Late Saturday evening, numerous Android users encountered an unexpected inconvenience as their Google Search apps began crashing repeatedly. This issue primarily affected those attempting to utilize the search function, resulting in the app stopping abruptly with the message “Google keeps stopping.” As the problem persisted, the company confirmed a “service disruption” and assured users that they were diligently working to identify and resolve the underlying cause.
Update Provides Temporary Relief
Around 11:00 PM PT, some users reported that the Google app had resumed normal functionality, although the fix seemed temporary for others. Google’s team started at 23:07 PT, acknowledging the disruption and announcing that an update would be available within the next 12 hours. This proactive communication was aimed at alleviating user concerns and providing clarity on the ongoing efforts to stabilize the app’s performance.
Technical Troubles and Workarounds
The bug affected the Google app across various Android versions, including the latest stable (15.35) and beta (15.36) releases on Android 15, 14, and possibly earlier iterations. Devices from Google Pixel to Samsung Galaxy were impacted, showcasing the widespread nature of the issue. Despite the crashing app, Google Assistant, Google Lens, and other features like the Gemini app remained functional, offering users alternative avenues for search and interaction.
Interestingly, while the Google app faltered, accessing Google Search through Chrome on Android devices continued without interruption. This workaround provided a temporary solution for those needing immediate search capabilities.
Broader Implications and Comparisons
This incident echoes the 2021 WebView bug that similarly affected Android users, although, in this instance, only the Google app was impacted. This situation highlighted the app’s significant role in powering numerous services on Android devices, from voice search to location discovery. The ongoing functionality of other Google services like YouTube, Gmail, and Google Drive suggests that the issue was isolated to the Google app itself.
Community Feedback and Ongoing Developments
Users from various regions were encouraged to report their experiences, which helped Google in mapping the outage’s reach and severity. As the tech giant continues to work on a more permanent fix, the Android community remains hopeful for a swift resolution to avoid further disruptions in their daily digital interactions.
This incident underscores the challenges tech companies face in maintaining the reliability of their services, especially when widely used apps like Google Search encounter unexpected issues. As we await further updates, users are reminded of the importance of reporting such incidents to facilitate quicker resolutions and help improve the overall stability of the apps they rely on daily.
