Symptoms
- Screen goes black or returns to home screen mid-call
- Call app freezes and becomes unresponsive
- Phone restarts unexpectedly during a call
- Issue happens more with a specific app like a VoIP service
Likely causes
- CommonSoftware bug in the calling appOutdated or buggy app versions can crash unexpectedly, especially during resource-heavy actions like calls.
- CommonLow phone storage causing instabilityA nearly full phone can struggle to run apps reliably, leading to crashes.
- PossibleOverheating during extended useA phone running hot from other tasks can shut down apps or restart to cool down.
- PossibleConflicting app or system update issueA recent update to the OS or app may have introduced a compatibility bug.
- Less commonFailing battery causing unexpected shutdownsA battery that can't maintain power under load can cause the phone to restart during a call.
What to do
- Check available storage in Settings and delete unused apps, photos, or videos if space is low.
- Update the calling app to its latest version from the app store.
- Update the phone's operating system if an update is available.
- Let the phone cool down if it feels warm before making another call.
- Restart the phone to clear temporary software issues.
- Uninstall and reinstall the calling app if crashes are limited to that app.
- Check battery health in Settings to rule out a failing battery causing shutdowns.
- If crashes continue across multiple apps after these steps, consider a factory reset or professional diagnostic.
Tools and parts
Replacement batterySearch: “phone battery replacement”
When to call a pro
If crashes continue after updates, storage cleanup, and a restart, a technician can check for a failing battery or deeper software issue.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.