Fix an installed app that isn't working on a Pixel phone
Try the following steps if an app installed on your phone has any of these problems:
- Crashing.
- Won’t open.
- Won’t respond.
- For web-based apps like Google Maps, make sure your phone has a stable internet connection.
- 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.
Step 1: Restart & update
- Restart your phone.
- On Pixel 5a and earlier: Press and hold the Power button for about 30 seconds, or until your phone restarts.
- On Pixel 6 and later, including Fold: Press and hold the Power button + Volume up button for a few seconds.
- Tap Restart 👁 Image
.
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Near the bottom, tap System 👁 and then
Software update. - When the update status appears on your screen, follow the steps.
- Open the Google Play Store app 👁 Google Play
. - At the top right, tap the profile icon.
- Tap Manage apps & devices.
- Under "Updates available," choose to update all apps or a specific app.
Step 2: Check for a larger app issue
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap Apps 👁 and then
See all apps. - Tap the app 👁 and then
Force stop 👁 and then
OK.
Tip: If problems continue after you've force stopped the app, you could need to contact its developer. Learn how to contact a developer.
Clearing cached data can free up needed space by removing temporary files. This is a short-term solution. Over time, cached data will build up again.
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap Apps 👁 and then
See all apps. - Tap the app.
- Tap Storage & cache 👁 and then
Clear cache.
Caution: Any data saved in this app will be erased.
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap Apps 👁 and then
See all apps. - Tap the app.
- Tap Storage & cache 👁 and then
Clear storage or Clear data 👁 and then
OK.
Caution: This is for Pixel essential apps that can't be uninstalled. Any data saved in this app will be erased.
- Touch and hold the app.
- Tap App info.
- Tap More 👁 Image
👁 and then
Uninstall updates 👁 and then
OK.
Tip: Test the app once you uninstall the updates. You can get the latest update again from Google Play.
- 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.
Important:
- Any data saved in this app will be erased.
- This doesn’t work for Pixel essential apps.
- Touch and hold the app.
- Tap Remove App 👁 and then
Delete App. - To confirm, tap Delete.
Tip: If you want to use the app again, you can try to reinstall it. Learn how to reinstall apps.