If YouTube keeps crashing or won’t open on your iPhone 8, you’re not alone. Plenty of users run into this issue—especially after an iOS update. Whether it’s due to a buggy app version, a settings conflict, or iOS itself acting up, there are several ways to get YouTube working smoothly again.
Try the fixes below one by one until the app runs normally.
1. Force Quit YouTube and Restart Your iPhone
Crashing issues often start with temporary glitches. A quick refresh of both the app and system can work wonders.
To close YouTube:
- Double-press the Home button to bring up the app switcher.
- Find YouTube, then swipe it up to close it.
To restart your iPhone 8:
- Hold the Side button until “slide to power off” appears.
- Drag the slider to turn off the phone.
- Wait about 30 seconds, then press and hold the Side button again to turn it back on.
Launch YouTube again and check if it still crashes.
2. Update the YouTube App
Outdated apps can misbehave—especially after an iOS update.
To check for updates:
- Open the App Store.
- Tap your profile icon in the top right.
- Scroll down to see pending updates.
- If YouTube is listed, tap Update next to it.
Make sure to update all apps regularly to avoid compatibility issues.
3. Delete and Reinstall YouTube
Sometimes the app’s cache or data gets corrupted, and there’s no built-in option on iOS to clear it. Reinstalling is the fastest way to start fresh.
To delete YouTube:
- Tap and hold the YouTube app icon.
- Tap the X or Remove App, then confirm with Delete App.
To reinstall:
- Open the App Store, search for YouTube, and tap Download.
Launch the app after reinstalling and see if it works without crashing.
4. Reset All Settings
If you recently changed some settings or installed a new update, something might be conflicting with the app.
To reset all settings:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.
- Enter your passcode if prompted.
- Confirm the reset.
This won’t delete your data, but it will reset Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth pairings, and preferences to factory defaults.
5. Do a Factory Reset (Last Resort)
If nothing else works, a deeper iOS issue could be causing the crash. A full reset wipes your iPhone clean and starts over.
Before you reset:
- Back up your data to iCloud or iTunes.
To factory reset:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
- Enter your passcode and confirm.
You can also use iTunes on a computer if you prefer to restore your iPhone that way.
If YouTube still won’t stay open after all this, you might be dealing with a widespread app issue. Keep an eye out for updates, or contact YouTube Help to report the problem.