Why Does Procreate Keep Crashing?

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Key Takeaways:

  • Procreate crashing can be caused by outdated device/app software, large canvas size, lack of storage, other running apps, and device compatibility issues.
  • Updating device and app software, using smaller canvas, freeing up storage space, closing background apps, and checking device compatibility can help fix crashes.
  • Procreate requires significant device storage and processing power, so crashes may occur on older or low-storage devices.
  • Clearing Procreate's cache and history can help resolve app crashes in some cases.
  • If crashes persist, contacting Procreate support, downgrading the app, or factory resetting your device may be necessary.
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Introduction

Procreate is one of the most popular and powerful drawing and illustration apps available for iOS devices like the iPad and iPhone. With its intuitive interface, customizable brushes, and robust features, it has become an essential app for digital artists. However, many users find themselves frustrated when Procreate unexpectedly crashes during use. Nothing is more disruptive to the creative process than losing progress on a drawing due to a crash. So why does Procreate keep crashing?

This comprehensive guide will analyze the major causes of Procreate crashes and provide troubleshooting solutions to resolve them. Properly diagnosing the reasons why Procreate is crashing on your device is the first step to preventing further issues. We will evaluate common factors like outdated software, storage limitations, device compatibility, and the app's technical demands. You'll also learn best practices for optimizing your device's performance when running Procreate.

With the information provided here, you can confidently determine what is causing Procreate to crash on your device and apply the appropriate fixes. You'll be empowered to maximize the stability and reliability of this essential creative app. By pinpointing and addressing the root causes of crashes, you can focus on creating amazing digital artworks unimpeded.

Major Causes of Procreate Crashes

Is your device and app software up to date?

One of the most common triggers of Procreate crashing is outdated software on your device. Procreate is constantly refined by its developers to run smoother, fix bugs, and improve overall stability. But these enhancements only help if your version of Procreate is current. Using an outdated version of the app vastly increases your chances of encountering crashes.

It's critical to keep your iOS device itself updated as well. Apple issues regular iOS updates to patch bugs and optimize performance. Running an outdated version of iOS can lead to instability and app crashes. Check that both your iPad/iPhone operating system and the Procreate app are fully updated. If updates are available, install them immediately and then re-test Procreate. Keeping software updated is one of the easiest ways to prevent crashes.

Is your Procreate canvas size too large?

Procreate gives artists immense flexibility with up to 16K canvas sizes. But larger canvas sizes require far more memory and processing power. If your iPad/iPhone hardware is not high-end, using Procreate's maximum canvas dimensions can overwhelm your device and lead to lag, freezes, and crashes.

Pay attention to the resolution and pixel dimensions of your Procreate canvases. If they are very large, try reducing to a smaller size and see if crashes persist. You can always start a piece with a smaller canvas and increase later if needed. Finding the largest canvas your device can reliably handle will prevent Procreate from seizing up.

Could you be running low on device storage?

Lack of available storage on your iOS device is a prime culprit for Procreate instability. The app relies on having adequate free space to function properly. Procreate canvas files can easily be 1-2 GB in size with many layers. As you work, Procreate continuously saves your progress internally.

If your iPad or iPhone lacks sufficient storage, Procreate will struggle to save your work. This leads to data corruption and repeated crashes. Check your device storage usage under Settings. Free up space by deleting unused apps, photos, and files. Procreate recommends at least 1 GB or more of available space. With adequate free storage, Procreate can save properly without crashes.

Are other apps running simultaneously in the background?

Even with sufficient device storage, running too many apps simultaneously can tax your iPad/iPhone's resources and cause Procreate to crash. Procreate requires significant processor power and RAM to instantly render your brush strokes. If other apps are consuming these resources in the background, Procreate is deprived.

Get in the habit of fully quitting any apps you aren't currently using. To do this, double tap the Home button and swipe up on any app screens you see. This forces apps to close completely instead of lingering and consuming resources. Only have Procreate open when you are actively drawing to maximize its performance. This app management will provide Procreate the resources it requires for crash-free use.

Is your iPad/iPhone model officially supported?

Procreate will only operate reliably on iOS devices designed to handle its technical demands. Using Procreate on an older or unsupported iPad/iPhone model is likely to result in lag, freezes, and repeated crashes. Always verify your exact device model is currently listed as supported on Procreate's official compatibility page before installation.

Procreate requires a powerful processor, ample RAM, and a built-in graphics chip on par with its needs. For example, the 1st generation iPad would lack the hardware capabilities to run Procreate smoothly. Checking for model compatibility and updating your device if needed will prevent frustration down the line. Only install Procreate on officially supported models able to meet its resource requirements without crashing.

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Troubleshooting Procreate Crashes

Update Procreate and iOS Software

As emphasized previously, keeping your iPad/iPhone device fully updated is critical for avoiding Procreate crashes. In the Procreate app, navigate to the Settings screen and ensure Auto-Update is enabled. This allows the app to automatically download the newest version when released.

On your device, open the Settings app, select General, then Software Update to check for the latest iOS version. Install any available updates immediately. Follow this process regularly to maintain fully updated software proven to enhance Procreate's stability.

Use Smaller Canvas Sizes

If Procreate crashes occur when working on maximum canvas sizes, gradually downsize until finding the largest dimensions your device can handle reliably. In Procreate's canvas settings, choose a smaller pixel size like 2048×2048 or 1024×1024 pixels. Retest to see if crashes persist. Further reduce the size if needed. Finding the optimal canvas size for your device's capabilities will eliminate size-related crashes.

