iOS 16.3.1 Breaks Google Photos App [Fixed]

The iOS 16.3.1 update that was released today appears to be causing issues with Google Photos, so iPhone and iPad owners who use Google ‌Photos‌ should probably avoid updating.

google photos app
Multiple reports on social media complain about the issue, which The Verge also highlighted. It appears that the Google ‌Photos‌ app is crashing instantly when ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌ users attempt to open it after upgrading to the latest software.

There is no word on when the problem will be fixed, and whether a fix requires an update to the Google ‌Photos‌ app or can be done server side.

Unfortunately, the update also includes a fix for a vulnerability known to be actively exploited in the wild, so Google ‌Photos‌ users will need to choose between the Google ‌Photos‌ app and improved device security until the problem is addressed.

Update: A new version of the Google ‌Photos‌ app with a fix for this issue is now available.

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Logo Black

Apple Just Made Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever After Beats

Thursday January 29, 2026 10:07 am PST by
Apple today confirmed to Reuters that it has acquired Q.ai, an Israeli startup that is working on artificial intelligence technology for audio. Apple paid close to $2 billion for Q.ai, according to sources cited by the Financial Times. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone and audio brand Beats in 2014. Q.ai has...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

Apple Changes How You Order a Mac

Saturday January 31, 2026 10:51 am PST by
Apple recently updated its online store with a new ordering process for Macs, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. There used to be a handful of standard configurations available for each Mac, but now you must configure a Mac entirely from scratch on a feature-by-feature basis. In other words, ordering a new Mac now works much like ordering an...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...

Top Rated Comments

sniffies Avatar
39 months ago
I believe that's a feature, not a bug.
Score: 41 Votes (Like | Disagree)
erikkfi Avatar
39 months ago
? security
? Google Photos
? security...
? Google Photos.

hmmm...
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BenGoren Avatar
39 months ago

Unfortunately, the update also includes a fix for a vulnerability known to be actively exploited in the wild ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/02/13/ios-16-3-1-macos-ventura-13-2-1-vulnerability-fix/'), so Google Photos users will need to choose between the Google Photos app and improved device security until the problem is addressed.
If you’re using Google anything, you’ve already made the choice that data security isn’t your priority.

b&
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
39 months ago
Security update! I don't trust Google so I stay away from Google Photos.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MathersMahmood Avatar
39 months ago
Prepare for the I dOnT tRuSt gOoGle comments
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Burger Thing Avatar
39 months ago
Seems like 16.3.1. works as intended.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)