Smartphones series Galaxy J from the company Samsung, especially model J3 2017, still remain popular due to its reliability and availability. However, over time, even the most reliable device begins to slow down. The main reason for this phenomenon is the accumulation of temporary files that the system and applications create to speed up their work, but over time begin to slow down the device.
Cache is a memory area designed to store intermediate data. When you open an application or website, the smartphone saves some information so that it does not have to be downloaded again the next time you launch it. This saves traffic and CPU time. But in conditions of limited resources Android on budget models, an overfilled cache becomes a “stone on the neck”, causing freezes and lack of space.
In this article we will look in detail at how to properly and safely delete this data. We will look at cleaning methods for both individual apps and the entire system. You will learn to distinguish important files from garbage and understand why a simple reboot does not always solve the problem.
Why the cache accumulates and interferes with the operation of the Samsung J3
The operating system Android is designed in such a way that it strives to use the available RAM and permanent memory to the maximum. This is not a bug, but a feature of the architecture. Applications save thumbnail images, temporary error logs, and loaded interface elements. On powerful flagships this is not noticeable, but for Samsung Galaxy J3 with its modest characteristics, every megabyte counts.
When the volume of temporary files becomes critical, you may notice clear signs of problems. The smartphone takes a long time to open the menu, photos in the gallery load with a delay, and the browser constantly crashes. Users often confuse the cache with personal data, afraid of deleting something important. It is important to understand: clearing the cache NOT deletes your photos, contacts or passwords.
⚠️ Attention: Clearing the browser cache will delete saved passwords on sites and browsing history if you have not synchronized them with your Google account. Make sure you remember your logins before the procedure.
There are two main types of cache that you will work with: the individual application cache and the system cache (recovery partition). The first is cleared through the phone settings, the second - through a special service menu. Both methods are safe if you follow the instructions.
Regularly clearing the cache every 2-3 weeks extends the life of flash memory on older smartphones, reducing the load on the memory controller.
Clearing the cache of individual applications through settings
The easiest and safest way to free up space is to delete temporary files specific apps that consume the most resources. Usually these are social networks, instant messengers and browsers. In the model J3 2017 the path to these settings is standardized, but may differ slightly depending on the firmware version.
First you need to get to the main settings menu. Find the gear icon on your desktop or notification shade. Next, the algorithm of actions is as follows:
- 📱 Go to section
Applications(orApplication Manager). - 🔍 In the list, find the app you want to clean (for example, YouTube or VK).
- 🗑️ Click on the item
Memoryand then select the buttonClear cache.
Please note that the button Clear data is different from clearing the cache. If you click it, the application will return to the “as after installation” state: the settings will be lost, you will be logged out of your account, and correspondence will be deleted (in some instant messengers). Use this function only if the application is not working correctly and simple clearing of the cache did not help.
☑️ Check before cleaning
Some system applications may not have an active cleanup button if they are critical to the operation of One UI or the old shell TouchWiz. In this case, the system blocks manual intervention to prevent crashes.
Using the built-in Samsung optimizer
Company Samsung has implemented a useful tool for automatic system maintenance in its devices. On the model J3 2017 it is called “Optimization” or “Device Maintenance”. This tool scans the phone and offers to delete unnecessary files with one click.
To use this function, go to Settings and find the item Device Maintenance. Inside you will see a pie chart displaying the status of the battery, memory and security. Click on the section Memory. The system will analyze the occupied volume and show the button Clear now.
This method is convenient because it removes not only the application cache, but also residual files from deleted apps, as well as duplicates. However, it is less thorough than manually cleaning each application separately. The algorithm may skip some large caches, considering them useful for. performance.
⚠️ Attention: The built-in optimizer may not remove the system update cache or the store cache Google Play, which often grows to gigabytes. They will require manual cleaning.
After the optimizer is finished, it is recommended to reboot the smartphone. This will allow the system to redistribute the free space and index files correctly. There is more free memory, and the interface response has improved.
Clearing the system cache through Recovery Mode
If the phone runs slowly even after clearing applications, the problem may lie in the system partition cache partitionThe temporary files of the operating system itself are stored here. Clearing this partition is safe and safe. does not delete your personal data, but requires entering a special recovery mode. Android. Erasing this partition is safe and does not delete your personal data, but it does require entering a special recovery mode.
To enter Recovery Mode on Samsung J3 2017 you need to completely turn off the device. Then you need to hold down the key combination On this model, this is usually the button Volume Up + Home (the central button under the screen) + Power. Hold them down at the same time until the logo appears Samsung, then release the Power button, but continue to hold the other two.
