Smartwatches & wearables

Smartwatch app keeps crashing

A crashing app is almost always a software bug or storage issue specific to that app, not a sign the watch is failing.

Difficulty
Easy
Time
10–15 minutes
DIY cost
$0

Symptoms

  • One specific app closes itself repeatedly
  • App won't open at all, bouncing back to the watch face
  • Crash happens right after an update
  • Watch feels sluggish before the crash

Likely causes

  • CommonBug in that specific app's latest versionApp updates occasionally introduce new bugs before a fix ships.
  • PossibleLow storage or memory on the watchLimited watch storage can cause instability when running certain apps.
  • PossibleCorrupted app data or cacheCached data from before an update can conflict with new app versions.
  • Less commonIncompatibility with current watch firmwareAn app not yet updated for the newest watch software can crash.

What to do

  1. Force close the app and reopen it from the watch's app list.
  2. Restart the watch completely.
  3. Update the app to its latest version through the companion app's app store.
  4. Delete and reinstall the app, which clears any corrupted cached data.
  5. Check if other users report the same issue after a recent update, which points to a widespread bug rather than your device.
  6. Free up storage on the watch if it's nearly full.

When to call a pro

If the crash is isolated to one third-party app, contact that app's developer; if many apps crash, contact the watch manufacturer's support.

Safety

Generally low risk

Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.

Related guides

Operator provides AI-generated troubleshooting information. It can be wrong. For safety-critical, electrical, gas, structural, medical, automotive safety, or other high-risk problems, consult a qualified professional.