Electrum crash on Android

[bhairya]

Hello,

I've been searching for the right wallet solution and came across Electrum. My main requirement are multicoin, Android, Linux. While Electrum doesn't satisfy the multicoin, I decided to try it out for BTC. Installed it on my Samsung Note Android phone to test it out. The weird thing is that it works for a day or 2 and then refuses to start, just keeps crashing whenever I click on the icon. I've cleared cache, data multiple times and even reinstalled it a few times with the same result. I'm still playing with it on Linux and it seems to be fine.

Anyone have any ideas on why this may be happening? I don't want to use different wallets on my phone and computer. I'd like to build my own cold USB wallet instead of using one of the available hardware wallets out there. Electrum would fit the bill there, I think. Thanks!

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[Charles-Tim]

It works fine on my Android, maybe the OS is not updated and old version some kind. I remember some years ago when I was using Windows phone, there are some app I will download on it but having the same problem, all I did that time was to update from Windows 8.0 to windows 8.1 and it worked fine. I do not know of android as I run the latest Android OS always, but might also be the cause. If you Android is long to be undated, try and update it and see if the error will not happen again. Normally, electrum wallet works good on Android.

[sheenshane]

I tend to agree with the comment above, just try to update the OS version on your android, it might be not working properly because the system you've used is outdated.  Or another suggestion, it might you have a "privacy guard" in your android or anti-virus app that might be blocking the Electrum app, you can also check that.

However, based on my own experienced.  I didn't like using android when opening my Electrum wallet, I'm much more confident if I open my Electrum on my Laptop/Desktop.  Therefore, I recommend to use your desktop instead of your mobile android phone.

[bitbollo]

probably your device or firmware require an update?
If you're not making a lot of payments directly with your phone it's better that you adopt a cold wallet or a desktop solution for your wallet.
it's safer and best option for crypto management.
about a cold wallet take a look here www.glacierprotocol.org you will find some very useful resources and idea for the safest wallet possible.

[bhairya]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions, guys.  I don't have any anti-virus app installed but there is Knox running, of course, so some security stuff. I don't know why that should be killing it but I can't see anything to confirm. I'm running Android 11 on my Note 20 so I think I'm pretty up to date. I haven't encountered this type of issue on any app before that I can remember.

[NotATether]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions, guys.  I don't have any anti-virus app installed but there is Knox running, of course, so some security stuff. I don't know why that should be killing it but I can't see anything to confirm. I'm running Android 11 on my Note 20 so I think I'm pretty up to date. I haven't encountered this type of issue on any app before that I can remember.

Knox is probably not the culprit. I found that the build script for Electrum is still using Android SDK 29.0.3, while Android 11 has API 30 which would require SDK version 30 too. I think what's happening is that since the Electrum app wasn't built for Android 11, it's not working on Android 11 devices. If other people here confirm this then you can try submitting a Github issue on their repository to use the newer SDK version.

[BitMaxz]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions, guys.  I don't have any anti-virus app installed but there is Knox running, of course, so some security stuff. I don't know why that should be killing it but I can't see anything to confirm. I'm running Android 11 on my Note 20 so I think I'm pretty up to date. I haven't encountered this type of issue on any app before that I can remember.

Can you try to install the apps not from the Playstore instead directly on electrum.org.

You can download it from here https://download.electrum.org/4.0.9/

There are two option try the arm64 v8a and test if it won't crash but if it doesn't work uninstall it again and try the armeabi v7a version let see which one will work on note 20.

[Oshosondy]

...

You have electrum on computer already, why having it on phone again. Which means you have one online wallet on two device, this will reduce the security. I will advice you to operate the wallet on one device, operating it on computer is the best.

...

The little review I know about Samsung Knox is that it is a military defense grade secure system that protects against malware and other things that can lead to attacks. If a antivirus can disturb the installation of electrum, hope Samsung Knox can not?

