If you’ve noticed a bunch of Android app crashes recently, do this now

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If you’re an Android phone owner that’s suddenly experiencing app crashes, you’re not alone. Reports of crashes have been flooding onto the Samsung subreddit, but it’s not limited to just Samsung phones – Pixel, Motorola, and OnePlus owners are also saying they’re experiencing crashes.

While it seems newer Samsung devices like the Galaxy S20, S21, Note 20, A50, and A70 are more affected, that could just be due to how many newer handsets are still in daily use. Some owners of older handsets are also experiencing crashes, and it happens to almost any app, with no real link between developers.

Well, except one. It seems that Android’s System Webview app might be the culprit, as some users have experienced success by uninstalling the recent updates via the Google Play Store. That app adds an in-app Google Chrome viewer, so you don’t have to leave the app you’re in to view external webpage content. Probably something in the new version doesn’t like whatever customizations that Samsung has done to Android, so rolling back to an earlier version should stop the app crashes.

Here’s how to fix the recent app crashes on Android

While multiple Redditors saying that this method has worked for them, we can’t confirm that it will work for every handset out there. It’s probably worth trying though, if you’re experiencing app crashes. If it does work, and you start seeing app crashes again after a while, make sure that the Play Store hasn’t automatically reinstalled the faulty update.

Also, it is being reported that Google is pushing an update out for System Webview, so make sure to keep checking the Play Store for that.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.