Have you ever noticed that even after clearing the cache through the Android settings, free space on the device does not magically increase? The fact is that the operating system and applications store hidden cache fileswhich are not displayed in standard menus. This data can take up from 500 MB to several gigabytes —especially on devices with Android 10+where Google has tightened control over system partitions.

Problem is aggravated by the fact that smartphone manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme) often modify firmware by adding their own caching mechanisms. For example, proprietary shells One UI and MIUI create duplicate cache folders to speed up the interface, but forget to offer users tools for cleaning them. As a result, even after resetting to factory settings, some of the garbage remains untouched.

In this guide we will look at 7 ways to find the hidden cache from simple (via the file manager) to advanced (using ADB i root-access). You will learn which folders can be deleted without risk, and which ones are strictly prohibited from being touched. We will pay special attention to cache of system applications (for example, Google Play Services), which can weigh up to 1.5 GB and is not cleared by standard means.

1. Standard Android tools: what are they hiding?

Let's start with the obvious: Android's built-in cache clearing functions work selectively. When you go to Settings → Applications → [Select application] → Memory → Clear cachethe system deletes only user cache a specific application. In this case:

  • 📁 System cache (for example, update files Google Play or data Android System WebView) remains untouched.
  • 🔄 Cache Dalvik machines (used to speed up application launch) is not cleared without rebooting.
  • 🗑️ Temporary shell files (TouchWiz, ColorOS) can take up to 800 MB and will not appear in the application list.

To see the full size of the hidden cache, go to Settings → Memory. The category “Cached data” is displayed here, but the “Clear” button does not delete everything. For example, on Samsung Galaxy S22 after pressing this button, there remains up to 1.2 GB unaccounted cache in the folder /data/dalvik-cache.

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If there is no "Clear cache" button in the "Memory" section, try holding your finger on it for 3 seconds - on some firmware this opens a hidden menu.

2. File manager: where to look for hidden folders?

To manually search for a hidden cache, you will need a file manager with access to system partitions. The best options:

  • 🛠️ Solid Explorer (paid, but with a 14-day trial)
  • 📂 FX File Explorer (free, supports root)
  • 🔍 MiXplorer (for advanced users, requires configuration)

Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings (usually the option is called "Show hidden files" or "Show hidden files") Then check the following folders:

Folder path What is stored Can I delete?
/data/dalvik-cache Dalvik/ART cache (acceleration of application launching) ⚠️ Only through recovery or ADB
/cache Temporary update and log files ✅ Yes (cleared upon reboot)
/data/app-asec Cache of applications installed on the SD card ✅ Yes (but applications may crash)
/data/data/*/cache Cache of individual applications (including system ones) ✅ Only folders of specific applications

⚠️ Attention: Deleting files from /data/dalvik-cache without rebooting into recovery will lead to system crash. If you need to deep clean this folder, use the command:

adb shell rm -r /data/dalvik-cache/*

But keep in mind that after this, turning on the phone for the first time will take up to 10 minutes - the system will restore the cache. again.

📊 Which file manager do you use?
Built-in (from the manufacturer)
Solid Explorer
FX File Explorer
MiXplorer
Other

3. ADB commands: advanced cleaning without root

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) allows you to manage hidden ones partitions without superuser rights. This method works on all devices with USB debugging enabled (activated in Settings → About phone → Number assembly - press 7 times, then return to Settings → System → For developers).

Connect your phone to the PC, open the command line (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and run:

  1. Check connection: 
    adb devices

    (the serial number of your device should be displayed)

  2. Clearing the cache of all user applications: 
    adb shell pm trim-caches -1
  3. Deleting temporary update files: 
    adb shell rm -rf /cache/*
  4. Clearing the cache Google Play Services (can free up to 1 GB): 
    adb shell pm clear com.google.android.gms

⚠️ Attention: The command pm clear for system applications (Google Play Services, Android System) will reset their settings. After execution, you may need to re-authorize your Google account and configure notifications.

Install ADB drivers on PC|Enable USB debugging on your phone|Connect your phone with the original cable|Check the connection with the adb devices command|Make a backup copy of important data-->

4. Root access: full control over the cache

If your device has unlocked bootloader i root access (for example, through Magisk), you get access to system folders that are usually hidden. The most effective tools for working with the cache:

  • 🧹 SD Maid (automatic cleaning) garbage, including cache Dalvik)
  • 🔧 Root Explorer (manual management of system files)
  • 📊 DiskUsage (visualization of occupied space)

With root you can:

  1. Delete cache all system applications with one command: 
    su

    rm -rf /data/data//cache/
    

    rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*

  2. Clear the folder /cache/boot.imgwhere temporary kernel files are stored.
  3. Delete cache ARCore (if not using AR applications), which can weigh up to 300 MB.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Dynamic Partitioning (for example, Pixel 4+, Samsung Galaxy S21+), cleaning /data can lead to soft-brick (the device boots, but the interface does not work). In this case, only flashing via fastboot.

