- A
Perform a factory reset on the iPad.
Why wrong: A factory reset is a last resort and would erase all user data; it is premature for a single app issue.
- B
Update iOS to the latest version.
Why wrong: While updates can fix bugs, the user did not mention a recent update, and clearing Safari data is a faster, less disruptive first step.
- C
Clear Safari's history and website data in Settings.
This removes corrupted cache and cookies that often cause app crashes, and is a standard troubleshooting step for browser issues.
- D
Disable all Safari extensions.
Why wrong: Extensions could cause issues, but clearing data is a simpler first step; disabling extensions should be tried if clearing data fails.
Question 203 of 1,020
iPad Safari Crashes Immediately on Opening
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile device application support. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A user reports that their iPad's Safari browser crashes immediately upon opening, but other apps work fine. They have already restarted the device. What should the technician do next?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"immediately / without restart"Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
Quick Answer
The correct next step is to clear Safari’s history and website data in Settings. This is because when a single app like Safari crashes immediately on opening while other apps function normally, the issue is almost certainly corrupted cache, cookies, or stored website data rather than a system-wide problem. Since the user has already restarted the device—a basic first step—the technician must move to app-specific troubleshooting, and clearing Safari’s browsing data removes the corrupted files that cause the crash. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to apply the “one app fails, others work” troubleshooting principle, often appearing as a distractor where candidates might mistakenly suggest resetting all settings or reinstalling iOS. A common trap is jumping to hardware or network fixes, but the key is recognizing that a single app crash points to its own data. Memory tip: “One app, one cache—clear the history, end the crash.”
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Clear Safari's history and website data in Settings.
Option C is correct because clearing Safari's history and website data removes corrupted cached files, cookies, or local storage data that can cause the browser to crash on launch. Since other apps work fine, the issue is isolated to Safari's stored data, not the entire system. This is the recommended first troubleshooting step for a single-app crash after a restart.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Perform a factory reset on the iPad.
Why it's wrong here
A factory reset is a last resort and would erase all user data; it is premature for a single app issue.
- ✗
Update iOS to the latest version.
Why it's wrong here
While updates can fix bugs, the user did not mention a recent update, and clearing Safari data is a faster, less disruptive first step.
- ✓
Clear Safari's history and website data in Settings.
Why this is correct
This removes corrupted cache and cookies that often cause app crashes, and is a standard troubleshooting step for browser issues.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Disable all Safari extensions.
Why it's wrong here
Extensions could cause issues, but clearing data is a simpler first step; disabling extensions should be tried if clearing data fails.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The 220-1201 exam often tests the principle of least invasive troubleshooting first, so the trap here is that candidates may jump to a factory reset (Option A) or an iOS update (Option B) instead of trying the simple, app-specific data clear that resolves the most common cause of a single-app crash.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Safari stores website data in a SQLite database under ~/Library/Safari/ on macOS or in a sandboxed container on iOS. Corrupted entries in this database (e.g., malformed cookies or oversized cache files) can cause Safari to crash during initialization when it tries to load these resources. Clearing history and website data via Settings > Safari removes these files entirely, forcing Safari to rebuild them from scratch on the next launch.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Mobile Device Application Support — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Mobile Device Application Support — This question tests Mobile Device Application Support — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Clear Safari's history and website data in Settings. — Option C is correct because clearing Safari's history and website data removes corrupted cached files, cookies, or local storage data that can cause the browser to crash on launch. Since other apps work fine, the issue is isolated to Safari's stored data, not the entire system. This is the recommended first troubleshooting step for a single-app crash after a restart.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "immediately / without restart". Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.
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