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Clearing the Cache

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Overview:

This document provides instructions on how to clear your cache for all of your installed apps and the Android system. Clearing your cache on a regular basis is a good housekeeping tip for your phone. It helps to keep your phone running in tip-top shape. 

Clearing your cache will remove temporary files from your phone, but will not delete your files or settings. This can help to resolve issues with apps or with the Android system and improve the performance of your phone. This process may take several minutes to complete.

Please Note: If your phone is currently running KitKat, you can find the directions for clearing your phone's cache in Clearing the Cache (KitKat 4.4.4)‌.

Clear the Cache of All Installed Apps
Clear the Android System Cache

Clear the Cache of All Installed Apps 

Clearing app cache can help to resolve issues with your installed apps and helps to free up storage space on your phone by removing temporary files. None of your personal files or settings will be deleted. If you're having issues with some of your apps, or need to free up some additional space, follow the steps below. 

Google, Motorola, Nexus, and Samsung Phones Huawei Phone
  • Google Pixel and Pixel XL
  • Moto G4, G4 PLUS, and G4 PLAY
  • Moto G5 Plus
  • Moto X Pure Edition
  • Moto Z and Z Play
  • Nexus 5X, 6, and 6P
  • Samsung Galaxy J3, S6, S7, and S7 edge
  • Moto E (1st and 2nd Gen.)
  • Moto G (1st and 3rd Gen.)
  • Moto X (1st and 2nd Gen.)
  • Huawei Ascend 5W
More_Instructions_Button.png More_Instructions_Button.png

Google, Motorola, Nexus, and Samsung Phones: The following info refers to the Google Pixel and Pixel XL, Moto G4, G4 PLUS, and G4 PLAY, Moto G5 Plus, Moto X Pure Edition, Moto Z and Z PLAY, Nexus 5X, 6, and 6P, Samsung Galaxy J3, S6, S7, and S7 edge, Moto E (1st and 2nd Gen.), Moto G (1st and 3rd Gen.), and Moto X (1st and 2nd Gen.) phones only

Video

 Follow the step-by-step tutorial
  1. Tap Settings_Icon.png Settings from the app drawer.
  2. Tap Storage or Storage & USB.

    Note: If given the option, tap Internal storage.

  3. Tap Cached data.
  4. Tap OK or DELETE.

Huawei Phone: The following info refers to the Huawei Ascend 5W phone only.
  1. Tap Settings.png Settings.
  2. Tap Advanced settings.
  3. Tap Memory & storage.
  4. Tap Storage cleaner and wait until your phone finishes scanning.
  5. Ensure Cache trash is selected.
  6. Tap Clean.
  7. Once the cleaning process is done, tap Finish. 

Clear the Android System Cache 

Clearing the system cache can help to resolve issues and improve performance of your phone by removing temporary files associated with the Android operating system. None of your personal files or settings will be deleted. If your phone isn't running as smooth as it once did, try clearing the system cache by following the steps below.

Note: The Google Pixel and Pixel XL do not have the option to wipe the cache partition.   

Motorola and Nexus Phones Samsung Phones Huawei Phone
  • Moto G4, G4 PLUS, and G4 PLAY
  • Moto G5 Plus
  • Moto X Pure Edition
  • Moto Z and Z Play
  • Nexus 5X, 6, and 6P
  • Samsung Galaxy J3, S6, S7, and S7 edge
  • Huawei Ascend 5W
More_Instructions_Button.png More_Instructions_Button.png More_Instructions_Button.png
Motorola Phones Motorola Phones  
  • Moto E (1st Gen.)
  • Moto G (1st Gen.)
  • Moto X (1st and 2nd Gen.)
  • Moto E (2nd Gen.)
  • Moto G (3rd Gen.)
  
More_Instructions_Button.png More_Instructions_Button.png  

Motorola and Nexus Phones:

The following info refers to the Moto G4, G4 PLUS, and G4 PLAY, Moto G5 Plus, Moto Z and Z Play, Moto X Pure Edition, and Nexus 5X, 6, and 6P phones only.
  1. Turn off your phone and remove any charging cables.
  2. With the phone off, press and hold both the Volume Down and Power buttons at the same time for 2-3 seconds, then release both buttons.
  3. The phone will display some information about the phone, and will have "Start" highlighted on the right side of the screen. Use the Volume Down button to scroll through the options to "Recovery Mode" and press the Power button to select it.
  4. The phone will display the Motorola or Google logo, then the Android figure lying down with an exclamation point with the words "No Command" underneath. Press and hold the Power button and tap the Volume Up button.

