If you’ve just installed the Android 16 beta and suddenly can’t control your smart lights or check your Nest camera, you’re not the only one. Users are reporting that the Google Home app keeps crashing or won’t open at all on the new beta software. The problem seems to hit mostly those who jumped on the Android 16 Beta 1 release, according to a post on Reddit’s r/android_beta community.
One user said the app instantly crashes every time they try to open it. In the comments, some found a quick fix by uninstalling and reinstalling the app, but it didn’t last. “It fixed it for me but only for a bit,” the original poster replied. Another user said reinstalling let them open the app once, but the crashing came right back.
Not everyone is dealing with the problem, though. A handful of users chimed in to say the app works perfectly fine on their Pixel 8 Pro or Pixel 9 Pro XL. I tried using the Google Home app on my Pixel 8 on the latest Android 16 build too and didn’t face any problem.
Others pointed out that bugs like this are part of the deal with beta software. “That’s why it’s a beta bro… Because the beta testers must test the apps,” one comment read. Still, frustration bubbled up over how Google’s own app could slip through untested.
For those stuck in crash-loop hell, a workaround popped up in a Google Issue Tracker thread. One user suggested asking Google’s Gemini assistant to “list my devices” as a temporary way to access smart home controls without opening the Home app. Google’s team has acknowledged the bug report and says they’re looking into it, but there’s no timeline for a fix yet.
If you’re relying on the Google Home app daily, you might want to hold off on installing the Android 16 beta for now. Beta software is always a gamble, and this serves as a reminder that even first-party apps can break. For those already in the beta, keep an eye on updates. Google typically rolls out fixes in later beta builds or app updates. But until then, you might have to get creative with workarounds — or just ask Gemini for help.