What is Dynamic Partitioning?

This is a technology introduced in Android 10 that allows you to dynamically resize system partitions on such devices. clearing the cache can disrupt the partition structure, since the system expects the presence of certain files in order to work correctly.

5. Hidden cache in cloud services and instant messengers

Many applications store a cache not only on the device, but also in the cloud - and this data also takes up space. For example:

  • 📱 Google Photos caches thumbnails and previews even after deleting the originals.
  • 💬 Telegram and WhatsApp save media files in a hidden folder /storage/emulated/0/Android/media.
  • 🎵 Spotify and YouTube Music store offline cache in encrypted folders.

To clear this cache:

  1. For Google Photos: 
    Settings → Free up space

    (deletes those already uploaded to the cloud files)

  2. For Telegram: 
    Settings → Data and memory → Clear Telegram cache
  3. For Spotify: 
    Settings → Storage → Clear cache

⚠️ Attention: The MIUI 12+ (on Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO) folder /Android/media can be hidden even for file managers. To see it, you need to disable the "Personal data protection" function in the security settings.

6. Alternative methods: Recovery and factory reset

If standard methods do not help, radical measures remain:

  1. Cleaning via Recovery:
    • Turn off the phone.
    • Press Power + Volume Up (on Samsung — Power + Bixby + Volume Up).
    • Select "Wipe cache partition" (not to be confused with "Wipe data»!).

    This method clears the folder /cache, but does not affect user data.

  2. Reset to factory settings:
    • Deletes entire cache, including the system one.
    • Requires backup copying data.
    • On some devices (for example, Huawei s EMUI) after the reset there remains up to 500 MB garbage in the folder /huawei/backup.

🔹 Key conclusion: If the goal is only clearing the cache, Wipe cache partition it is safer than resetting. However, on devices with recovery safer than resetting. However, on devices with A/B partitions (for example, Pixel, OnePlus 6T+) this method may not work - the system will automatically restore the cache from the backup one. copies.

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On modern Android devices (Android 11+), clearing the cache via recovery is often useless due to the A/B update mechanism, which duplicates system files.

7. Automation: applications for monitoring the cache

To avoid searching for the hidden cache manually, use specialized utilities:

Application Functions Requires root?
CCleaner Cache clearing, memory analysis, duplicate removal ❌ No
Files by Google Search for large files and cache, cleaning recommendations ❌ No
All-In-One Toolbox Deep cleaning, optimization startup ⚠️ Partially (for system folders - yes)
Greenify Freezing background processes, reducing cache ✅ Yes (for full functionality)

🔹 Important: Applications like CCleaner Often show inflated "free space" numbers. For example, they may take into account files that the system will restore the next time you run the application. Real memory savings are usually 20-30% less than stated.

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Automatic cache cleaners are useful for regular maintenance, but are not a replacement. manual check of system folders.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the hidden cache on Android

Is it possible to clear the cache of system applications (for example, Google Play Services)?

Yes, but with caution Google Play Services you can clear it. via Settings → Applications → Google Play Services → Memory → Clear cache. However, completely deleting data (Clear storagewill lead to failures in Google services (for example, applications will stop updating). It is better to use the ADB-command - it will reset the settings, but will not delete critical files. pm clear com.google.android.gms — it will reset the settings, but will not delete critical files.

Why is space not freed up after clearing the cache?

There are several reasons for this:

  1. System limitations: Android reserves up to 10% of the memory for its needs (this is not displayed in the settings).
  2. Zombie files: Some applications (for example, Facebook) immediately restore the cache after clearing.
  3. File system errors: On devices with damaged memory (for example, after a fall), the system may incorrectly calculate free space. Checking through will help. ADB: 
    adb shell df -h

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

If you do not have access to the Android interface, but have access to recovery, follow these steps:

  1. Boot into recovery (the combination of buttons depends on the model).
  2. Select "Mount" and connect the phone to the PC via ADB.
  3. Run the commands: 
    adb shell

    rm -rf /cache/*
    

    rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*

  4. Reboot the device.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Samsung s Knox) this may trigger Knox Warranty Voidwhich will void the warranty.

Is it worth using applications to automatically clear the cache?

Automatic cleaners (for example, Clean Master, DU Speed Booster) often do more harm than good:

  • 🔄 They can delete files necessary for applications to work, which leads to crashes.
  • 📊 Many of them consume resources themselves, working in the background.
  • 🛡️ Some applications (for example Cheetah Mobile) have been caught collecting user data.

It is better to use the built-in Android tools or proven utilities like SD Maid (only with root).

How to check how much Is the cache occupied by a specific application?

There are several ways:

  1. Through Settings → Applications → [Select application] → Memory (shows only the user cache).
  2. Via ADB: 
    adb shell dumpsys package [package_name] | grep cache

    (for example, Facebook use com.facebook.katana)

  3. Via DiskUsage (application with visualization of occupied space).

On Android 12+ part of the cache may be displayed as “Other data" - these are encrypted files that the system cannot classify.