How to increase the cache size on Android and speed up the system

Many users are faced with a situation where the smartphone starts to work slower, and applications crash or take a long time to load. Often the reason is that it is overcrowded or, conversely, critically small cache partition, which cannot cope with the volume of temporary data of modern services. In this article, we will look at the technical aspects of buffer memory and ways to optimize storage.

It is worth immediately clarifying an important technical nuance: the concept of “increasing the cache” in Android is often confused with freeing up space for the cache or moving applications. Operating system it controls the allocation of RAM, but the user can influence the allocation of internal memory and the use of external ones drives. Understanding these processes will help you configure the device correctly.

We will look at not only software methods, but also ways to work with file systemthat allow you to effectively use every gigabyte of available space. Be prepared for the fact that some methods will require attention, but the result is worth it - your gadget will work faster.

⚠️ Attention: Interfering with system memory sections may lead to loss of warranty or unstable operation of the device. You perform all actions at your own peril and risk, having previously saved backup copies of important data.

What is a cache and why does it need more space

A cache is an area of ​​memory designed to store temporary files that speed up the launch of frequently used apps. When you open Instagram or a browser, the system loads part of the data into this buffer so that when you access it again, it does not read information from the slow main storage. The larger the available capacity, the less the system has to remove useful data ahead of time.

However, if the cache becomes full or fragmented, this leads to the opposite effect - interface slowdown. The way Android works means that if there is not enough space, old files are deleted, but sometimes this process does not work correctly. As a result, the device begins to “stutter”, trying to find a place for new temporary files.

Increasing the available cache space (or creating the illusion of such an increase using an external card) allows applications to work more stable. This is especially true for heavy games and instant messengers that store gigabytes of media files. It is critically important to have free space of at least 15-20% of the total internal memory for caching to work correctly.

• 🚀 Speeding up the launch of frequently used applications by storing their components in quick access.
• 📉 Reducing the load on the main storage, which extends the life of the smartphone's flash memory.
• 🔄 Stable operation of streaming services without constant downloads and video buffering.

⚠️ Attention: Menu interfaces and item names may differ depending on the version of Android and the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS). If you do not find the item you need, check the official documentation for your model.

Analysis of the current state of the device memory

Before making changes, you need to understand what exactly your memory is doing. Standard Android tools often hide detailed information, so it's worth using the built-in storage analyzer. Go to Settings → Memoryto see the distribution of space between applications, images and system files.

Pay special attention to the “Other” or “System data” section. Remnants of deleted apps, error logs and orphaned cache files often accumulate there. Cleaning this section can instantly free up several gigabytes, which is equivalent to increasing the available cache for new tasks.

For a deeper analysis, you can use commands via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), if on USB debugging is enabled on the device. This allows you to see hidden partitions and understand which process is taking up the most resources in the background.

adb shell dumpsys meminfo

This command will display a detailed report of the RAM consumption of each process. And to analyze the disk space, the command adb shell dfwill help, which will show the actual use of file system partitions.

Using an SD card as a cache extension

The most affordable way to increase the amount of available storage is to use a microSD memory card. Modern versions of Android allow you to use the card not just as a file dump, but also as a full-fledged extension of the internal memory. This feature is called Adoptable Storage.

To activate this mode, insert a quality card (speed class U3 or higher) and format it as internal storage. After this, the system will transfer part of the system data and application cache to external media. This will free up precious space on the built-in chip, which is usually faster and more reliable.

However, there is a caveat: not all applications allow their cache to be transferred to the SD card for security and performance reasons. If an application is critical to reading speed, Android may prevent it from moving. In this case, only manual configuration or root access will help.

• 💾 Buy memory cards only from trusted brands (Samsung, SanDisk, Kingston) to avoid data loss.
• ⚡ The card reading speed must be at least 90 MB/s for comfortable operation of applications.
• 🔒 After formatting, the card will be available only on this smartphone without loss data.

Setting developer and process limits

The hidden “For Developers” menu contains tools that allow you to fine-tune the system’s behavior with memory. To get there, you need to click on the build number 7 times in the Settings → About phonesection. After activating the menu, a new item will appear in the main settings.

We are interested in the “Applications” or “Running Applications” section. Here you can find the "Background process limit" setting. By default, the system itself decides how many applications to keep in memory. Forcing this setting can force Android to more aggressively keep applications in the cache without unloading them.

There is also a “Do not keep active” option here. If enabled, the system will not save application state on exit, effectively disabling state caching. Make sure this feature Disabledif you want apps to launch instantly.

Parameter	Recommended value	Impact on cache
Process limit	Standard limit	Balance between RAM and cache
Background scan	Enabled	Background activity control
Do not save activity	Disabled	Enables state caching
Dalvik cache size	Auto/Default	Optimizing Java code startup

⚠️ Attention: Changing background process limits on devices with a small amount of RAM (less than 3 GB) may lead to increased application restarts and a decrease in overall performance.

Force Move applications

Many users do not know that Android by default prohibits the transfer of system and some user applications to the SD card. However, there is a method to bypass this limitation through ADB. This allows you to move the application body itself and part of its data, freeing up the internal cache.

To do this, connect your smartphone to your computer, enable USB debugging and enter the command to change the package installer settings. This action requires caution because migrated applications may run slower if the memory card is of poor quality.

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

A value of "2" instructs the system to prefer external storage. A value of "0" returns the default behavior (automatic selection), and "1" forces everything to internal memory. After applying the command, try reinstalling or updating the heavy application so that it fits in a new place.

What to do if the command does not work?

If the system ignores the command, the manufacturer may have blocked this feature at the firmware level. In this case, only flashing to a custom assembly or using root access with applications like Link2SD will help.

Cleaning and optimizing the Dalvik and ART cache

The Android virtual machine (formerly Dalvik, now ART) uses its own cache for optimized application files (.odex/.oat). Over time, this cache can grow large or become corrupted, causing errors. Clearing it is a safe way to “refresh” the system without losing personal data.

To perform this operation, you will need access to Recovery mode. Usually, to log in you need to turn off the phone and hold down a combination of buttons (often Volume Down + Power or Volume Up + Power). In the recovery menu, select Wipe Cache Partition.

It is important not to confuse this item with Wipe Data/Factory Reset, which will completely delete all your data. Clearing the cache partition only affects temporary system files. After a reboot, the system will re-form the cache, which may take a few minutes, but will speed up performance in the long run.

• 🧹 Removes temporary system update files, which often take up hundreds of megabytes.
• 🛠 Solves problems with "bootloop" (cyclic reboot) after a firmware update.
• ⚡ Does not affect your photos, contacts and installed applications.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to keep the cache full all the time?

No, filling the cache to capacity (more than 90-95% of the partition volume) leads to performance degradation. The system does not have enough room to maneuver, write new temporary files, which causes freezes.

Can the cache take up the entire memory of the phone?

Theoretically, yes, if applications do not work correctly and do not delete old data. In such cases, clearing the cache of a specific application through the settings or completely reinstalling the problematic software helps.

Do I need to install applications to clear the cache?

In most cases, no. Built-in Android tools and periodic manual cleaning via Recovery work more efficiently and securely than third-party “cleaners”, which themselves consume resources.

Does the cache size affect the battery charge?

Indirectly. If the cache is fragmented or full, the processor and drive work harder to find data, which increases power consumption. Optimized cache helps save energy.