How to completely get rid of the cache on Android: 7 proven methods

The cache on Android is temporary files that are created by applications and the system to speed up work. Over time, they accumulate, taking up gigabytes of memory, slowing down the smartphone and causing errors. But simply deleting the cache through the settings often does not solve the problem completely: hidden system files, fragmented data and garbage from deleted applications remain.

In this article you will learn how clear the cache correctly on any Android device - from budget ones Xiaomi Redmi to flagship Samsung Galaxy S24. We will analyze not only standard methods, but also hidden functions available through ADB, Recovery Mode and third-party utilities. We’ll also explain why after clearing the cache, some applications may temporarily run slower —and how to avoid it.

1. What is the cache on Android and why it needs to be cleared

Cache (from English cache —“cache”) is temporary files that are created by:

• 📱 Applications (photos, videos, authorization data, thumbnails)
• 🤖 Android system (Dalvik cache, ART cache, update files)
• 🌐 Browsers (cookies, history, cached pages)
• 🎮 Games (textures, levels, saves)

Without a cache, applications would have to download the same data repeatedly, wasting traffic and time. But over time, the cache grows to 5–15 GB and begins:

• ⚠️ Slow down the smartphone (lags, freezes)
• 📉 Take up space on the internal storage
• 🔄 Cause errors in applications (for example, YouTube video does not load)
• 🔋 Increase battery consumption (background cache clearing)

⚠️ Attention: Do not confuse the cache with application data! The cache can be deleted without consequences, and deleting data will lead to logging out of accounts and resetting settings.

How much cache accumulates on average?

Device type	Cache volume for 6 months	What takes up the most
Budget smartphones (Redmi 12, Samsung A14)	3–7 GB	Social networks, instant messengers, browsers
Middle segment (POCO X6, Realme 11 Pro)	7–12 GB	Games, streaming services
Flagships (Galaxy S24 Ultra, Pixel 8 Pro)	10–20 GB	4K video, AR applications, AI functions

2. Standard cache clearing through Android settings

The easiest way is to use it. built-in tools. The instructions are suitable for all versions of Android from 7.0 Nougat to 15 (2026).

How to clear the cache of an individual application:

1. Open Settings → Applications.
2. Select the desired application (for example, Telegram or Chrome).
3. Click Storage → Clear cache.

How to clear the cache all applications at once:

• 🔧 Go to Settings → Storage.
• 📊 Tap on Others applications or System data (the name depends on the firmware).
• 🧹 Select Clear cache (may be called Free up space).

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example Huawei c EMUI), the option to bulk clear the cache is hidden. In this case, use the methods in the following sections.

3. Dalvik cache and system files

Standard methods do not delete Dalvik cache —these are optimized Android virtual machine files that are created when installing or updating applications:

• 🐢 Fix errors. like "The application has stopped".
• 🔄 Speed up work after updating Android.
• 📦 Free up 500 MB–2 GB space.

How to clear the Dalvik cache:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Hold Power button + Volume up (on some models Samsung — Power + Bixby + Volume up).
3. In the menu Recovery Mode select Wipe cache partition (control volume buttons, confirmation - power button).
4. After cleaning, reboot the device (Reboot system now).

On devices with MIUI (for example, Xiaomi 14) the path may be different:

Recovery → Advanced → Wipe Dalvik Cache

What happens if you clear the Dalvik cache?

When you first boot after cleaning, Android rebuilds the cache, so the smartphone may slow down for 5-10 minutes. This is normal! Do not interrupt the process.

4. Clearing the cache via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods do not help, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) a debugging tool that allows you to control your smartphone via a computer. This method is suitable for:

• 📱 Devices with a damaged screen (when the sensor cannot be used).
• 🔒 Smartphones with limited settings (for example, work phones).
• 🛠️ Removing the system application cache (for example, Google Play Services).

Instructions:

1. Download ADB Tools on PC.
2. Enable on your smartphone Developer mode (tap on the build number 7 times in Settings → About the phone).
3. Activate USB debugging in the developer settings.
4. Connect your smartphone to the PC and run the commands:

adb shell
pm list packages -f grep | 'cache' # Shows applications with a large cache
pm clear --user 0 com.example.app # Clears the cache for a specific package

To bulk clear the cache of all user applications:

adb shell pm trim-caches 100G

⚠️ Warning: Do not clear the cache of system applications (for example com.android.systemui) unnecessarily - this can lead to interface failures.

