Folder Temp (abbreviation from temporary — “temporary”) is available on any Android device, but most users are not even aware of its existence. Meanwhile, this is where gigabytes of “junk” files accumulate, which slow down the smartphone, take up precious storage space and sometimes cause application crashes. But before you rush to clean everything, it’s worth understanding: some files in the Temp folder are critical for the stable operation of the system, and deleting them can lead to the crash of applications or even “brick” the device.

In this article we will look in detail at:

  • 🔍 What is the Temp folder and where to look for it in the Android file system
  • 📁 What types of files are stored inside (cache, logs, sessions, updates)
  • ⚠️ What data can be deleted, and which should absolutely not be touched
  • 🛠️ Step-by-step guide on cleaning manually and using applications
  • 📉 Consequences of improper cleaning and how to restore the system

We will pay special attention hidden folders Tempthat create system processes and applications with rights root - their contents often go unnoticed even by experienced users. Let's also look at myths: for example, why clearing Temp does not always speed up a smartphone and in what cases it can even do harm.

📊 How often do you clear temporary files on Android?
Never cleaned
Once a month
Only when the memory runs out
I use automatic cleaning

Where is the Temp folder on Android and how to open it

Unlike Windows, where the folder Temp is usually located along the path C:\Users\User_name\AppData\Local\Temp, on Android everything is more complicated. There is no single standard here: temporary files can be stored in several places, and some of them are hidden from the user without rights root.

Main locations of the Temp folder:

  • 📂 Internal memory: /data/local/tmp/ — system folder, accessible only with rights superuser. Temporary files of the Android kernel and system processes are stored here.
  • 📂 Application folders: /data/data/application_package_name/cache/ or /data/data/application_package_name/temp/. For example, for Chrome the path will be /data/data/com.android.chrome/app_tabs/.
  • 📂 SD card (if available): /storage/extSdCard/Android/data/package_name/temp/. Many games (for example Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) create temporary files here to download updates.
  • 📂 Dalvik cache: /data/dalvik-cache/ —optimized versions of applications that the system perceives as temporary are stored here.

To see these folders, you will need a file manager with root support (for example, Root Explorer or Solid Explorer) or command via ADB:

adb shell ls /data/local/tmp/
⚠️ Attention: Attempt to access /data/ without root access will lead to an error Permission denied. Do not use “hacks” like changing permissions through chmod —this can break the security of the system.

Only a portion of temporary files are available to ordinary users - those stored in application folders on the internal memory (for example, /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/). They can be viewed through standard Google Files or Total Commander.

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If you need to find temporary files of a specific application, use the search in the file manager for temp or .tmp. This will help to detect hidden folders that are not displayed in the main directory tree.

What files are stored in the Temp folder and why you need them

The contents of the Temp folder can be divided into 5 categories. Each performs its role, and not all files are safe to delete.

File type Examples Is it possible to delete Consequences of deletion
Application cache .tmp, cache_*, thumbnails ✅ Yes Applications will take longer to load when first launched
Error logs logcat.txt, crash_*.dmp ✅ Yes Crash history will disappear (needed only by developers)
Temporary sessions session_*.dat, cookie_tmp ⚠️ Partially Log out of accounts in browsers/games
Update files update.zip, patch_*.apk ❌ No Failure when installing OS or application updates
System temporary files libtmp_*, dalvik-*.tmp ❌ No Crash of system processes, reboot to bootloop

The “heaviest” files in Temp are usually:

  • 🎮 Game cache: textures, models, sounds (for example, PUBG Mobile can take up to 2-3 GB in /Android/obb/ i /temp/).
  • 📷 Media files: photo/video thumbnails, previews from galleries or social networks (folders .thumbnails).
  • 🌐 Offline browser data: pages for reading without the Internet, cache Chrome or Firefox.
  • 📦 Update archives: APK application files, pending installations (for example, com.google.android.gms_*.apk).

Interesting fact: some applications (for example, Telegram or WhatsApp) store in Temp not only a cache, but also undelivered media files. If you interrupted the download large video, it can “hang” in the temporary files folder and take up space for years.

How to check which applications waste the most in Temp?

Open Settings → Memory → Applications and sort by cache size Applications with. cache >500 MB almost always have deposits in Temp.

Is it possible to delete the Temp folder completely - consequences and risks

Short answer: no, you cannot completely delete the Temp folder. it all depends on which files you delete and in what way.

