Since late Monday, several Android apps have been mysteriously crashing for users all over the world. Google, has now resolved the problem by issuing swift updates to both Chrome and Android System WebView.
For people all over the world, some Android apps were mysteriously crashing. The issue began on Monday afternoon and lasted for several hours before Google was notified. The apps were crashing due to a flaw in the Android System WebView component, which is present on all Android devices.
Google was quick to recognize the problem and began working on a solution. In an earlier statement to The Verge, Google said, “We are aware of an issue with WebView causing some apps on Android to crash for some users,”
“We are currently working to fully validate the scope and a fix is in progress,” Google added.
Several Android apps were affected by the issue. Apps like Amazon and even Google’s own Gmail app crashed as soon as they were opened in our tests, with no crash reports displayed. Uninstalling and reinstalling the apps did not seem to fix the problem.
Soon after, some of the users on forums recommended that the most recent Android System WebView update was to blame for the crashes, and that uninstalling the update by going into your phone’s settings would resolve the problem.
Damage Control Exercise
Google has since fixed the issue and said in a statement “We have resolved the issue with WebView that caused some apps on Android to crash for some users. Updating Android System WebView and Google Chrome via Google Play should now resolve the issue,”
The crashing apps issue can now be easily resolved by upgrading the Android System Webview app to version 89.0.4389.105 from the Play Store. Users may also upgrade Google Chrome to the most recent version after this is completed. These two steps should immediately stop the app from crashing.