Facebook App Crashing? Fixes for Android and iPhone That Work

There's nothing more irritating than the Facebook app closing on you halfway through a post, a message to a client or a quick scroll. If it keeps happening, the good news is that Facebook's own help pages give a short, sensible list of fixes, and most people get sorted by the first three.

I'll go through them in the order Facebook gives them, quick checks first. Facebook's help pages don't name a single cause for crashes, so I won't guess at one. Instead I'll show you how to rule things out one at a time, and when to tell Facebook about it.

Where the Facebook app crash shows up and what to try first

Crashes tend to look like the app closing suddenly, freezing and then shutting, or throwing you back to your home screen. Facebook's troubleshooting page covers this under something not working, for example content not appearing or a selection not loading. The first thing it says on a phone is to update the app.

Updating the Facebook app on Android

Facebook's help page for Android says to make sure you have the most up-to-date version of the Facebook for Android app before anything else. To update:

1. Open the Play Store, or download the newest version directly from Facebook.
2. If there's a newer version of the Facebook app than the one you have, it'll be listed there for you to download.
3. If you're having trouble downloading, check your internet connection. For best results, connect to Wi-Fi first.

The help page also names the Facebook Lite app, so if you use Lite, update that one too.

Updating the Facebook app on iPhone and iPad

For iPhone or iPad, the troubleshooting page also starts with updating the app and checking you're on a reliable data or Wi-Fi network. If you can't download the update, Facebook gives a longer list:

1. Check how much space is free: tap Settings, then General, then iPhone or iPad storage. If space is low, uninstall apps you don't use, then try the download again.
2. Check your internet connection. For best results, connect to Wi-Fi and retry.
3. Cancel and restart the download.
4. Log out of Facebook, then try the download again.
5. Review Apple's tips for troubleshooting download issues.
6. Uninstall the Facebook app, restart your phone and install it again from the App Store.

Checking your connection when the Facebook app crashes

A shaky connection can make an app misbehave, and Facebook lists it as a check on both Android and iPhone. Make sure you're on a reliable data or Wi-Fi network. If you're on Wi-Fi, try mobile data for a minute, or the other way round, and see whether the crashing changes.

Closing and reopening the Facebook app, then restarting your phone

These two are the classic fixes, and Facebook lists them for iPhone, iPad and Android in this order:

1. Close the Facebook app completely, then open it again.
2. Restart your device.

Restarting clears out whatever else is running, and it's the step I'd always do before reinstalling anything.

Freeing storage space for the Facebook app

Facebook's download and update help says to check your device's storage space to make sure you've got enough room for the app. If your phone is nearly full, apps can struggle, and updates may not install. Clear out old videos, screenshots and apps you've stopped using, then update and try again.

Checking your phone's system updates and supported software

The help page for downloading or updating the app says to check for system updates in your device settings, so the Facebook app is running on the latest version of your phone's software. There's also a Help Centre article on which operating systems the Facebook app supports.

It explains what happens when your phone's software is no longer supported. You can keep using the app, but you won't get further updates or new features, and over time you may notice slow performance or other issues. You also won't be able to update the app to fix them. Facebook recommends using a device with supported software, and I'd check that list for your exact phone rather than rely on a number from me, since the supported versions change.

Deleting and reinstalling the Facebook app

If nothing so far has worked, Facebook's advice is to uninstall the app, restart your device and reinstall it from your device's app store. Before you do, make sure you remember your login details, because you'll need to sign in again. If you've forgotten them, sort that first.

Using Facebook on a computer while the app keeps crashing

Facebook's own help page reminds you that if you can't use the app, you can use Facebook on a computer at facebook.com, and you can chat with other people by visiting facebook.com/messages. If you manage a Page for work, that keeps you posting while you fix the phone. If you're curious what you can look back through on a computer, my note on Facebook watch history is a good place to start.

Reporting a Facebook app crash to Facebook

If the problem carries on after these steps, it could be a bug or a broken feature. Facebook says you can report it:

• On iPhone or Android, shake your phone, then follow the on-screen instructions.
• On a computer or iPad, go to Help and support and select Report a problem.

Add a screenshot and a short description of what you were doing when it crashed. Facebook says details like these help it find the problem. It's useful to keep the app updated before you report, so you're describing the latest version. If your trouble is mostly with one feature, such as finding saved reels on Facebook, name that feature in your report.

For the rest of the series, see the Facebook Help: 80 Guides to Pages, Groups, Ads, Stories and Fixes.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the Facebook app keep crashing?

Facebook's help pages don't name one cause. They point you to updating the app, checking your connection, closing and reopening it, restarting your device, freeing space and reinstalling.

How do I fix the Facebook app crashing on Android?

Update it from the Play Store, check your Wi-Fi or data, close and reopen the app, restart your phone and, if needed, uninstall and reinstall it.

How do I fix the Facebook app crashing on iPhone?

Update the app, check your network, close and reopen it, and restart your iPhone. If the download fails, check storage, log out, retry, or reinstall from the App Store.

Will an old phone cause Facebook to crash?

Facebook says that once your operating system is no longer supported you can keep using the app but won't get updates, and you may see slow performance or other issues over time.

How do I report the Facebook app crashing?

Shake your iPhone or Android phone and follow the on-screen instructions, or on a computer or iPad use Help and support, then Report a problem.