.
2. On iPhone:
   1. Open "Settings".
   2. Scroll down and find the unresponsive app.
   3. Tap on the app and turn on the required permissions.

10. Contact app support

If the app remains unresponsive despite all previous attempts, it may be necessary to contact the app's support team. Provide them with details about your problem and the troubleshooting steps you've already taken.

1. On Android:
   1. Open Google Play Store and search for the unresponsive app.
   2. Scroll down to the "Developer Contact" section and use the email address or website provided to reach the support team.
2. On iPhone:
   1. Open the App Store and search for the unresponsive app.
   2. Scroll down to the "Information" section and use the developer's contact information to get support.

11. Factory reset your phone (last resort)

If none of the troubleshooting steps resolve the issue and the app is important, you may consider factory resetting your phone. This procedure will erase all data and settings on your device so make sure all important data is backed up before you proceed.

1. On Android:
   1. Open the "Settings" app.
   2. Scroll down and tap "System" and then "Reset options."
   3. Select "Erase all data (factory reset)" and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
2. On iPhone:
   1. Open the "Settings" app.
   2. Go to "General" and then select "Reset."
   3. Tap "Erase All Content and Settings" and follow the onscreen instructions.

Remember, only consider a factory reset after you’ve exhausted all other troubleshooting steps since this will erase all data on your device.

Conclusion

Mobile apps are integral to our daily activities, and it can be frustrating when they become unresponsive. By following these comprehensive troubleshooting steps, you can resolve most of the common issues and use your apps seamlessly. From closing and reopening the app to checking for updates, clearing the cache, and even contacting support, these steps cover a wide range of solutions. Keeping your phone and apps updated is important to prevent future problems and ensure smooth performance.

  Share This Article

If you find anything wrong with the article content, you can request an update