    Note: If you wait too long to perform this step, the phone will reboot and you'll need to start the process again.

  5. The phone will display additional menu options. Use the Volume Down button to scroll to "Wipe cache partition" and press the Power button to select it.
  6. Use the Volume Down button to scroll to "Yes" and press the Power button to select it. The cache wipe will begin immediately.
  7. After the Cache Wipe is complete, the menu items will reappear, with "Reboot system now" highlighted. Press the Power button to select it. Your phone will restart.

Samsung Phones:

The following info refers to the Samsung Galaxy J3, S6, S7, and S7 edge phones only.
  1. Turn off your phone and remove any charging cables.
  2. Press and hold the Volume Up, Home, and Power buttons at the same time.
  3. Release the 3 buttons after the phone powers on and displays the Android logo.
  4. After several seconds, The Android Recovery Menu should appear.

    Note: If the Android logo followed by the Android Recovery Menu doesn't appear, you'll need to start the process again.

  5. Press the Volume Down button to highlight "wipe cache partition".
  6. Press the Power button to select it.
  7. Press the Volume Down button to highlight "yes" and press the Power button to select it.
  8. After the Cache Wipe is complete, menu items will reappear, with "Reboot system now" highlighted. Press the Power button to select it. 

Huawei Phone:

The following info refers to the Huawei Ascend 5W phone only.
  1. Turn off your phone and remove any charging cables.
  2. With the phone off, press and hold both the Volume Up and Power buttons at the same time, then release both buttons when the phone powers on.
  3. The phone will display the "EMUI" screen and will have "Reboot system now" highlighted at the bottom of the screen. Use the Volume Down button to scroll to "Wipe cache partition" and press the Power button to select it.
  4. The phone will display the status with "Formatting cache..." under the status indicator. Once the phone completes the cache wipe, you will see the EMUI screen again.
  5. Use the Volume Up button to scroll to "Reboot system now", then press the Power button to select it. Your phone will restart. 

Motorola Phones:

The following info refers to the Moto E (1st Gen.), Moto X (1st and 2nd Gen.), and Moto G (1st Gen.) phones only. 
  1. Turn off your phone and remove any charging cables.
  2. With the phone off, press and hold both the Volume Down and Power buttons at the same time for 2-3 seconds, then release both buttons.
  3. The phone will display different options. Use the Volume Down button to scroll through the options to "Recovery" and press the Volume Up button to select it.
  4. The phone will display the Motorola logo, then the Android figure lying down with an exclamation point with the words "No Command" underneath. Press and hold the Power button and tap the Volume Up button.

    Note: If you wait too long to perform this step, the phone will reboot and you'll need to start the process again.

  5. The phone will display additional menu options. Use the Volume Down button to scroll to "Wipe cache partition" and press the Power button to select it. The cache wipe will begin immediately.
  6. After the Cache Wipe is complete, the menu items will reappear, with "Reboot system now" highlighted. Press the Power button to select it. Your phone will restart.

Motorola Phones:

The following info refers to the Moto E (2nd Gen.) and Moto G (3rd Gen.) phones only. 
  1. Turn off your phone and remove any charging cables.
  2. With the phone off, press and hold both the Volume Down and Power buttons at the same time for 2-3 seconds, then release both buttons.
  3. The phone will display some information about the phone, and will have "Start" highlighted at the top right of the screen. Use Volume Down button to scroll through the options to "Recovery Mode" and press the Power button to select it.
  4. The phone will display the Motorola logo, then the Android figure lying down with an exclamation point with the words "No Command" underneath. Press and hold the Power button and tap the Volume Up button.

    Note: If you wait too long to perform this step, the phone will reboot and you'll need to start the process again.

  5. The phone will display additional menu options. Use the Volume Down button to scroll to "Wipe cache partition" and press the Power button to select it. The cache wipe will begin immediately.
  6. After the Cache Wipe is complete, the menu items will reappear, with "Reboot system now" highlighted. Press the Power button to select it. Your phone will restart.

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