10 Common Android App Crashes and How to Fix Them

In the world of Android app development, creating a high-performing, crash-free application is every developer’s ultimate goal. Yet, even the most carefully coded apps can sometimes fail unexpectedly. When that happens, users lose trust, ratings plummet, and retention drops sharply. In today’s competitive market, stability is just as important as design or features.

A single crash can push a user to uninstall your app within seconds. This is where understanding the root causes of crashes and applying robust solutions becomes essential. Whether you are developing your app in-house or working with a custom Android app development service, crash prevention should be an integral part of your development lifecycle.

In this article, we’ll explore the 10 most common Android app crashes, why they occur, and how to fix them effectively — ensuring your app delivers a seamless experience on every device.

Why Do Android Apps Crash?

Android apps can crash for a variety of reasons — poor coding practices, inconsistent device behaviour, memory constraints, or external API failures. Unlike iOS, the Android ecosystem is incredibly fragmented, with thousands of devices running different OS versions, screen sizes, and hardware configurations.

Even a minor oversight in coding or a missed compatibility test can lead to crashes. Typical causes include:

1. Null references or uninitialized objects
2. Memory leaks and inefficient resource management
3. Poor handling of background operations
4. Conflicts between libraries or dependencies
5. Inadequate testing on multiple devices

Understanding these causes is the first step toward building a stable, reliable, and crash-free Android app.

Crash #1: Null Pointer Exception

What It Is

The Null Pointer Exception (NPE) is one of the most frequent errors in Android app development. It occurs when your code attempts to access or modify an object that hasn’t been properly initialized — essentially, when your app tries to “do something with nothing.”

For example, trying to call a method on a null object or referencing a view before it’s created will instantly trigger a crash.

How to Fix It

Initialize variables properly: Always ensure that variables are initialized before they’re used.

1. Use Kotlin’s null-safety features: Kotlin offers built-in protection against nullability issues with ?. (safe calls) and !! (not-null assertions).
2. Add null checks: Check whether an object is null before using it.
3. Avoid assumptions: Never assume that data fetched from APIs, databases, or user inputs is always valid.

Example:
val userName: String? = null
println(userName?.length) // Safe call prevents crash

In Java, you can use defensive programming and validation to prevent these exceptions.

Crash #2: Out of Memory Error

Why It Happens

The *OutOfMemoryError *(OOM) occurs when your app tries to use more memory than the device can allocate. Android apps are limited to a certain amount of heap memory, and if your code exceeds this, the system terminates the app.

Common causes include loading large images, processing complex data sets, or holding onto objects longer than necessary.

Fix

Optimize image handling: Use libraries like Glide, Picasso, or Coil that handle image caching and resizing automatically.
Recycle unused objects: Call recycle() on bitmaps and release unused resources promptly.
Use memory profiling tools: Android Studio’s Memory Profiler helps you detect leaks and large allocations.
Avoid static references: Storing large data in static variables keeps them alive unnecessarily.
Use caching wisely: Store data efficiently using disk-based caches instead of memory-based ones.

Pro Tip: Monitor your app with LeakCanary to catch memory leaks during development.

Crash #3: Network On Main Thread Exception

Understanding the Issue

Android enforces strict UI-thread policies. When network operations (like API calls) are executed on the main thread, the app becomes unresponsive and may crash due to NetworkOnMainThreadException. This happens because the main thread is reserved for UI updates — blocking it with slow network operations causes the app to hang.

Fix

1. Use background threads: Move all network requests to background threads using AsyncTask, Executors, or Coroutines.
2. Adopt Retrofit or Volley: These libraries manage network requests asynchronously, simplifying your code.
3. Leverage Kotlin Coroutines: Write cleaner, safer asynchronous code using withContext(Dispatchers.IO).

Example:
CoroutineScope(Dispatchers.IO).launch {
val response = apiService.getUserData()
withContext(Dispatchers.Main) {
updateUI(response)
}
}

Crash #4: Incompatible Android Versions

Problem

Android’s open ecosystem means that new OS updates often introduce features that older devices can’t support. Using new APIs without checking OS compatibility leads to crashes on older Android versions.

Fix

1. Use backward compatibility libraries: Always rely on AndroidX libraries that ensure smooth functioning across multiple OS versions.
2. Add version checks: Use Build.VERSION.SDK_INT to verify the device’s OS before calling certain methods.
3. Extensive testing: Test your app across various devices and Android versions using Firebase Test Lab or emulators.

Example:
if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.TIRAMISU) {
// Execute new feature code
}

This ensures older devices skip incompatible functionality gracefully.

Crash #5: Poor Error Handling

Problem

Neglecting proper error handling can cause unhandled exceptions that abruptly terminate your app. Whether it’s a failed API call, missing file, or unexpected user input, poor handling leads to instability.

Fix

1. Use try-catch blocks: Catch exceptions gracefully and provide fallback actions.
2. Display meaningful messages: Instead of crashing, notify users with clear, user-friendly error messages.
3. Centralize error logging: Use Crashlytics, Timber, or Sentry for consistent error tracking.
4. Plan for failure: Assume that APIs may fail or return unexpected data.

