iOS 14.2: Apps Crashing Bug – iPhone Returns To Home Screen
Last updated on November 6th, 2021 at 07:22 am
Posted in Bug Fixes by Patricia on November 21, 2020Are apps unexpectedly crashing on your iPhone in iOS 14.2? This is a common occurrence and many apps seem to be affected. In fact, probably any application on your device might randomly close because this looks like an iOS generated bug and not an issue caused by the app itself.
The iOS 14.2 app crashing bug is suddenly closing the app that you’re using, bringing up the Home Screen instead. This happens for both stock and third-party apps. In fact, the app isn’t actually crashing, but more like self-closing. Because as soon as you open it back you can pick up from where you left off. The app isn’t force closed. It remains active in the background and available in the App Switcher.
How To Fix iOS 14.2 App Crashing Bug
We’ve noticed that the bug can be temporarily fixed by force closing the app or rebooting you iPhone or iPad. A permanent fix isn’t available at the moment and we most likely need a software update from Apple with an official solution.
1. Force Close App
As mentioned above, you can easily open the app back and resume with what you’ve been doing. However, if the app starts to automatically close too often, it can become annoying. In this case we suggest you save your edits, force quit the software and start fresh.
How To: Half-swipe-up from the bottom of the screen to bring up the App Switcher. Dismiss the card of the app in question to force close it. Return to the Home Screen or in the App Library and re-open the application.
2. Force Restart iPhone
The next step is to reboot your iOS device. Quickly press & release in succession: Volume Up, Volume Down and press & hold the Side Button until the Apple logo is displayed on the screen. Be patient until your device restarts.
Fact: Unfortunately, both options will only temporarily fix the iOS 14.2 app crashing bug.
3. Update To iOS 14.2.1
We’ve experienced this bug occurring on iPhone 12, 11 and XS devices. Apple has recently released iOS 14.2.1 with some important bug fixes, but the update is only available for iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max models. We haven’t experienced this bug since updating an iPhone 12 Pro to iOS 14.2.1. However, it’s too early for a final conclusion.
Updated (November 30)
4. Offload App
Apparently you can fix the app that’s crashing on your iPhone by offloading and reinstalling it:
- Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
- Browse for General -> iPhone Storage.
- Scroll for the app that’s unexpectedly closing and tap on its name.
- Use the Offload App option. Tap Offload App again
Fact: This will remove the app from your device, but save its documents and data. - Reinstall the app and the data will be recovered. Does this help?
Credits: This fix has been provided by our reader Rich W., in the comments section.
Is your iPhone also experiencing the iOS 14.2 apps crashing problem? Use the comments section and share your feedback. Do mention your device model and the iOS version. Did you find a better fix? Don’t hesitate to mention it.
Related: Other common bugs reported for iOS 14.2 are:
– Messages notifications bug that randomly prevents notifications for iMessages and regular SMS from getting triggered.
– iPhone keyboard lag when attempting to type Messages.
– Optimized battery charging for iPhone is automatically re-enabled after each iPhone restart or new charging cycle.
– Incoming call banner disappears and isn’t interactive. iPhone user can’t answer a call from the banner.
– iPhone speakerphone not working as it should, volume too low!
Email report:
Linda: “Iphone 8 plus started crashing apps and slow keyboard after upgrading to vrs 14.2”
iPhone XR apps, like Amazon, and a few 3rd party closing abruptly. Tried force close and reboot not luck!
Susan, can you pick up where you left off, or the app is completely closed (force closed) and you have to start over when you open it back?
Since updating to iOS 14.2 on my iPhone XS Max, I have had a big problem with apps crashing immediately on opening. For example, I haven’t been able to use the Collins Spanish-English dictionary at all.
Jim, have you tried to update all the way to iOS 14.2.1? This update is available for all iPhone 12 models. Let us know if the problem still persists.
Bought iPhone 12 in Feb 2021. Experiencing apps crashing😒 It happens more and more often within a day.
iPhone 11 Pro iOS 14.2 issue started after upgrade.
Only app that crashes is Facebook. For some periods of the day it stays open but then reverts to crashing again and will only stay open for about 30 sec (same period of time every time).
It is still open in the app switcher so it’s not completely closed but it does not hold my place.
Karen, thanks for sharing. What if you reboot your iPhone. Does it temporary fix it?
iPhone 7 all apps including the App Store and safari keep crashing since updating to iOS 14.2.
