Fix GarageBand Crashing and Losing Work in iOS 26

Losing unsaved work is one of the most frustrating experiences for any creator, and it can be especially disruptive when GarageBand becomes unstable after an iOS update. Many users have reported that after updating to iOS 26, GarageBand crashes unexpectedly, sometimes immediately upon launch, making it impossible to even access existing projects. As detailed in this Apple Community discussion, this problem can persist even after reinstalling the app, leading to the loss of any projects that weren’t manually backed up. These crashes are often caused by software bugs, conflicts with third-party audio plugins, or a lack of available storage on your device.

Why GarageBand Crashes and Loses Work

GarageBand is a resource-intensive application that relies heavily on your device’s RAM and storage. A major operating system update like iOS 26 can introduce changes to how the system manages these resources, leading to conflicts with the app. An older version of GarageBand or a third-party audio plugin (AUv3) may not be fully compatible with the new OS, causing instability and crashes.

Furthermore, a crash can happen so suddenly that the app doesn’t have time to auto-save your latest changes. If the crash is caused by a corrupted project file, GarageBand may crash every time you attempt to open that specific song, making it seem like the entire app is broken.

How to Fix GarageBand Crashing on iOS 26

These solutions are designed to resolve the app’s instability and, most importantly, help you protect your creative work from being lost.

1. Manually Back Up Your Projects First

Before attempting any other fixes, your top priority should be to secure your existing projects. As some users have found, reinstalling the app without a backup will permanently delete your work.

1. Open the Files app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap On My [Device] and open the GarageBand folder.
3. You will see all your project files (ending in .band).
4. Press and hold on a project file, then choose Copy.
5. Navigate to a safe location like iCloud Drive or another cloud service folder and paste the file. Repeat this for all important projects.

2. Update GarageBand and iOS

The crash is likely a known bug that Apple or the GarageBand developers are working to fix. The first line of defense is always to install the latest software updates.

1. Update GarageBand: Open the App Store, tap your profile icon, and check for updates.
2. Update iOS: Go to Settings > General > Software Update to install the latest version of iOS 26.

3. Force Restart Your Device

A force restart can clear out temporary memory issues and system glitches that may be causing the app to crash.

1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
3. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears, then release it.

4. Free Up Device Storage

GarageBand needs significant free space to operate smoothly. A lack of storage is a common cause of performance issues and crashes.

1. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
2. Review the recommendations and delete any unnecessary apps, videos, or files. Aim to have at least 10-15% of your total storage free.

5. Offload and Reinstall GarageBand

This method reinstalls the app without deleting your project files, making it a safer alternative to deleting the app outright.

1. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
2. Scroll down and tap on GarageBand.
3. Tap Offload App and confirm. This will delete the app but keep its documents and data.
4. Once offloaded, tap Reinstall App from the same screen.

6. Isolate a Corrupt Project File

If GarageBand only crashes when you open a specific project, that file may be corrupted.

1. Open GarageBand and create a brand new, empty project.
2. Add a few tracks and see if the app remains stable. If it does, your issue is likely with a specific project file and not the app itself.
3. If a project is corrupt, your best option is to restore it from a backup you created in step 1.

7. Remove Third-Party Audio Unit (AUv3) Plugins

Third-party plugins are a frequent source of instability, especially after an iOS update.

1. Open a new or existing GarageBand project.
2. Go to the track controls for an audio track, tap Plug-ins & EQ, then Edit.
3. Tap the red circle next to any third-party plugins to remove them.
4. If the app becomes stable, you have identified the problematic plugin. Check the App Store for an update for that plugin or avoid using it until it is updated.

If none of these solutions work, contact Apple Support.