Apps often crash after an Android update because the apps themselves have not been updated to match the new system, old cached data no longer fits, or a shared component like Android System WebView needs updating. To fix it, update all your apps and Android System WebView in the Play Store, clear the affected app's cache, and restart your phone. This resolves most post-update crashes.
Why this happens
A system update changes parts of Android that apps depend on. Until an app is updated too, small mismatches can cause it to close unexpectedly.
- The app has not yet been updated for the new Android version.
- Cached data or settings saved under the old system are now incompatible.
- App permissions or background limits changed during the update.
- Android System WebView or Chrome, which many apps use to show content, is out of date. A broken WebView has caused widespread app crashes in the past.
- Storage is nearly full, leaving apps no room to work.
Is this normal?
Some temporary instability right after a major update is common while apps and system components catch up. Frequent crashes that continue for days are not normal and usually point to a specific app, cache, or WebView issue you can fix.
Does it cause any problems?
Beyond the frustration of an app closing, you can lose unsaved work and repeated crashes may leave app data in a messy state. It rarely harms the phone itself, but it can make key apps unusable until fixed.
How to fix or check it
- Open the Play Store, tap your profile, Manage apps and device, and update all apps that have updates waiting.
- In the Play Store, search for Android System WebView and Chrome and update both, since many apps rely on them.
- Clear the crashing app's cache. Go to Settings, Apps, choose the app, Storage, and tap Clear cache. Try the app again before clearing data.
- If it still crashes, in the same Storage screen tap Clear data or Clear storage. This resets the app and you may need to sign in again.
- Restart your phone to let the new system settle.
- Free up storage if the device is nearly full, then retry.
- If nothing helps, uninstall and reinstall the app to get a clean copy built for the new version.
- Check Settings, System, for a pending patch, since makers often release a quick fix after a big update.
Frequently asked questions
Should I clear the cache or the data?
Start with Clear cache, since it keeps your logins and settings. Only use Clear data if clearing the cache does not stop the crashes, because it resets the app completely.
Could Android System WebView really be the cause?
Yes. WebView displays web content inside many apps, so when it is outdated or faulty, unrelated apps can crash at the same time. Updating it often fixes a wave of crashes at once.
Can I roll back the Android update?
Usually not. Android does not offer a simple built-in way to undo a system update, so the practical path is to update your apps and WebView and clear caches while waiting for any follow-up patch.