Solution for Crashing, Freeezing and Blank Screens
We’ve seen a huge increase in downloads over the past few weeks (30,000 + new downloads). With the increase in downloads comes an increase in support tickets. One of the most common support tickets is related to crashing, freezing and blank screens. We have FAQs that addresses these issues but I think it’s necessary to do a post to explain what’s happening in a little more detail.
When you purchased your device, you made sure to purchase one that had enough storage for your needs. Depending on what device you have, that could mean 8Gb, 16GB, 32GB or 64GB. The storage is exactly that – storage. It’s storage space for your applications, photos and information. Your device also has something called RAM or Random Access Memory. The RAM is the processing memory that’s used to run your applications. Different devices have different amounts of RAM. Newer devices have more RAM than older devices. For example, the 1st generation iPad has 256MB. The iPad 2 has 512MB of RAM. That’s double the amount of processing memory and speed.
So, what does this have to do with apps crashing and not working properly? A lot. Each app that you have open and running in the background is using processing memory (RAM). If you have a lot of apps open and running in the background at one time, they will use up all of your device’s available processing memory. This will cause apps to work improperly (freezing, blank screens… etc.) and crash as there is not enough RAM to process what you want them to do.
Let’s consider the following metaphor. Martha Stewart has a fabulous craft room *swoon*drool*. She has a ton of super organized drawers and shelves. The storage space on your device (8GB, 16Gb.. etc.) is similar to all of Martha’s super organized drawers and shelves. It’s used to store your applications, photos and information. She also has a great big waist-high table that she works her crafty magic on. The RAM on your device is similar to the surface space on Martha’s great big waist-high table. The bigger the surface space on the table, the more projects Martha can work on at one time. The same is true with RAM. The more RAM you have, the more applications you can have open and running at the same time. What happens if Martha had so many projects going on at one time that she ran out of surface space on her table? She’s have to put some away to make room for more, right? The same is true with the apps you have open and running on your device. When you exceed the RAM on your device, apps will run into performance issues and possibly crash.
Coolibah is a pretty big application and we’ve worked tirelessly to do everything we can to prevent issues related to processing memory. But the simple fact is, we cannot add processing memory to your device. So, if you’re experiencing issues like crashing, freezing and blank screens, then we recommend closing all unnecessary apps running in the background on your multitask enabled device. It’s pretty easy to do:
- Start from the home screen on your device.
- Double tap the home button on the device.
- This will open up a dock at the bottom of the screen.
- All the apps shown in the dock are currently running.
To close an app:
- Tap and hold on the icon (just like deleting an app from your device).
- It will start shaking.
- Tap on the “-”.
- Now the app is completely closed and not running in the background using up processing memory.
It’s probably a good idea to routinely check to see what apps you have open and running. That way you can use your device and apps to their full potential! I always make sure to check mine after one of my kids uses my iPad. Usually, I’ll find 15+ apps open and running!
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Closing apps!!! never knew this. great information. How can I use elements from scrappbooking kits I’ve purchased already? I have beautiful kits from Snickerdoodle Designs, that I’ve purchased over the last year or 2.