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Google Voice users on older iOS versions woke up to a frustrating surprise over the weekend. The app’s latest update, version 25.52, is causing instant crashes on iPhones and iPads running iOS 18 builds, leaving users unable to make calls or send texts through the service.
Multiple users on Reddit and Google’s support forums reported that the app closes immediately upon launch after updating to version 25.52. One user on an iPhone 15 Pro running iOS 18.7.3 shared, “I just updated to iOS app version 25.52 that released a few hours ago. The app automatically crashes/self-closes when trying to open it.”
Standard troubleshooting steps like reinstalling the app or restarting the device haven’t worked for affected users.
The update in question rolled out on January 2, and reports quickly piled up from users on various iOS 18 builds, including 18.6.2, 18.7.1, 18.7.2, and 18.7.3. One frustrated user pointed out that the issue extended to multiple devices, saying all three of their devices running different iOS 18 versions experienced the same crash.
The problem appears isolated to devices running iOS versions below 26. Users who’ve upgraded to iOS 26.2 report the app works without issues. However, that’s cold comfort for those with older iPhones like the iPhone XR or iPhone XS, which can’t upgrade beyond iOS 18. One user noted, “I’m really irritated about the crashing as I need Google Voice for daily use. Really hoping for a hotfix before Monday.”
According to a product expert who posted the same response on Reddit and Google’s support forums, the issue was escalated to Google Voice engineering late Friday afternoon and is being treated as high priority. The expert confirmed that only iPhones running iOS versions below 26 are affected and suggested users access Google Voice through their mobile browser as a temporary workaround. While the browser version supports text messaging and voicemail, direct VoIP calling isn’t available on mobile browsers.
Some users expressed frustration with the lack of proper testing before the update’s release. “It’s insane that they’ll brick an app before a weekend and not look into or revert the change immediately,” one commenter wrote. As of now, Google hasn’t provided a timeline for when a fix will be available.
My fascination with Android phones began the moment I got my hands on one. Since then, I’ve been on a journey to decode the ever-evolving tech landscape, fueled by a passion for both the “how” and the “why.” Since 2018, I’ve been crafting content that empowers users and demystifies the tech world. From in-depth how-to guides that unlock your phone’s potential to breaking news based on original research, I strive to make tech accessible and engaging.
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