Android Apps Using ‘Android System WebView’ Are Crashing for Some Users (Google Promises a Prompt Fix)

• Apps relying on 'Android System WebView' are experienced technical issues right now, causing a number of Android apps to crash. 
• Google has posted updates via the Play Store, fixing the Gmail app at least.
• As a solution, you are advised to disable both 'Android System WebView' and Chrome.

During the last 24 hours, we’ve seen numerous reports online posted by Android users experiencing a range of strange glitches. More precisely, several Android apps are crashing a couple of seconds after they’re opened, making them non-functional at the moment. There’s no specific list of the affected apps, but it looks like any app using Android System WebView could misbehave right now (and yes, that includes even the Gmail app). 

That also means 'Android System WebView' is the culprit of this latest widespread issue with Android applications. We’re talking here about an Android system component in charge of presenting Web content, which comes as an integral part of numerous apps. That component receives regular updates (mostly in the background), so a faulty update seems like the most probable reason your Android apps might be crashing right now. 

As noted by some Android phone manufacturers, a temporary solution to this issue is to disable 'Android System WebView' on your device. You can do that by using this link – Android System WebView, which should open the app’s overview via the Play Store on your device. Then, tap on the 'Uninstall' button to disable the latest update. 

Other users have found a solution in disabling Google Chrome as well. Use the provided link to get to Google’s support page outlining the required procedure, instructing you to use the Settings app on your Android device. Alternatively, you can also uninstall/disable Google Chrome from the Play Store itself (Play Store Home Page > My Apps & Games > Installed > Chrome > Uninstall).

And finally, as per Google’s Workspace Status Dashboard, a new update should be on your way right now, resolving the problem with the Gmail app crashing. More precisely, two new updates are being rolled out right now for both Chrome and Android WebView, so make sure to keep your eye on the Play Store and update those two apps. Hopefully, this solution will also resolve problems with other apps, as Gmail is just one of the affected applications.