If you’ve been battling the Google Home app crashing on Android 16 beta, there’s finally some good news. A few days after we first reported the problem, users are sharing a fix that actually works.
Last week, folks who installed the Android 16 beta started noticing the Google Home app would crash immediately or get stuck in a loop. Uninstalling or clearing the app’s cache only helped temporarily. Now, multiple users say updating Google Play Services to version 25.03.32 solves the issue.
One user on the Google Issue Tracker shared how they sideloaded the latest Play Services APK from a site like APKMirror, rebooted their Pixel 8, and suddenly the Home app worked again. Others chimed in to say the same fix worked for them. Another user mentioned enrolling in the Google Play Services beta program to get the update officially, and then clearing the Home app’s cache and storage.
A Redditor also suggested the same beta program trick. Several replies confirmed it worked, with one person calling the tip a “lifesaver.”
It’s worth noting the bug affected enough people to rack up 300 votes on Google’s Issue Tracker. While not everyone on the beta faced the problem, those who did were stuck without a way to control their smart home devices.
If you’re not comfortable tinkering with APKs or beta programs, you might want to wait for an official update. Google hasn’t confirmed a timeline yet, but the growing success of this workaround suggests a permanent fix is on the way.
Dwayne Cubbins
3060 Posts
I cover fast-moving stories across apps, online platforms, and everyday tech — phones, wearables, consoles, and whatever else people are fighting with this week. Bugs, rollouts, scams, policy enforcement, and the occasional internet-culture rabbit hole are all fair game. My goal is simple — make confusing tech news readable. When I'm not working, I'm working out or chilling with my dog. Got a tip? You can find me on X @dcubbins.
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