[bhairya]

Have tried both version from the site as well as from Google Play. It doesn't even run now. Previously, it would run for a couple of days or so before crashing. Also want to add that I have Trust wallet, metamask and Blockstream's green wallets installed with no issues.

Thanks for the replies and suggestions, guys.  I don't have any anti-virus app installed but there is Knox running, of course, so some security stuff. I don't know why that should be killing it but I can't see anything to confirm. I'm running Android 11 on my Note 20 so I think I'm pretty up to date. I haven't encountered this type of issue on any app before that I can remember.

Can you try to install the apps not from the Playstore instead directly on electrum.org.

You can download it from here https://download.electrum.org/4.0.9/

There are two option try the arm64 v8a and test if it won't crash but if it doesn't work uninstall it again and try the armeabi v7a version let see which one will work on note 20.

[Oshosondy]

Have tried both version from the site as well as from Google Play. It doesn't even run now. Previously, it would run for a couple of days or so before crashing. Also want to add that I have Trust wallet, metamask and Blockstream's green wallets installed with no issues.

I think reiterate my advice will worth it, maybe it can be as a result Samsung Knox, but I am not exactly sure. It is not also good to have a single wallet on two or more devices. Having it on only one device is better. If you have it on more device, the security is already getting wicker because malware can be from anywhere, I believe you will use one of these device very well for browsing, which can be your phone. Having the electrum on computer is better for security reasons, you will also experience the best of electrum from computer not phone.

[Abdussamad]

you should file a bug report on github about it:

https://github.com/spesmilo/electrum/issues

[NotATether]

maybe it can be as a result Samsung Knox.

Not trying to sound harsh but it's not Samsung Knox or else Electrum would crash on all Samsung Galaxy flagships made since the S3 (which is clearly not the case). Stop reiterating that.

you should file a bug report on github about it:

https://github.com/spesmilo/electrum/issues

Yeah do this. If your phone made some kind of crash report then put it on a pastebin and include that too. It sounds like an Electrum bug at this point.

[Pmalek]

I think the problem might be with your Android 11 OS. I have found various reports of people complaining that their apps freeze, crash, and fail to load after updating their OS to Android 11. Can you downgrade to Android 10 maybe? Or if you have a secondary phone with a lower Android version, try to install Electrum on it and see if it's stable. Have someone from your friend circle install Electrum if you don't have a secondary phone. Have you experienced issues with any of your other apps?

Just a few reports from users complaining about Android 11 issues:

I updated my S20+ 5g to Android 11/One UI 3.0 and while using apps, the phone freezes or closes the app or reverts to the previous page.

I'm also struggling with apps crashing and random reboots..

the same problem and nobody from Samsung is able to help.

It is unacceptable that after this Android 11 catastrophic Update the phone becomes almost useless and nobody is able to resolve the Issum.

S20+ owner.

It is unacceptable that a phone which has perfectly worked before the Android 11 installation, now after the update it gets almost unusable and noone is able to resolve the big problem!Samsung apps ( call, messages, gallery, notifications etc ) dont open, phone is warm, battery drained...

Sources:
https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/galaxy-s20-series/android-11-update-bug/td-p/2435346
https://us.community.samsung.com/t5/Galaxy-S20/HORROR-Samsung-apps-crash-after-upgrade-to-Android-11/td-p/1679089

[bhairya]

I hear you. I think it's  more a question of reliability and trust for me. On my phone, I'd probably only keep a watch-only version but at this point I'm just testing it along with some others. As I said, I've got Trust and green wallets installed on my phone and they run just fine. I'm planning to put Electrum on a linux live USB drive for production use.

Have tried both version from the site as well as from Google Play. It doesn't even run now. Previously, it would run for a couple of days or so before crashing. Also want to add that I have Trust wallet, metamask and Blockstream's green wallets installed with no issues.

