The buggiest apps of 2024

May 21, 2024

By Kim Komando

When I saw this, I knew I had to share it with you. Researchers over at Electronics Hub did the thankless work of going through 400 of the most-used apps on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store and thousands of user reviews — all to find the buggiest, most frustrating-to-use apps.

Take a look at this list, and remember: Sometimes, it’s not about you not knowing how to use your phone; it’s the apps. 

Someone call pest control

Here are the worst app offenders of 2024:

• Shopping: Convenience chain Wawa’s app topped the list, with issues on order pickups and redeeming fuel points. Other big brands have big app bugs, too; the Target, Best Buy and CVS Pharmacy apps all ranked among the worst.
• Dating: If you’re trying to find a match on Grindr, it’s the glitchiest of the dating apps and has frequent messaging issues.
• Food and drink: Craving a late-night burrito? You should probably hit the Taco Bell drive-thru. The fast-food chain’s app was the buggiest, with the Wendy’s, Sonic and Chick-fil-A apps right behind.
• Social: Many people say the latest updates for Amino, a social app for niche interests, don’t actually fix bugs. Telegram is really bad, too — not what you want from a “privacy-focused.” app.
• Gaming: Anyone still playing Pokémon GO? If so, the app crashes shortly after launching or when you open an in-game map.
• Productivity: The prize goes to GTL’s GettingOut app, which is used to communicate with loved ones in prison. The app regularly freezes and has issues sending and receiving pics. Business apps Notion and Google Docs ranked high on the list for this category, too. 🙄
• Banking and finance: Drum roll, please … the Go Program Way2Go Card app isn’t just the buggiest finance app — it’s the buggiest app overall. Not cool. It’s used by state governments to deliver child support payments and unemployment benefits. The Navy Federal Credit Union app came in second. Yeesh.

Squash those bugs

Before you delete that buggy app and throw your phone out the window, try a force restart. 

• On Android: Hold your finger on the app’s icon and click the “i“ in the top right corner of the pop-up. Then, click Force Stop in the bottom right. 
• On iPhone: Swipe up on the problem app to close it, then tap its app icon to relaunch it.

Didn’t work? Restart your phone. Failing that, I have a bunch more tips here on my site here.

Android

• Sync your phone with Google’s servers. Go to Settings > System > Date and Time. Turn off the automatic time zone and date and time settings, change the time and date to be incorrect, and then turn the automatic date and time settings back on.
• Make sure your phone has the latest updates installed. Go to Settings > System > Advanced > System Update to check.
• Make sure you’re using the latest version of the app. Go to Manage Apps and Devices to check.
• Clear the app’s cache and data. Go to Settings > Apps, then choose the app that’s having issues. On the next page, select Storage.
• Delete the app from your phone, then reinstall it. 

Apple

• Restart your device. 
• Make sure your phone is running on the latest update. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check. 
• To update an app, go to the App Store and tap the profile icon to check.
• Delete the app from your phone and download it again from the App Store.

You could also leave a scathing review … or contact the app’s developer. 

Both Android and Apple users can find contact details under the App support heading in the Google Play or Apple Stores to report bugs. It might be the lesser of two weevils … 😅