If an app on your phone keeps throwing “Session expired,” “Please sign in again,” or it logs you out right after you log in, it’s rarely “just a bug.” It’s usually a sign the app can’t keep a valid login token, can’t refresh it in time, or your device/network is making the token look invalid.
Here’s why it happens first, then the fixes that solve it most often (iPhone and Android).
1. Why “session expired” happens on phones (the quick explanation)
Most apps don’t store your password after you sign in. They store a temporary credential (a session/token) and periodically “refresh” it in the background. You’ll see forced logouts when that system breaks.
- Wrong device time: If your phone’s time/zone is off, tokens can look “already expired” or “not valid yet.”
- Network changes: Switching between Wi‑Fi and mobile data, using a VPN, or aggressive private DNS/ad-blocking can interrupt token refresh calls.
- Corrupted app storage: Cache/database entries can get out of sync, especially after updates or low storage.
- Account security events: A password reset, sign-in from a new device, or admin/security policy can invalidate old sessions.
- Background restrictions: Battery/Data Saver can prevent refresh in the background, so the next time you open the app, the token is stale.
With that in mind, work through the fixes below in order.
2. Fix your date, time, and time zone (this is more common than it sounds)
If your phone clock is even a few minutes off, some apps will repeatedly invalidate sessions.
- iPhone: Settings → General → Date & Time → turn on Set Automatically. Also confirm the correct time zone.
- Android: Settings → System → Date & time → enable Use network-provided time and Use network-provided time zone.
After changing this, fully close the app (swipe it away) and open it again, then sign in once more.
3. Stabilize the network: turn off VPN/private DNS/ad blockers temporarily
Session refresh calls are small and frequent. VPNs, “security” DNS filters, and content blockers can interfere in ways that look like random logouts.
- Turn VPN off and test for 10–15 minutes.
- If you use Private DNS (Android) or DNS filtering apps, switch back to automatic/ISP DNS temporarily.
- Try one clean network: either Wi‑Fi only (with mobile data off) or mobile data only (Wi‑Fi off).
If the problem disappears on one network, you’ve narrowed it down to the router, carrier, DNS/VPN, or a captive portal on public Wi‑Fi.
4. Check battery and background restrictions (token refresh needs background access)
Many apps refresh sessions when you’re not actively using them. If your phone blocks background activity, you may get logged out every time you return.
- iPhone: Settings → General → Background App Refresh → ensure it’s enabled (globally and for the app). Also check Low Power Mode (turn it off to test).
- Android: Settings → Apps → (the app) → Battery → allow Unrestricted (or “Allow background activity”) to test. Also temporarily disable Battery Saver.
- If the app has an in-app setting like “Stay signed in” or “Remember me”, enable it after you stabilize the basics above.
Give it one full sign-in after changing these settings, then leave the app in the background for a few minutes and reopen it.
5. Clear app cache/storage safely (and know when to reinstall)
When tokens are stored locally and the local store gets corrupted, the app may “forget” sessions or fail refresh.
- Android (best control): Settings → Apps → (the app) → Storage & cache → try Clear cache first. If that doesn’t help, consider Clear storage (this resets the app and usually signs you out everywhere).
- iPhone: iOS doesn’t offer a true “clear cache” button for most apps. Instead, try Settings → General → iPhone Storage → (the app) → Offload App (keeps documents) then reinstall, or Delete App then reinstall for a full reset.
Before you reset: make sure you can sign back in (you know the password, have access to your email/SMS authenticator, and any backup codes if you use 2FA).
6. Check for security events that invalidate sessions
Sometimes the app is behaving correctly: your account sessions are being revoked.
- If you recently changed your password, sign out on the phone, then sign in again (fresh token).
- Look for an account/security page option like “Devices” or “Active sessions” and remove unknown devices.
- If you’re on a work/school account, security policy may require frequent re-authentication (especially with “high-risk” networks or if the device is not compliant).
If you see alerts for sign-ins you don’t recognize, treat it as a security issue first: change the password and enable 2FA from a trusted device.
7. Update the app and the OS (session bugs are often fixed quietly)
Token handling and webview components change often. An outdated app can break after a server-side auth update.
- Update the app from the App Store/Play Store.
- Update your phone OS (or at least the latest security update).
- Restart the phone after updates (it clears stuck network stacks and background services).
It sounds basic, but it matters when session refresh is failing due to an underlying component.
Final thoughts
“Session expired” loops usually come down to time settings, unstable networks/VPN/DNS filtering, or background restrictions preventing token refresh. Fix those first before doing deeper resets.
If none of the steps help, it’s worth testing the same account on a second device. If the second device also logs out, the issue is likely account-side (security policy, session revocation, or a server problem).