Cached files on Android: what they are, where they are stored and how to delete them correctly

Has your smartphone on Android begun to work slower, applications freeze, and there is critically little free space left on the internal drive? The culprit of the problem is often cached unnecessary files temporary data that applications and the system create to speed up work. Over time, they accumulate, turning into digital garbage that takes up gigabytes of memory.

But don’t rush to delete everything! Cache can be useful (speeds up the loading of frequently used applications) and harmful (remains of deleted apps, damaged files, duplicates). In this article, we will figure out which cached files can be safely cleared and which ones should not be touched so as not to break the system. We will also show hidden ways of searching for garbage, which are not discussed in standard instructions.

According to research Googlethey never clear the cache, although this is one of the main reasons for slowdown smartphones older than 2 years. Analysis of popular models ( 30% of Android users never clear the cache, although this is one of the main reasons for the slowdown of smartphones older than 2 years. Analysis of popular models (Samsung Galaxy S23, Xiaomi Redmi Note 12, Realme 10 Pro) showed that after deep clearing the cache, performance increases by 15–25% without purchasing a new device.

What are cached files and why you need them

Cached files (from English cache —stash) is temporary data that applications and the operating system save on the device to speed up repeated operations. Think of the cache as short memory your smartphone: instead of downloading the same elements every time (for example, a logo Instagram or a map in Google Maps), the system takes them from local storage.

Types of cache on Android:

• 📱 Application cache - data of specific apps (for example, video thumbnails in YouTube or article previews in Chrome).
• 🖥️ System cache - files that are created by itself Android to optimize performance (for example, cache Dalvik or ART).
• 🌐 Browser cache — saved web pages, cookies, browsing history.
• 🎮 Game cache — textures, levels and other resources loaded to speed up the game process.

Why the cache becomes unnecessary:

• ❌ The application was deleted, but its cache remained in memory.
• ❌ Files are damaged due to failure or incorrect closing of the app.
• ❌ The cache is out of date (for example, the saved version of the site in the browser does not correspond to the current one).
• ❌ The same file is duplicated in several folders.

Interesting fact: on some smartphones (for example, Samsung with shell One UI) the cache can take up to 5–7 GB after a year of use, even if you regularly delete unnecessary files manually. The reason is hidden system caches that are not cleared by standard means.

How to check how much cache your applications accumulate

Before cleaning, you need to understand which apps they are the main cache eaters. For this, you do not need to install third-party utilities. enough built-in tools Android.

Method 1: Through Settings → Applications

1. Open Settings → Applications (or All applications).
2. Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Scroll down the list - applications with the largest cache will be at the top.
4. Click on any application → Storage → look at the value in the line Cache.

Method 2: Through Settings → Storage

• Go to Settings → Storage (or Memory).
• In section Other applications or System data you will see the total cache size.
• On some devices (for example, Xiaomi) there is also button Clear cache for all applications at once.

Application	Typical cache size	Is it possible to clear	Consequences cleaning
Google Chrome	500 MB - 2 GB	Yes	Sites will take longer to load when first opened
Instagram	300 MB - 1 GB	Yes	Photos and videos in the feed will be loaded again
YouTube	1 GB - 3 GB	Yes	The video buffer will be empty, the quality will be reduced to standard
Google Play Services	200 MB - 1 GB	Caution	Account synchronization errors may occur
Games (Genshin Impact, PUBG)	2 GB - 10 GB	Partially	The game will take longer to load, but the saves will remain

Cache Google Play Services and Android System WebView it’s better not clearing manually - this can lead to service failures Google. If these applications take up too much space, try updating them via Play Market or reboot your device.

How to safely clear the cache on Android: 5 proven methods

You can delete the cache using different methods - from manual clearing to using specialized utilities. Choose a method depending on your goals:

• 🧹 Manual cleaning - suitable for selectively deleting individual caches. applications.
• 🤖 System tools — built-in functions Android for mass cleaning.
• 🛠️ Third-party applications —for deep cleaning and searching for hidden garbage.
• 🔄 Resetting the cache in recovery —a radical method for experienced users.
• ⚙️ Automatic clearing —setting up regular cache deletion.

