Devmont Digital Insights

Introduction

React Native has become a popular choice for mobile app development thanks to how easily it works across both Android and iOS platforms. By allowing developers to reuse code and speed up production, it helps businesses deliver apps faster without starting from scratch. But with that convenience comes a unique set of problems, especially when the app crashes unexpectedly on certain devices.

These glitches do more than frustrate users. They chip away at trust and can lead to poor ratings, unfavourable reviews, or fewer downloads. Most crashes can be pinned down to specific causes. The first step to fixing them across devices is understanding what’s triggering the issue in the first place.

Identifying The Causes Of Crashes

App crashes often feel random, with one user reporting a problem while another has no issues at all. In reality, most crashes stem from predictable sources. Knowing what typically goes wrong helps you better manage your React Native app from the start.

Common crash causes include:

• 1. Hardware differences

  Not all phones perform equally. Low-end devices might struggle to handle large media files, animations, or memory-heavy features. If your app runs fine on a flagship phone but crashes on an entry-level one, the problem could be related to limited RAM or processor speed.

• 2. OS version mismatches

  Android and iOS both have multiple versions running among users. Your app might behave perfectly on one version but fail on another. If it’s not tested or optimised for both older and newer versions, it could crash during specific actions or permissions workflows.

• 3. Third-party dependencies

  React Native apps often include external libraries. If these aren’t updated to support the latest system changes, they can interrupt smooth operations or even crash the app altogether.

• 4. Bad network handling

  If your app deals with live data, a weak or dropped internet connection can be disastrous. When your app isn’t prepared to manage network interruptions, it may freeze or crash—especially on screens that load data in real time.

• 5. Memory leaks and logic errors

  If your app holds on to memory unnecessarily or contains logic flaws in lifecycle methods, it could crash after extended use or under strain from user activity.

  For example, a travel booking app that allows users to upload several high-resolution photos might perform fine on a late-model iPhone but crash on low-end Android devices that can’t handle such files. Sometimes, all it takes is one uncaught bug or missed state clean-up to break the experience for users on specific devices.

  Spotting error trends that tie back to certain devices or OS versions allows for faster, more accurate fixes. Getting a clear look at what’s going on behind the scenes helps you build a much more stable app.

Best Practices To Prevent Crashes

While no app is completely crash-proof, applying consistent development practices helps reduce the risk. Instead of reacting to problems after they hit end users, better planning on the development side keeps the app more stable from the outset.

Here are several helpful practices:

• 1. Clean, readable code

  Organise code properly without unnecessary shortcuts. Smaller, manageable components are easier to debug and test. Using clear comments also helps future developers understand what’s happening.

• 2. PropTypes and TypeScript checks

  Validate data types that flow through your components. Making sure the right values are being passed minimises errors caused by unexpected or missing data.

• 3. Image and animation optimisation

  Large files and complex animations can crash lower-end phones. Use compressed images and test animations across a range of devices to see how well they hold up.

• 4. Proper state management

  Many crashes happen when state changes after a component is no longer active. Track and clean up states carefully to prevent accidental memory retention or invalid data access.

• 5. Pre-launch testing on real devices

  Simulators have their place, but nothing beats testing on actual hardware. Use a variety of models from low to high-end to identify weak spots that only show up under real-world conditions.

• 6. Use of supported libraries

  Rely on frequently maintained packages that adapt quickly to new OS versions. Old or unmaintained third-party plugins are more likely to malfunction or become incompatible.

• 7. Integrate logging and monitoring tools

  Platforms like Sentry or Bugsnag not only tell you when a crash happens, but also what was happening just before. This kind of insight makes bug reproduction and troubleshooting much easier.

  These practices don’t just prevent crashes—they make the app easier to update, expand, and support over time. A strong foundation means fewer surprises after launch.

Device-Specific Troubleshooting Tips

Even with best practices in place, devices respond differently. Hardware, screen size, RAM capabilities, and OS versions all affect how an app behaves. Taking time to understand devicespecific problems can significantly smooth the user experience.

Let’s start with Android. With a wide range of devices across budgets, Android presents some of the biggest variation.

Common crash sources include:

• Lower memory availability
• Manufacturer skin customisations
• Unique permission settings
• Background task restrictions

Always test your app on a set of devices representing high, medium, and low tiers. Observe how it behaves during common tasks such as switching apps, toggling network connections, and changing screen orientation.

For iOS, the device range is smaller, but crashes still occur. These issues typically stem from:

• Use of outdated APIs
• Incompatibility with newer iOS versions
• Permission handling failures (e.g., camera, Bluetooth, GPS)

Updates from Apple can break things quickly. Make sure your app stays current with system requirements and follows Apple’s types of user privacy guidelines. Avoid doing too much in the background, as this can lead to unexpected shutdowns.

Another problem to keep an eye on is version fragmentation. Users can be on systems both older and newer than the one you used to build the app. This mismatch can break features or reduce performance. It’s not always possible to support every version, but with monitoring and early testing against updates, major issues can be caught before release.

For instance, take an entertainment app that used a custom audio framework. It worked well on new iOS devices but crashed when older Android phones switched between Wi-Fi and mobile data. The cause turned out to be a third-party audio handler that wasn’t built for that transition. Replacing it with a native module resolved the problem across all devices.

Even nuanced settings—like how the phone manages local language, date entry fields, or keyboard overlays—can affect app stability. Maintaining logs of errors tied to these edge cases provides insight that improves the next version.

How Devmont Digital Can Help

Solving crash issues goes beyond just code changes. It requires hands-on experience, diverse testing, and an understanding of how changes in one part of the app might affect others. Devices in your users’ hands constantly shift in performance and setup. That’s why expert support makes a big difference.

At Devmont Digital, our team is skilled in detecting problems that others might overlook. We work with React Native at every level—from interface to backend—to build apps that adapt well to different environments. Our development process includes real-user testing flows and detailed crash tracking that go further than standard fixes.

Whether your team is stretched thin or unsure how deep an issue goes, working with us provides clarity. We don’t just fix what’s on the surface. Our team investigates full stack behaviour to nail down the source and build durable solutions. We optimise not just the features, but the structure of your app for durability across platforms.

React Native is a great tool, but without experienced professionals, it may leave your app more open to system changes, plugin issues, or performance gaps. When these show up as crashes, they shouldn’t be ignored or patched in isolation—they should be solved completely, with the future in mind.

Keep Your App Running Smoothly

Crash reports are frustrating, but they carry clues. Fixing them starts by listening to what your app and users are trying to tell you. Instead of guessing, track the real patterns behind those errors. Focus on better structure, proper testing routines, and staying up to date with system changes.

An app that runs well does more than please users—it earns trust. Developers who prioritise performance early save time and money later. If your app keeps crashing on different devices, it’s likely signalling that something in the code needs a deeper look.

With the right guidance and an approach that blends testing with proactive care, you can stop worrying about crashes and build apps that are ready for anything. Trust in maintenance, keep feedback loops open, and remember that every fix today adds stability for tomorrow.

To make sure your app performs well and stays crash-free, consider partnering with professionals who understand its complexities. Through our react native app development services, Devmont Digital can help you tackle challenges head-on, ensuring your app is reliable, efficient, and smooth across all platforms. Reach out to us to talk through your goals and keep things running the way they should.