Holly, thanks for confirming. This should be fixed soon. We will update the website as soon as Apple releases a software update.
I’ve found a solution to solve this on the iPhone XR:
Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage
Scroll or search for the broken app
Press ‘Offload App’
Then press Reinstall App.
The app should then work again without crashing!
Rich, thanks for sharing this fix. We’ve updated it in the main article. Let’s see if other readers will confirm it. Thanks again for your contribution.
Thank you so much!!! I had two apps that had been immediately closing when I tried to open them. One is my garden notebook app that I was desperate to use now that it is planting season! This fix worked!! I can’t tell you how excited and grateful I am. So glad I found this!
Thanks for confirming that the fix worked for you.
iPhone 7 Plus, all apps such as Call of Duty, Google pay, Amazon, etc keep crashing and takes me back to home screen since updating to iOS 14.2.
Also there is no iOS 14.2.1 released yet…
Karthik, thanks for confirming. iOS 14.2.1 has been released a couple of weeks ago but only for the iPhone 12 models.
I have a 2016 iPhone SE. it’s my second one, I liked them so much. Since upgrading to 14.2, every time I try to reply to or forward an email or create a new email, it returns to home screen. Every time. I’ve closed the app, rebooted etc. Still doesn’t work. So now I have to use my pc to do emailing. I cannot offload the mail app, because I am afraid of what it will do to my contacts and notes. And to boot, last update I did before this one my phone app stopped showing contact names. I inly see the phone numbers. And, my iCloud stopped working and I lost all my iCloud notes. My phone is pretty much useless now. iPhones used to be so dependable. I don’t know what is happening these last couple of years. There’s no credibility anymore. Time to shop around.
Nancy, thanks for reporting this. I have just offloaded Mail, and reinstalled it to check it out for you. I’m still signed in after doing this, so the data should be safe.
Regarding to iCloud have you tried to sign out and back in to iCloud to see if it works?
iphond 7 apps crashing after 14.2
Thanks for confirming.
iphone 7plus facebook apps crashed it takes me back to home screen after 14.2
Thanks for confirming. This hasn’t happened for me so far in iOS 14.3 RC 2: https://www.iphonetricks.org/ios-14-3-release-candidate-2-software-update/ … will give it a bit more time though.
My 2 yr old iPad Pro running 14.2 has become unusable due to this problem. It happens in most every app. I didn’t shell out $500 to have to become an IT pro and spend hours remedying an issue. That used to be the value proposition of Apple…you pay a little more but you get a stable product. I am experiencing similar, but less severe, issues with my iPhone 11 Pro & MacBook Pro. My productivity is being adversely impacted. That is about $4k worth of expenditures resulting in an experience that is no better than if I went the Microsoft/Android route.
Craig, I fully understand your point of view and agree with your arguments. I’m sure that these glitches are temporary and Apple will fix them asap and bring back the premium experience.
The premium bill experience you’re talking about is still not back.
My 7plus has been experiencing this issue from November last year and I
Have restored the software deleted the apps and reinstalled. The same problem persists as I talk now. I’m running iOS 14.4 btw. whyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Thanks for sharing. Is it still occurring in iOS 15?
Continued problems since updating to 14.2 on my iPhone 8. I hope this is fixed soon because it’s so annoying that I’m close to switching to Android because my phone is almost unusable at this point. :(
Bethany, thanks for mentioning. Are all your apps crashing or you could spot one or more that are more prone to this bug?
This has been happening on my phone since i installed the iOS 13 beta . Its ridiculous that this us happening with no fix for so lomg
iphone 7 plus iOS 14.4.. apps crash ALL THE TIME. driving me insane. have tried everything except the offload so far.
Thanks for reporting. Offloading should fix this.
Offloading doesn’t fix it. I have been trying all methods for about 4-5 months now. Why do I have the phone then?
In this case you might wanna try Shannon’s fix: https://www.iphonetricks.org/ios-14-2-apps-crashing-bug/comment-page-1/#comment-45874
i was on with apple support a few times this week. last night they suggested i reinstall the OS. so far, no more crashes. they said if you initially update over a slow network it can introduce problems in the codebase that get compounded with each update. so far.. so good. HTH. here are the instructions: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201252
Thanks for sharing this shannon!