Volume Up + Home + Power -> Samsung logo -> Release Power -> Wait for Recovery menuIn the menu that appears, control is carried out with the volume buttons (up/down), and the selection is confirmed with the button Power. Find the item Wipe Cache Partition. confuse it with item Wipe Data/Factory Reset, which will completely delete everything from the phone!
| Action | Control buttons | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|
| Move through the menu | Volume Up / Down | No |
| Confirm selection | Power button | Depends on item |
| Wipe Cache | Select -> Yes | No (safe) |
| Factory Reset | Select -> Yes | High (delete everything) |
After selecting the cleaning item, the system will ask for confirmation. Select Yes. The process will take a few seconds. When completed, select the item Reboot System Now. The phone will reboot, and the first startup may take a little longer than usual - this is normal, the system rebuilds the cache. data-i="132">What to do if the Recovery menu does not appear?
What should I do if the Recovery menu does not appear?
If the button combination does not work, try connecting the switched off phone to the computer with a USB cable, and then hold down the buttons. On some versions of Android 7.0 and 8.0, this is a prerequisite to enter recovery mode.
Clearing the Google Play cache and services. Google
Services Google are the foundation of work AndroidApp Store Google Play Market and Google Play Services accumulate a huge amount of data about downloaded packages and updates. If you encounter an error when installing apps or updating the system, the problem often lies here.
The procedure is similar to clearing regular applications, but requires access to system services. Go to Settings -> Applications. Find Google Play Marketin the list. Click Memory and then Clear cache. Repeat the same steps for the application Services Google Play.
Sometimes you also need to clear application data Download Manager (Download Manager). This is a system utility that manages all downloads. Resetting its cache can solve the problem with "stuck" downloads that are not deleted in the usual way.
Clearing the Google services cache often solves problems with error "495", "403" or endless loading of content in the app store.
After doing these It is recommended to wait 5-10 minutes without loading the phone so that background services synchronize with the servers. Do not be alarmed if in the first minutes after cleaning the battery consumption increases slightly - this is the process of restoring indexing.
Deleting temporary files of the Chrome and Samsung Internet browser
Web browsers are one of the main “garbage collectors” in a smartphone. When watching videos, reading news and surfing the Internet, thousands of images, scripts and styles are saved. On Samsung J3 with its small amount of internal memory, this quickly becomes a problem.
If you are using a standard browser Samsung Internet, open it, click on the menu (three bars) and go to Settings -> Personal data -> Delete personal data. Here you can select the “Cached images and files”, “Cookies” and “History” checkboxes. Click the delete button.
For browser Google Chrome the path is a little different: click on the three dots in the corner -> History -> Clear history. Select the “All time” time range and make sure that there is a checkmark next to the item Images and other files saved in the cache.
⚠️ Attention: Clearing the browser cache will cause that the next time you visit your favorite sites, they will load a little slower, since the pictures will have to be downloaded again. This is a one-time slowdown.
Regular cleaning of browsers is especially important if you actively watch videos through the mobile version of sites. Video players often cache large fragments of videos, which take up hundreds of megabytes and are no longer needed after viewing.
In Chrome settings, you can enable the "Lite Mode" feature (if available in your version), which reduces the amount of cached data by compressing traffic on Google servers.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will clearing the cache delete my WhatsApp conversations?
No, clearing the cache (Clear Cache) only affects temporary files, such as photo thumbnails and downloaded stickers. Your correspondence, contacts and media files will be saved. However, if you press Clear data (Clear Data), the application will be reset to the factory state, and correspondence may be lost if there is no backup.
How often should you clear the cache on Samsung J3 2017?
The optimal frequency is once every 2-3 weeks or when signs of inhibition appear. You shouldn't do this every day, as the cache is designed to speed things up. Constant clearing will force the processor to process the same data over and over again, which can even increase battery consumption.
Why did little space free up after clearing the cache?
Perhaps the bulk of the memory is not occupied by temporary files, but by your personal photos, videos or heavy applications. Also, some applications (for example, offline maps or music players) store data in the “Data” section, and not in the “Cache,” and cleaning them requires deleting the content itself.
Is it safe to use third-party applications for cleaning (Clean Master and analogues)?
Using such applications on older models like J3 2017 not recommended. They themselves consume a lot of RAM, show ads and often only delete shortcuts and not actual files. Built-in Android tools are quite enough for effective cleaning.
What to do if the phone freezes after clearing the system cache?
Usually this is a temporary phenomenon during the first boot. Wait 10-15 minutes. If the phone does not respond for more than half an hour, try a forced reboot by holding down the Power and Volume Down buttons at the same time for 10-15 seconds.