Custom global Application class breaks with "android.app.Application cannot be cast to"

The error states that the type of the object returned by getApplication is android.app.Application. A possible cause for this is that you failed to define the application in the manifest. Make sure that your manifest includes something in the lines of:

<application android:name=".MyApp"...
</application>

Another solution for older Android devices or emulators. You defined an application in the manifest:

    <application 
           android:name=".MyApp"...
    </application>

but you still have this problem?

Try to disable instant run:

1. Disable an Instant run
2. Clean and rebuild the project
3. Remove the app from device and install it again without Instant run