This is what will happen if you just go and erase everything from Temp:

  • ❌ System failures: Android uses temporary files to work Zygote (the process that launches all applications). Deleting them will lead to ANR (Application Not Responding) errors.
  • ❌ Loss of sessions: You automatically log out of all accounts in browsers, instant messengers and games.
  • ❌ Problems with updates: If Temp contained an OS update file (for example, ota_update.zip), the system may freeze during the installation stage.
  • ❌ Crash of applications: Applications that do not have time to restore their temporary data will crash.

However selective cleaning it is not only possible, but also recommended. For example:

  • 🧹 Application cache: You can delete it without consequences (the system will restore it the next time you start it).
  • 🗑️ Error logs: Deleted without risk, but may be needed to diagnose problems.
  • 📥 Unfinished downloads: Files with extension .part or .crdownload you can safely clean it.
⚠️ Attention: If you use custom recovery (for example, TWRP) to clean Temp, never select the option Format /data —this will erase not only temporary files, but also all user data, including photos and contacts.

The safest way is to clear Temp through built-in tools Android:

  1. Go to Settings → Memory → Clear memory.
  2. Select a category Application cache or Temporary files.
  3. Confirm cleaning.
💡

Never delete files with extensions .odex, .vdex or .oat —these are optimized Dalvik/ART components, without which applications will not start.

Step-by-step guide: how to clear the Temp folder without harming the system

If you decide to clear Temp manually, follow these instructions. It is suitable for devices without root access (for root access the steps will be different).

Make a backup copy of important data|Close all running applications|Connect the charger (the process may take time)|Check the free space on the disk (you need at least 10% of the volume memory)-->

Method 1: Cleaning through a file manager (without root)

This method allows you to delete only those temporary files that are accessible to the user:

  1. Open Google Files or another manager (for example, FX File Explorer).
  2. Go to /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/.
  3. Open the application folder (for example, com.whatsapp to WhatsApp).
  4. Find folders cache or temp and delete their contents.
  5. Repeat for other “heavy” applications (browsers, games, social networks).

Method 2: Using ADB (for experienced users)

If you need to clear system temporary files, but do not have root access, you can use ADB:

adb shell pm clear com.example.app # Clearing the cache of a specific application

adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Deleting temporary system files (requires root)

Method 3: Applications for cleaning (automatically)

For beginners, it is easier to use specialized utilities:

  • 🧹 CCleaner — clears the cache, temporary files and history.
  • 🗑️ SD Maid — finds “junk” files, including hidden ones.
  • 🔍 Files by Google — built-in tool for deleting unnecessary data.
⚠️ Attention: Applications like Clean Master or DU Speed Booster often delete not only temporary files, but also useful data (for example, game save files). Use them with caution.

After cleaning, reboot the device - this will help the system restore critical data. temporary files.

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If, after clearing Temp, applications begin to run slower, do not panic: this is temporary. Android will restore the cache within 1-2 days.

What to do if, after clearing Temp, your smartphone begins to work worse

Sometimes users experience the opposite effect: instead of speeding up, the smartphone begins to “lag”, applications crash, and memory crashes. fills up even faster. What is the reason?

Here are the most common problems and their solutions:

Problem Cause Solution
Applications are constantly rebooting Deleted Dalvik/ART cache Reboot the device or run Wipe Dalvik Cache to recovery
Game saves have disappeared Deleted temporary files with progress Restore from cloud save (Google Play Games, Facebook)
Browsers do not remember passwords Cookies and sessions have been cleared Login again to your accounts and enable synchronization
The system has become stable slower Android restores the cache in the background Wait 1-2 days or clear the cache manually via Settings → Memory

If the smartphone after clearing Temp does not turn on or stuck on the logo, which means that critical system files have been deleted. In this case:

  1. Boot into recovery mode (usually Power + Volume Up).
  2. Select Wipe Cache Partition.
  3. Reboot the device.

If this does not help, you will have to do factory reset (reset to factory settings). In 90% of cases, problems after clearing Temp are solved by resetting, since the system restores all necessary temporary files from scratch.

How to avoid problems when cleaning Temp?

1. Never delete files with a modification date <24 hours - they can be used by active processes.

2. Before cleaning, check whether the OS or applications are currently being updated (the download icon in the status bar).

3. Do not use scripts for “deep cleaning” from the Internet - they often delete system files.

How to prevent the Temp folder from becoming clogged in the future

Regular cleaning of Temp is like treating the symptoms, not the cause, to prevent the folder from becoming clogged with junk, follow these recommendations:

  • 🔄 Update applications: Old versions often. create redundant temporary files. Turn on auto-update. Google Play enable auto-update.
  • 🚫 Limit the cache for browsers: Go to Chrome go to Settings → Privacy → Clear data and set the cache limit.
  • 🎮 Set up games: In PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact and other games, disable loading HD resources if they are not needed.
  • 📱 Use “light” versions of applications: Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite create fewer temporary files.
  • 🔍 Monitor memory: Install DiskUsage or Storage Analyzer for tracking “junk” folders.

