Many Google Messages users have taken to Reddit and Google’s support forums to complain about the app crashing repeatedly. The influx of reports seems to have begun following the latest Google Messages beta update (version 20250112_00_RCOO). Affected users note that the app doesn’t stay open for long and keeps crashing repeatedly. Furthermore, the problem seems to be present on devices from different companies, including Google and Samsung.
While I wasn’t able to replicate the bug initially on my Pixel 8, I noticed a post on Reddit wherein the OP and a commenter mentioned that the problem is triggered when you try sending a video through RCS. True enough, after I tried sharing a video, the app instantly crashed. If you try opening it again, it stays open for a few seconds before it crashes again.
You might even see an error pop up saying, “Messages keeps stopping.”
I was able to stop the app from crashing after clearing the app’s cache. However, this only offers temporary relief because the app starts crashing again if you try sending a video through RCS. The same goes for clearing the app’s data. Even after setting up the Messages app from scratch following the data purge, it’ll still start crashing once you attempt to share a video.
But not all hope is lost. Until Google rolls out a permanent fix, you can simply uninstall updates for the Messages app. To do this, head to the Play Store > search for Google Messages > open up the app’s page > tap on ‘Uninstall’. This will uninstall all updates and take you back to an older version of the app. To make sure it sticks, on the same Play Store page, tap the three-buttons on the top-right and uncheck the “Enable auto-update” option.
This fixed the problem for me and others have also noted the same results. In the meantime, we’ll have to wait for an update from Google to patch the bug causing the app to crash. Feel free to let me know if the suggested temporary fixed solved the problem for you.
Dwayne Cubbins
549 Posts
For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.
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