Example:
try {
val result = apiService.getData()
} catch (e: Exception) {
Log.e("API Error", e.message ?: "Unknown error")
}

Crash #6: Database Corruption

Why It Happens

Databases can become corrupted due to improper closure, interrupted transactions, or device shutdowns during writes. When that happens, the app may crash during data access or insertion.

Fix

1. Use the Room Persistence Library: Room offers better lifecycle management and transaction handling.
2. Close connections properly: Always close database connections after use.
3. Implement backups: Periodically back up important data using export features.
4. Handle exceptions gracefully: Wrap database operations in try-catch blocks to manage failures.

Crash #7: UI Thread Blocking

Problem

If heavy operations like image rendering, file reading, or encryption run on the main thread, the UI freezes. Users may experience lag or see the dreaded “App Not Responding (ANR)” dialog.

Fix

1. Run heavy tasks off the main thread: Use Coroutine Dispatchers.IO or WorkManager.
2. Avoid complex loops or large data parsing in UI: Offload it to a background thread.
3. Use LiveData and ViewModel: Keep your UI reactive without blocking.

Example:
viewModelScope.launch(Dispatchers.IO) {
val result = performHeavyTask()
withContext(Dispatchers.Main) {
updateUI(result)
}
}

Crash #8: Configuration Changes

Problem

When a device’s orientation changes or a user switches languages, the activity is destroyed and recreated. If not handled properly, this leads to lost data or crashes.

Fix

1.Use onSaveInstanceState(): Preserve UI data before recreation.
2.Handle configuration changes manually: Add android:configChanges="orientation|screenSize|locale" in your manifest.
3.Store persistent data in ViewModel: ViewModels survive configuration changes and prevent data loss.

Crash #9: Uncaught Exceptions

Problem

Uncaught exceptions are fatal because they terminate your app without warning. These usually stem from unhandled code paths or missing validations.

Fix

1. Implement a global exception handler: Use Thread.setDefaultUncaughtExceptionHandler() to log unexpected crashes.
2. Use Crashlytics or Firebase Analytics: Capture and report real-world crashes automatically.
3. Perform regular maintenance: Review crash logs and resolve recurring issues proactively.

Crash #10: Third-Party Library Conflicts

Problem

Using multiple third-party libraries can lead to dependency conflicts — especially when different versions of the same library are required by different components.

Fix

1. Analyze dependencies: Run ./gradlew app:dependencies to detect version conflicts.
2. Keep libraries updated: Use stable releases and avoid deprecated libraries. 3.Minimize unnecessary dependencies: Use only what’s essential. 4.Use dependency resolution strategies: Gradle can help align mismatched versions automatically.

How a Custom Android App Development Service Helps Prevent Crashes

Partnering with a custom Android app development service provides a huge advantage in terms of quality assurance and stability. Professional developers follow coding standards, perform in-depth testing, and use monitoring tools to prevent potential crashes before release.

They also integrate continuous integration (CI) pipelines, automate testing, and conduct performance optimization for every build. This approach ensures your app runs seamlessly across various devices and Android versions.

A professional team doesn’t just fix crashes — they prevent them by using design patterns, memory optimization techniques, and rigorous QA checks.

Proactive Crash Prevention Techniques

Proactive Crash Prevention Techniques
Preventing crashes isn’t just about fixing bugs — it’s about building a culture of quality in your Android app development process.
Here are some proactive techniques:

1. Comprehensive testing: Perform unit, UI, and integration tests regularly.
2. Use automated tools: Employ Firebase Test Lab for cross-device testing.
3. Monitor analytics: Track crash trends using Firebase Crashlytics or AppDynamics.
4. Keep dependencies clean: Regularly update SDKs and remove unused code.
5. Optimize for performance: Monitor CPU, battery, and memory usage.

With consistent attention and smart development practices, you can minimize crashes and ensure long-term app success.

Conclusion

Crashes are inevitable during development, but they don’t have to be permanent. By understanding these 10 common Android app crashes and implementing their fixes, you’ll make your app more stable, efficient, and user-friendly.

Whether you handle development internally or rely on a custom Android app development service, the key is proactive testing, code optimization, and consistent monitoring. The result? An app that users trust — one that works flawlessly, every single time.

FAQs

1. What causes most Android app crashes?
Most crashes result from poor memory management, unhandled exceptions, or compatibility issues across devices.

2. How do I test my Android app for crashes?
Use automated tools like Firebase Test Lab, LeakCanary, and Android Profiler for real-time testing and debugging.

3. Can third-party libraries cause app crashes?
Yes. Version conflicts or deprecated APIs can trigger unexpected runtime failures.

4. How can a custom Android app development service help?
They provide end-to-end support — from QA testing and debugging to performance monitoring and app optimization.

5. What tools can I use to monitor crashes?
Firebase Crashlytics, Sentry, and Android Vitals are popular tools for tracking and fixing app crashes efficiently.