For advanced users there is a radical way - transferring the cache to an SD cardThis will reduce the load on internal memory:

  1. Connect the SD card as Internal memory (to Settings → Memory).
  2. to ADB execute: 
    adb shell pm set-install-location 2

    (this will force the system to install applications on SD by default).

  3. Move the cache of heavy applications (games, browsers) to the card manually.
⚠️ Attention: Moving the cache to SD may reduce the speed of applications, since microSD is usually slower than built-in memory (especially class 10 vs UFS 3.1).

If you often clear Temp, consider automation:

  • 🤖 Tasker: Set up a task to clear the cache once a week.
  • ⏰ Scheduler: The SD Maid has a scheduled automatic cleaning function.

Myths about the Temp folder: what's really wrong

There are many myths surrounding temporary files on Android. popular:

Myth 1: “Clearing Temp speeds up your smartphone by 200%”

Reality: Deleting the cache can temporary free up space, but will not speed up work. Moreover, applications will have to re-create the cache, which will increase the load on the processor in the first hours. cleaning.

Myth 2: “Temp stores only unnecessary files.”

Reality: There are temporary files critical. For example, /data/local/tmp/ contains data for work. su (if there is a root), and /cache/recovery/ - files for system recovery.

Myth 3: “You need to clear Temp every day”

Reality: Frequent cleaning harmful —the system spends resources on restoring the cache. It is enough to do this once every 1-2 months or if there is insufficient memory.

Myth 4: “All files in Temp can be deleted”

Reality: Files with extensions .odex, .vdex, .oat or .art is not garbage, and their optimized application code will cause apps to crash.

Myth 5: “Cleaning Temp removes viruses”

Reality: Temporary files do not contain viruses — malicious code is hidden in /system/ or APK. For protection, use Malwarebytes or Bitdefender.

Another one a common misconception: “Files in Temp are automatically deleted upon reboot. data-i="322">part". In fact, Android clears only Part temporary files (those marked with the flag DELETE_ON_CLOSE). Most of the data remains in place.

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Clearing Temp is not a panacea. If your smartphone is slow, first check the CPU load in Settings → Battery and the amount of free memory (should be >10%).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the Temp folder on Android

🔹 Why does the Temp folder take up so much space (10+ GB)?

Most likely to blame:

  • 🎮 Games (PUBG, Call of Duty, Genshin Impact caches gigabytes of textures).
  • 📺 Streaming applications (Netflix, YouTube store offline video in Temp).
  • 📷 Gallery (photo/video thumbnails in .thumbnails can weigh several GB).

Check the folders /Android/obb/ i /Android/data/ —the heaviest files are often accumulated there.

🔹 Is it possible to transfer the Temp folder to an SD card?

Technically yes, but:

  • ✅ Only works for user temporary files (for example, game cache).
  • ❌ System temporary files (/data/local/tmp/) cannot be transferred - Android looks for them only in the internal memory.
  • ⚠️ The SD card must be fast (UHS-I or UFS), otherwise applications will slow down.

To transfer, use FolderMount (requires root) or symbolic links via ADB:

adb shell ln -s /storage/extSdCard/Android/temp /data/local/tmp
🔹 Why, after clearing Temp, files appear again through day?

This is normal! Temporary files are created:

  • 📱 When installing/updating applications.
  • 🌐 When viewing web pages (browsers cache images and scripts).
  • 🎵 When playing music/video (media players buffer content).

If files are returned too fast (in an hour), check applications for bugs or viruses.

🔹 How to clear Temp on Android without root?

Without root you can clear:

  • 🧹 Application cache via Settings → Applications → Storage → Clear cache.
  • 🗑️ Temporary files manually via the file manager (folders /Android/data/package_name/cache/).
  • 🤖 Automatically using Files by Google or CCleaner.

To clear system temporary files (/data/local/tmp/) root required.

🔹 What to do if the Temp folder does not open ("No access" error)?

Causes and solutions:

  • 🔒 No rights: The folder belongs to another user (for example, system). Solution: use root explorer or ADB.
  • 🛡️ SELinux: Mode enabled enforcing. data-i="380">(requires root): permissive (requires root): 
    su

    setenforce 0

  • 📱 The manufacturer has blocked it. access: On some Xiaomi, Huawei or Samsung access to system folders is limited. Solution: use official cleaning tools (for example, Device Care on Samsung).