Let's look at each method in detail.

1. Manually clearing the cache through settings

The safest method that does not require superuser rights (rootSuitable for clearing the cache of specific applications.

Open. Settings → Applications|Select the desired application → Storage|Click "Clear cache"|Restart the application to check-->

⚠️ Attention: Do not confuse the buttons Clear cache and Clear data! The second will delete all application settings (logins, saves, personalization), and it will return to its state! "as after installation."

2. Mass clearing via storage

On some firmware (for example, MIUI from Xiaomi or ColorOS from Oppo) there is a built-in function to clear the cache of all applications at once:

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Free up space.
2. Select a category Cached data or Temporary files.
3. Click Clear and confirm the action.

This method is faster than the manual one, but does not allow you to control which application cache is deleted. After cleaning, it is recommended to restart the device.

3. Third-party applications for deep cleaning

If the built-in tools do not work, you can use them. utilities like CCleaner, SD Maid or Files by Google. They can:

• 🔍 Find residual files of deleted applications.
• 🗑️ Remove duplicate caches.
• 📊 Show detailed statistics for each type of garbage.

Example of work c Files by Google:

1. Install the application from Play Market.
2. Open the tab Cleaning.
3. Select a category Application cache.
4. Mark unnecessary files and click Clear.

⚠️ Attention: Some "cleaners" (especially little-known ones) may collect data about your applications or show aggressive advertising. Before installation, check reviews and ratings Play Market.

4. Clearing the cache via recovery (for experienced users)

This method is used if the smartphone is very slow or does not turn on due to a full cache. Requires entering recovery mode (recovery mode).

How to enter recovery on different smartphones

Samsung: Turn off the phone → Press Volume up + Power + Bixby (if any) → Release after the logo appears. Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco: Turn off → Press Volume up + Power → In the menu, select Recovery. Google Pixel: Power off → Press Volume down + Power → In the menu, select Recovery mode.

B recovery:

1. Use the volume buttons to navigate.
2. Select item Wipe cache partition.
3. Confirm the action (usually with the power button).
4. After cleaning, select Reboot system now.

⚠️ Attention: Do not confuse Wipe cache partition with Wipe data/factory reset! The second item will completely reset the phone to factory settings, deleting all your data.

5. Automatic cache clearing

In order not to clear the cache manually, you can configure automatic deletion:

• 📱 In Android 12+: Settings → Storage → Free up space → Automatic cleaning (turn on the slider).
• 🤖 On Samsung: Settings → Device care → Automatic optimization.
• 🔄 In Files by Google: enable the option Auto-clean in the settings.

Which cached files CANNOT be deleted (and why)

Not all cache is equally useful or safe to delete. Some files are critical for the stable operation of the system. Clearing them can lead to:

• ❌ Crashes in the operation of applications (for example, Google Maps it will take a long time to load cards).
• ❌ Loss of authorization in accounts (you will have to re-enter logins and passwords).
• ❌ Synchronization errors (for example, contacts or mail will not be updated).
• ❌ Increasing traffic consumption (applications will have to be downloaded again data).

List of cache, which is not recommended to be deleted:

• 🚫 Cache Google Play Services —responsible for the operation of services Google (authorization, geolocation, push notifications).
• 🚫 Cache Android System WebView - needed to display web content in applications.
• 🚫 System application cache (Settings, Phone, Messages) - can lead to failures in basic functions.
• 🚫 Application cache with important data (Banking apps, Messengers with encryption).

If you nevertheless cleared the critical cache and encounter problems, try:

1. Reboot the device.
2. Update the problematic application via Play Market.
3. Clear the data of this application only (not the cache!) and configure it again.