Clear Up Storage Space

Under Settings, check your iPad/iPhone's available storage and aim to free up at least 1 GB or more if space is low. Tap Manage Storage to see which apps and files are consuming the most space. Delete old artwork files from Procreate that you no longer need. Consider offloading unused apps while keeping their documents and data. Transfer photos and videos to external storage or a cloud service like iCloud. Removing unneeded files liberates storage capacity for Procreate's needs.

Force Quit Other Apps

Get diligent about only having Procreate open while drawing. Double tap the Home button, then swipe up on all other apps to force quit them. This frees up the RAM and background processing they were consuming. With no other apps running, your device can dedicate full resources to Procreate for maximum stability. Make this a regular habit each time you open Procreate.

Verify Device Compatibility

Before installing Procreate, always reference the official list of supported iPad/iPhone models on the Procreate website. Carefully check that your exact device, OS version, and other specifications meet the requirements. If your device is older or underpowered, upgrade to a newer model designed to handle Procreate's demands. Using an unsupported device often results in frustration over crashes. Investing in an iPad or iPhone designed for Procreate's technical needs greatly enhances the user experience.

Clear Procreate's History and Cache

Over extended use, Procreate can accumulate digital clutter in the form of cache files, history data, and outdated application logs. This slows performance and may trigger random crashes. Clearing this data forces Procreate to start fresh which may resolve instability.

In Procreate, go to Settings > Canvas > Clear History to wipe the record of your previous sessions. Then in General Settings, choose Advanced > Purge Cache to delete unnecessary cached and temporary content. With cleaned out history and cache, Procreate often runs smoother with fewer crashes during use.

Contact Procreate Developer Support

If you are still experiencing consistent Procreate crashes after trying all other troubleshooting, reach out directly to the app's developer support team. They may be able to identify an underlying problem with your Procreate installation or device that requires additional fixes. Provide as many details as possible about when crashes occur.

The developers actively investigate crash reports from users to improve Procreate's stability in future updates. Getting detailed crash information from you directly enables them to pinpoint and address the issue. Their technical guidance can help resolve even stubborn crash problems.

Try Downgrading to a Previous Version

Some users find that downgrading to a slightly older version of Procreate can improve stability if a recent update introduced new bugs. In the App Store, find the Procreate page and check Previous Versions. Tap the cloud icon to choose an older version and downgrade. Test if the crashes stop on that previous stabilized version.

However, keep in mind downgrading deprives you of the newest features and fixes. It should only be temporary until the developers release an improved update. But downgrading is worth trying if a recent Procreate update clearly triggered your crash problems.

Factory Reset iPad/iPhone as Last Resort

If no other troubleshooting steps resolve persistent Procreate crashing, a factory reset may be necessary. This completely erases your device and reinstalls the operating system from scratch. It is an involved process, but will eliminate any problematic configuration issues causing crashes.

To factory reset, backup your iPad/iPhone fully to iCloud or iTunes. Then under Settings, choose General > Reset and select Erase All Content and Settings. This will wipe your device and install a fresh OS, after which you can restore your data from the backup. With the fresh OS install, re-download Procreate and check if crashes are resolved.

Optimizing Your Device to Run Procreate Smoothly

Beyond troubleshooting specific crashes, some general best practices will keep Procreate running smoothly:

  • Close all other apps before using Procreate – This allows it to use maximal device resources.
  • Disable notifications during Procreate sessions – Popup notifications can disrupt workflows.
  • Ensure your Apple Pencil is fully charged – A low Pencil charge can cause lag.
  • Use a matte screen protector – This diffuses screen glare for easier use.
  • Lower screen brightness when possible – Higher brightness demands more battery.
  • Disable auto-lock to prevent during use – Turn off Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock.
  • Use a sturdy case to avoid device drops – Impacts can corrupt data and cause crashes.

With proper troubleshooting and optimization, Procreate can continue helping you create stunning digital artworks without disruptive crashes.

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Key Takeaways:

  • Procreate crashing can be caused by outdated device/app software, large canvas size, lack of storage, other running apps, and device compatibility issues.
  • Updating device and app software, using smaller canvas, freeing up storage space, closing background apps, and checking device compatibility can help fix crashes.
  • Procreate requires significant device storage and processing power, so crashes may occur on older or low-storage devices.
  • Clearing Procreate's cache/history, contacting support, downgrading the app, or factory resetting your device may be necessary for serious crashes.
  • Follow best practices like closing other apps, disabling notifications, and using a case to optimize Procreate performance.

Conclusion

In summary, Procreate is one of the premier digital illustration apps for iPad and iPhone, but users may encounter frustrating crashes during use. However, there are clear troubleshooting strategies to identify and resolve the root causes of these crashes. Keeping device and app software updated, managing canvas size, freeing storage space, closing background apps, verifying compatibility, and clearing cache/history can all help significantly. Additionally, optimizing your device to dedicate resources to Procreate will enhance stability. With the fixes provided in this guide, you can troubleshoot Procreate crashing issues and maintain an uninterrupted creative workflow.

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Meghan

The Editorial Team at AnswerCatch.com brings you insightful and accurate content on a wide range of topics. Our diverse team of talented writers is passionate about providing you with the best possible reading experience.