#13866·NewPipe

Crash on startup on Android 6.0.1: NullPointerException "Attempt to read from null array" in MainActivity.onCreate

Author: angeloclaudiocironeCreated Sep 28, 2026Updated Sep 29, 2026
Labelsbuggood first issuedevice/software specific

Checklist

  • I am able to reproduce the bug with the latest version given here: CLICK THIS LINK.
  • I made sure that there are no existing issues - open or closed - which I could contribute my information to.
  • I have read the FAQ and my problem isn't listed.
  • I have taken the time to fill in all the required details. I understand that the bug report will be dismissed otherwise.
  • This issue contains only one bug.
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Affected version

0.29.1 (F-Droid)

Steps to reproduce the bug

  1. Install NewPipe 0.29.1 on a device running Android 6.0.1
  2. Open the app

Expected behavior

The app opens normally

Actual behavior

The app crashes immediately on startup, before showing any content. Clearing app data does not help.

Screenshots/Screen recordings

No response

Logs

E ACRA: java.lang.RuntimeException: Unable to start activity ComponentInfo{org.schabi.newpipe/org.schabi.newpipe.MainActivity}: java.lang.NullPointerException: Attempt to read from null array E ACRA: at android.app.ActivityThread.performLaunchActivity(ActivityThread.java:2507) E ACRA: at android.app.ActivityThread.handleLaunchActivity(ActivityThread.java:2584) E ACRA: ... E ACRA: Caused by: java.lang.NullPointerException: Attempt to read from null array E ACRA: at org.schabi.newpipe.MainActivity.onCreate(r8-map-id-3abacb5aa3dfa204b2c73467d7f03c1bf6dbcb58af56a529d66e481a51f043e8:740) E ACRA: at android.app.Activity.performCreate(Activity.java:6375)

Shortly before the crash, logcat also shows repeated: I art: Rejecting re-init on previously-failed class java.lang.Class<j$.nio.file.e0> I art: Rejecting re-init on previously-failed class java.lang.Class<j$.nio.file.attribute.j> (j$.nio.file.c / .s / .p / attribute.k as well)

Affected Android/Custom ROM version

Android 6.0.1 (API 23), stock Lenovo firmware S200384

Affected device model

Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro (YT3-X90L), Intel Atom x86

Additional information

Since 0.29 raised minSdk to 23, this may affect all Android 6 devices. The j$.nio.file class init failures suggest a core library desugaring issue on API 23. 0.29.0 crashes the same way