5. Automatically clearing the cache: the best applications

For It is convenient to use specialized utilities for regular cleaning. We tested 15 applications and selected the top 3:

Application	Features	Cons
SD Maid	⚡ Clears cache, junk, empty files folders 🔍 Finds duplicate photos and videos 📊 Shows detailed statistics	Paid version is needed for deep cleaning
CCleaner	🧹 Removes cache, browser history, temporary files 🔋 Optimizes autoloading 📱 Easy interface	Advertising in the free version
Files by Google	🗑️ Built into Android on many devices 📂 Removes not only cache, but also unnecessary files 🔍 Scans memory for garbage	Does not clear Dalvik cache

How to use SD Maid:

1. Download the application from Google Play.
2. Start scanning (CorpseFinder looks for garbage from deleted applications).
3. Select Cache in the section Cleaner.
4. Click Run now and confirm cleaning.

6. Clearing browser cache: Chrome, Firefox, Samsung Internet

Browsers are the main cache “drives”. For example, Google Chrome can take up to 1–3 GB temporary files, cookies and site data. Cleaning helps:

• 🔒 Remove traces of visited sites.
• 🚀 Speed up page loading.
• 🛡️ Correct type errors ERR_CACHE_MISS.

How to clear the cache in Google Chrome:

1. Open the browser and tap ⋮ (Menu).
2. Select History → Clear data.
3. Set the checkboxes:
   • 🗃️ Cookies and site data
   • 🖼️ Cached images and files

Select a period (All time) and click Delete data.

For Samsung Internet i Firefox the path is similar, but with nuances:

• 🦊 In Firefox there is an option Clear on exit (in the privacy settings).
• 📱 In Samsung Internet you can clear the cache separately for each site in Settings → Personal data.

7. When clearing the cache does not help: alternatives. solutions

If after clearing the cache the smartphone still slows down, the problem may be deeper:

• 🧩 Memory fragmentation: even after clearing the cache, files are scattered throughout the drive. Solution - storage optimization (in the memory settings).
• 🦠 Viruses or malware: some applications restore the cache immediately after clearing. Check the device through Malwarebytes.
• 🔄 Outdated firmware: on Android 9 and below the cache is managed less efficiently.
• 💾 Problems with the drive: if the free space “disappears” by itself, check the health of the memory through ADB:

  adb shell df -h

Extreme method - reset to factory settings. It deletes all data, including the cache, but should only be used if:

• 📉 The smartphone has become unbearably slow.
• 🔧 Other methods did not help.
• 📦 You have a backup copy.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, OnePlus s OxygenOS), resetting to factory settings does not clears the Dalvik cache. After resetting, go to Recovery and perform Wipe cache partition manually.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about clearing the cache on Android

❓ Do I need to clear the cache regularly?

No, it is enough to do this once every 1-3 months or when lags appear. Frequently clearing the cache can, on the contrary slow down, since applications will have to rebuild temporary files.

❓ Why do some applications work after clearing the cache? slower?

This is normal! Applications need time to restore optimized files. For example, Instagram or TikTok may take longer to load content in the first 5-10 minutes after cleaning.

❓ Is it possible to clear the cache without losing data?

Yes, clearing the cache does not affect personal files (photos, videos, messages). The exception is the cache of some messengers (for example, WhatsApp), where media files are temporarily stored. They will disappear, but the originals will remain in chats.

❓ How to clear the cache on Android without access to the settings (for example, if you have a phone) blocked)?

There are 3 ways:

1. Connect via ADB (pre-activation of debugging is required).
2. Boot into Recovery Mode and select Wipe cache partition.
3. Use Find My Device from Google for a remote reset (but this will delete all data!).

❓ Is it true that clearing the cache saves battery power?

Indirectly, yes, a full cache forces the system to access the drive more often. consumes energy. But the effect is minimal: at best, you will gain 5-15 minutes work from one charge.