I think reiterate my advice will worth it, maybe it can be as a result Samsung Knox, but I am not exactly sure. It is not also good to have a single wallet on two or more devices. Having it on only one device is better. If you have it on more device, the security is already getting wicker because malware can be from anywhere, I believe you will use one of these device very well for browsing, which can be your phone. Having the electrum on computer is better for security reasons, you will also experience the best of electrum from computer not phone.

[bhairya]

I don't really have any issues as such. Everything runs fine. I got the Note 20 a few months ago. I get the carrier upgrades so I'm not sure if/when it went to Android 11 or if they were just updates. This is the only app I have on my phone that doesn't run at all.

I think the problem might be with your Android 11 OS. I have found various reports of people complaining that their apps freeze, crash, and fail to load after updating their OS to Android 11. Can you downgrade to Android 10 maybe? Or if you have a secondary phone with a lower Android version, try to install Electrum on it and see if it's stable. Have someone from your friend circle install Electrum if you don't have a secondary phone. Have you experienced issues with any of your other apps?

Just a few reports from users complaining about Android 11 issues:

I updated my S20+ 5g to Android 11/One UI 3.0 and while using apps, the phone freezes or closes the app or reverts to the previous page.

I'm also struggling with apps crashing and random reboots..

the same problem and nobody from Samsung is able to help.

It is unacceptable that after this Android 11 catastrophic Update the phone becomes almost useless and nobody is able to resolve the Issum.

S20+ owner.

It is unacceptable that a phone which has perfectly worked before the Android 11 installation, now after the update it gets almost unusable and noone is able to resolve the big problem!Samsung apps ( call, messages, gallery, notifications etc ) dont open, phone is warm, battery drained...

Sources:
https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/galaxy-s20-series/android-11-update-bug/td-p/2435346
https://us.community.samsung.com/t5/Galaxy-S20/HORROR-Samsung-apps-crash-after-upgrade-to-Android-11/td-p/1679089

[vintages]

I don't really have any issues as such. Everything runs fine. I got the Note 20 a few months ago. I get the carrier upgrades so I'm not sure if/when it went to Android 11 or if they were just updates. This is the only app I have on my phone that doesn't run at all.

If you still haven't find the solution, you should probably try this.

Check if there is a certain privacy setting on your phone that is preventing the app from loading, sometimes, things like that can affect it.

Also, if your uninstall the app to reinstall, clear and delete the previous installation package before installing the new. Previous one can keep messing with the new.

If you are using a VPN, it could also be the cause. Shut it down or use the same IP you used when it worked days ago.

If nothing seems to work, chat up Electrum support team or better still use the desktop version. It will save you the stress.

[Dabs]

Last resort:

1. factory reset the phone. Update to latest OS firmware first.
2. install Electrum (either download from play store, or download directly, or sideload it if using the phone offline.

If you have any memory cards, you may want to remove those first.

[Happiest]

If you are using a VPN, it could also be the cause. Shut it down or use the same IP you used when it worked days ago.

Yap, the closing my VPN did it for several weeks ago.
I had the same problem with my Trustwallet app then, the support unit suggested i turned off my VPN and it worked instantly!

[bob123]

Yap, the closing my VPN did it for several weeks ago.
I had the same problem with my Trustwallet app then, the support unit suggested i turned off my VPN and it worked instantly!

You might want to reconsider why exactly you are using a VPN in the first place.

There are very little use cases for VPNs. And privacy usually is none of them.

[BitMaxz]

Yap, the closing my VPN did it for several weeks ago.
I had the same problem with my Trustwallet app then, the support unit suggested i turned off my VPN and it worked instantly!

It has nothing to do with VPN you can even run Electrum without connecting it on wifi or data. There is something issue with the system and maybe some system files are corrupted.

The only solution that I see is to reset it to factory default as Dabs suggested above or wipe the whole data and cache since he mentions "it was working before" so wiping the phone will bring it back to original settings and clear data and cache(It will refresh). The only problem with this it will delete all data from your phone and not recommended if you don't know the email connected to your phone because it might end up FRP.