Google Messages crashing for some Android users

As of Thursday afternoon, some Google Messages users are having the app crash a few seconds after opening.

For those impacted, launching Google Messages to the homepage (conversation list) closes the app after a few seconds.

Curiously, they can successfully reply to notifications or use the chat head/bubble.

This is happening with the latest beta (version 20250805_00_RC00) released yesterday, with reports from Android 16 (and 16 QPR1) on Pixel and Samsung phones. Not all users are impacted.

Basic troubleshooting steps like restarting the device or clearing cache does not help. Some have had luck going to App info and uninstalling updates from the three-dot overflow menu in the top-right corner. Reinstalling the update resolves the problem. Doing this will not wipe your message history.

More on Google Messages:

Google Messages has a new text/chat Details page

Google Messages on Wear OS getting Material 3 Expressive redesign

Google Messages testing RCS’ new MLS encryption

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