What is the cache partition?
The cache partition is a dedicated space on an Android device to store temporary system data and app information. It serves as a fast access memory location that allows apps and the OS to load and run more quickly by storing frequently used data and files locally (1).
The types of data stored in the cache partition include:
- Cached app data like settings, login details, and preferences
- Cached media files like images, audio, and video
- Web browser cache and cookies
- Temporary app installation files
- Fragments of apps used often to accelerate launch times
The cache partition exists to speed up phone performance. By keeping frequently accessed app components and data in a quickly accessible partition, apps can launch faster and run more smoothly. It prevents the system from needing to reload data from slower storage every time an app runs (2). Overall, the cache partition improves efficiency and responsiveness of the Android system.
Does wiping the cache partition delete everything?
No, wiping the cache partition does not delete everything from your Android device. The cache partition contains temporary files and cached data from apps and the operating system. Wiping it only deletes this temporary data, not your personal content like photos, videos, documents, etc.
Here are some examples of the types of cached data that gets deleted when you wipe the cache partition:
- Temporary app files and cached app data
- Web browser cache and history
- Temporary system files and logs
- Cached graphics and UI elements
Wiping this temporary data can help free up storage space and improve performance by forcing apps to rebuild their cache. But no personal user data or accounts get deleted in the process 1. So wiping the cache partition simply cleans out the temporary clutter without removing anything important.
When to wipe the cache partition
There are a few common instances when it can be beneficial to wipe the cache partition on your Android device:
When experiencing performance issues or bugs – The cache partition can build up outdated files over time that lead to lag, freezes, app crashes, etc. Wiping it removes these temporary files and gives your device a “fresh start” which often resolves performance problems.
After major OS updates – Major Android OS updates involve updating many core system files. Wiping the cache partition cleans out any outdated files and ensures the new OS has a clean cache to work with.
When troubleshooting problems – If you are experiencing crashes, freezing, or other issues, wiping the cache partition can be one step to try during troubleshooting before factory resetting your device. It may resolve software-related problems.
Sources:
https://forums.androidcentral.com/threads/what-exactly-is-wipe-cache-partition.343560/
Always wipe cache partition after every update
byu/msbeyoncecarter inGalaxyS21
How to wipe the cache partition
Wiping the cache partition on an Android device is a simple process that involves accessing the recovery mode menu and selecting the “Wipe Cache Partition” option. Here are the steps to wipe the cache partition:
1. Power off the device completely.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up button and Power button at the same time. After a few seconds, you should see the Android recovery menu appear.
3. Use the volume buttons to scroll to the “Wipe Cache Partition” option and press the power button to select it.
4. Confirm that you want to wipe the cache partition. The process should only take a few seconds to complete.
5. After it finishes, use the volume buttons to scroll to “Reboot system now” and select it with the power button to restart your device.
That’s all there is to it! Wiping the cache partition will clear out various cached data and temporary files without deleting any personal data or settings. It’s a quick way to give your Android a fresh start if it’s running slow or acting buggy.
What gets deleted when wiping the cache partition?
Wiping the cache partition deletes temporary files that your Android device uses to store data in order to speed up processes. Here’s an overview of what gets deleted:
Temporary app and system files: The cache partition stores temporary app files that help apps run more smoothly. These files get recreated when needed and wiping them frees up space.
Browser history and cookies: Wiping the cache deletes your browser history and clears cookies. This can help resolve issues if your browser is malfunctioning.
Cached app data: Apps store some data temporarily in the cache partition to speed up loading and performance. Wiping the cache erases this data, which gets regenerated when the apps are used again.
In summary, the cache partition contains temporary helper files that can be deleted to potentially improve device performance without removing anything critical. Your apps, settings, media files, and other important data are stored in the main system storage partition which is not affected.
What does not get deleted when wiping the cache partition?
