Fix Microsoft Apps Crashing on iPad and iPhone After iOS Update
Question details
Users are unable to use Microsoft Office applications on their Apple mobile devices because the apps close immediately upon launching.
- Product
- Microsoft Office Apps (OneNote, Word, Excel)
- Device & OS
- iOS / iPadOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to open or use Microsoft productivity applications shortly after installing an iOS system update.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft apps such as OneNote crash and close immediately upon opening. The issue persists even after deleting and reinstalling the applications.
Ensure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection and your Apple ID password ready, as you may need to download app and system updates from the App Store.
Install Latest System and App Updates
Updating both your iOS device and the Microsoft apps ensures compatibility with the latest Apple system frameworks.
App crashes after an iOS update are usually caused by compatibility issues between the new operating system and older app versions. Installing subsequent patch updates from both Apple and Microsoft often resolves these software conflicts.
Go to 'Settings' > 'General' > 'Software Update' on your iPhone or iPad. If a newer iOS patch is available, tap 'Download and Install'.
Open the App Store, tap your profile icon at the top right, and scroll down to see pending updates. Tap 'Update' next to OneNote, Word, Excel, or simply tap 'Update All'.
Go to 'Settings' > 'General' > 'iPhone/iPad Storage'. Ensure you have at least a few gigabytes of free space, as critically low storage can cause heavy apps to crash on launch.
Turn off your device completely by holding the power button and volume button, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Launch the Microsoft app again to test.
Contact Microsoft Support for Escalation
If updates and reinstalls fail, the compatibility issue may require a bug fix directly from Microsoft developers.
Use WPS Office When Microsoft Apps Keep Crashing on iOS
If Microsoft Office apps continue to crash on your iPhone or iPad after an update, WPS Office is a lightweight, reliable, and completely free alternative. It offers full compatibility with Microsoft formats, allowing you to keep working on your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations without frustrating interruptions.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad, search for 'WPS Office', and download the application for free.
- 2. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office, grant file access permissions, and open your existing Microsoft Office files directly from your local Files app or linked cloud drive.
- 3. Edit and Save seamlessly: Use the familiar mobile editing tools to update your documents, and save them exactly in their original Microsoft formats to maintain formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Microsoft apps crash immediately after an iOS update?
Major iOS updates often introduce changes to the system's underlying code and memory management. If an app has not been fully optimized for these new changes, it may experience software conflicts that cause it to force-close upon launch.
Will deleting and reinstalling a crashing app delete my files?
If your documents are saved to a cloud service like OneDrive, iCloud, or SharePoint, they are safe and will sync once you log back in. However, any files saved purely locally within the app's folder on your device might be permanently deleted when you remove the app.
How can I access my documents if the Microsoft apps refuse to open?
You can access your cloud-saved documents by logging into OneDrive via your Safari browser, or by downloading a highly compatible alternative office suite like WPS Office and linking it directly to your cloud storage.
Is it normal for reinstalling an app to not fix the crashing issue?
Yes. If the crashing is caused by an inherent bug in the app's code interacting poorly with the new iOS framework, reinstalling the exact same buggy version will not resolve the issue. You must wait for a newly updated patch version from the developer.
