Symptoms
- App closes immediately after opening
- 'App has stopped' style error message
- App worked before a ChromeOS or app update
- Other apps run fine
Likely causes
- CommonOutdated app versionAn app not updated for current ChromeOS behavior can crash on launch.
- CommonCorrupted app cache or dataCached data can become corrupted and cause repeated crashes.
- PossibleLow memory from too many open appsAndroid apps compete for the same limited RAM as browser tabs.
- PossibleApp not optimized for Chromebook/ChromeOSSome Android apps are designed for phones and behave unpredictably on larger screens or ChromeOS.
What to do
- Open the Play Store, search for the app, and install any available update.
- Go to Settings > Apps > [app name] > Storage, and clear cache first, then data if the crash continues.
- Restart the Chromebook to free up memory and close other running apps.
- Uninstall and reinstall the app if clearing data didn't help.
- Check the app's Play Store reviews for reports of similar Chromebook-specific issues.
- If the app is known to be phone-only and unsupported on ChromeOS, look for a web-based alternative instead.
When to call a pro
Not applicable; this is an app compatibility issue, not something a repair shop addresses.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.