How to prevent the accumulation of unnecessary cache

It is better to prevent the cache from filling up the memory than to waste time cleaning it later. Here are a few simple rules:

• 🔄 Regularly update applications —new versions. often optimize work with the cache.
• 🗑️ Delete unused apps —even if you don’t use them, their cache continues to grow.
• 📵 Limit background activity —in application settings, disable autorun and synchronization in background.
• 📡 Use "Lite" versions of applications (for example, Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite) - they cache less data.
• 📥 Clean up downloads — folder Download often contains unnecessary files that also take up space.

On devices with Android 10 and newer, you can set up automatic deletion of unused files:

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Free up space.
2. Enable the option Automatic cleanup.
3. Select the period of inactivity (for example, “Delete files that have not been accessed for 30 days”).

For games (for example, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile), you can manually limit the cache size:

1. Open the game settings.
2. Find the section Graphics or Storage.
3. Reduce texture quality or disable caching of unnecessary resources.

What to do if problems remain after clearing the cache

Clearing the cache does not always solve all problems with performance. If the smartphone still slows down or discharges quickly, check the following points:

• 🔋 Battery condition — if the capacity has dropped below 70%, the phone will work slower even with a clear cache.
• 🦠 Viruses or malware — some apps disguise themselves as cache, but in fact they steal. data.
• 🔄 Memory fragmentation —over time, files on the drive become scattered, and the system takes more time to read them.
• 📉 Lack of RAM —if you have less than 3 GB of RAM, even clearing the cache will not work will save you from slowdowns.

Diagnosis of problems:

Symptom	Possible cause	Solution
The phone is getting very hot	Background processes or viruses	Check in Settings → Battery → Usage
Applications crash	Corrupted cache or data	Clear the cache and data of the problematic application
Slow file loading	Cache is full Google Play Services	Update services Google via Play Market
No disk space	Hidden system files or junk	Use Files by Google for deep cleaning

If none of the methods helped, consider the following steps:

1. Reset the network settings (Settings → System → Reset → Reset network settings).
2. Update the firmware to the latest version (check in Settings → System → Update Software).
3. Reset to factory settings (save important data first!).

⚠️ Attention: On some smartphones (for example, Huawei without services Google) standard methods for clearing the cache may not work. In this case, use proprietary utilities (Phone Clone, Huawei Mobile Services) or contact the service center.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about cached files on Android

Is it possible to clear the cache every day?

Frequently clearing the cache is not recommended. applications constantly recreate temporary files, which can increase traffic consumption and slow down work apps. The optimal frequency is once every 1-2 months or if there is a lack of memory.

Why do some applications run slower after clearing the cache?

This is normal! When you first start after clearing, the application has to re-create the cache (download data, compile files). After 1-2 uses, the speed will return to its previous level. If the brakes remain, check whether you cleared application data instead of the cache.

How to clear the cache of system applications if the button is inactive?

On some smartphones (for example, Samsung or Xiaomi), the system application cache is blocked. To clear it:

1. Use ADB (requires a computer and USB debugging).
2. Log in recovery and select Wipe cache partition.
3. Install a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher) - sometimes this unlocks access to system settings.

⚠️ Be careful: incorrect actions with system files can lead to brick (breakage) of the device.

Cleaning cache deletes my photos or messages?

No! The cache and user data (photos, videos, correspondence) are stored in different memory sections. Clearing the cache does not affect:

• 📸 Photos and videos in the gallery.
• 💬 Messages in instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
• 📁 Files in folders DCIM, Downloads, Documents.

However, if you If you press Clear data (not the cache!), you will lose the application settings and saves.

Is it true that clearing the cache speeds up battery charging?

No, it's a myth. data-i="369">on the charging speed, since: does not affect on the charging speed, since:

• 🔋 Charging depends on the power controller and battery condition.
• ⚡ Cache is data in memory, not processes that consume energy.

However, if The cache was damaged, clearing it can eliminate background errors that indirectly drained the battery.