When wiping the cache partition on an Android device, personal user data is not deleted. This includes photos, videos, messages, contacts, call logs, and any other media or documents stored on the device internal storage or SD card (source). The cache partition stores temporary system files used to run apps and improve performance, so wiping it does not affect permanent user data.
In addition, downloaded apps are not deleted when wiping the cache partition. The apps themselves remain installed and intact. Wiping the cache simply clears out the temporary app data stored in the cache partition (source).
Finally, system settings and accounts are not impacted by wiping the cache partition. Settings for system preferences, WiFi networks, logged-in accounts, home screens, and other device configurations remain unchanged (source). The cache partition is separate from the system data partition where those settings are stored.
In summary, personal user data, downloaded apps, system settings, and account information are not deleted when wiping the cache partition on an Android device. The cache partition contains temporary files that can be safely cleared to potentially improve performance.
Effects of wiping the cache partition
Wiping the cache partition can often improve your device’s performance and help fix bugs or issues you may be experiencing. Clearing out the cache removes temporary files and data that can build up over time and slow things down. According to UrTech (2015), “It will simply delete the temporary junk. This can resolve MANY problems: Black Screen of Death (BSoD); Slow performance of apps; Lag in the User Interface.” After wiping the cache partition, many users notice apps opening faster and the overall system running more smoothly.
However, one downside is that you may need to re-login to certain apps after wiping the cache. Any data stored locally in the cache will be deleted, so the app will not remember you are already logged in. You may need to re-enter passwords or go through login flows again. But outside of that inconvenience, normal operation of the device typically resumes after rebooting. The cache partition mainly contains temporary files, so wiping it should not affect personal data or settings.
Risks and downsides of wiping the cache partition
Wiping the cache partition comes with very minimal risks. The cache partition contains temporary app data and is designed to be wiped regularly without major consequences. However, there is a small chance that wiping the cache could cause some instability if the cached files have become corrupted (1).
The main downside of wiping the cache partition is that it will reset any customized settings you may have changed in certain apps. For example, your login credentials or preferences may need to be re-entered after a cache wipe. This is merely an inconvenience for the user and not a major risk (2).
Overall, the risks associated with wiping the cache partition on an Android device are very low. It’s considered a safe maintenance task for most users. The only real downside is potentially needing to reconfigure app settings afterwards.
Alternatives to wiping the cache partition
Before resorting to wiping the entire cache partition, which deletes temporary app data and files, there are some less drastic troubleshooting steps you can try:
If you think a particular app is causing problems, you can try disabling or force stopping the app instead of wiping the whole partition. Go to Settings > Apps and notifications and select the problematic app. Tap “Force stop” or disable the app and see if that resolves any issues.
You can also try uninstalling and reinstalling any apps that seem to be malfunctioning. This will clear the app data while preserving the rest of your cache partition. Go to Settings > Apps and notifications, select the app, tap “Uninstall” and then reinstall it from the Play Store.
If multiple apps are problematic or issues persist, the nuclear option is a factory reset. This will wipe your entire phone, including the cache partition, and restore it to factory settings. Make sure to backup data you want to keep before resetting. To factory reset, go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset).
A cache wipe is less drastic than a factory reset, but trying force stopping or reinstalling apps first may fix your problems without deleting your temporary app data and files. Wiping the cache partition should still be used with caution and as a last resort.
Summary
To summarize, wiping the cache partition on Android devices does not delete everything. It only deletes temporary cached files and data that help the phone run more smoothly. Wiping the cache partition removes things like app cache files, temporary system files, browsing history and cookies, and leftover fragments from uninstalled apps. It does not delete any personal user data, photos, downloaded apps, music, documents, messages, call logs, contacts, accounts, or system settings.
Wiping the cache partition remains a safe troubleshooting step for fixing lag, freeing up storage space, or resolving app crashes and bugs. It refreshes the system cache without deleting private user data. Overall, wiping cache is a simple maintenance task that does not remove user content from the device. It only cleans out unnecessary temporary cached files.
