Start with checks that cannot lose data
Do these before you clear storage or uninstall. Stop as soon as the app stays open.
- Restart the phone. A full restart clears a stuck process. If the crash stops, you are done.
- Free storage. Keep at least 1 GB free in Android Settings → Storage. A nearly full phone is a common reason GB WhatsApp Pro closes while opening media.
- Note when it closes. On startup, on one chat, after an update, or at random. The pattern picks the next step.
Match the fix to the crash
| When it closes | Try this first |
|---|---|
| Right after an update | Undo the last theme or font change, then reinstall the build that worked |
| Only one chat | Back up, then remove recent large files from that chat’s media |
| Every time you tap the icon | Remove a second WhatsApp or GB install, then install one build |
| Randomly, phone feels full | Free space and close other apps |
If the new APK installed and the crash started the moment you opened it, you are in the same situation as GB WhatsApp Pro that installs but will not stay open after an update. Roll back to the last build that ran, instead of clearing data on the broken one.
Before you clear data
Clearing data or uninstalling removes local chats that were never backed up. Do it only after a backup you can see inside the app, and only if the steps above failed. Confirm that backup finished with a local GB WhatsApp chat backup you can actually find before you remove the app.