How to Clear Cache on a Galaxy S24 Ultra

Clearing cache removes temporary files that apps or the system can recreate. It may help when an app displays old content, behaves oddly, or takes up more storage than expected. It is not a routine maintenance requirement, and it usually will not make a phone noticeably faster by itself. Menu names and screens can vary slightly with software version or carrier.

What You’ll Need

• Your Galaxy S24 Ultra, charged enough to stay on during the process.
• For the system cache partition method, a USB cable and a computer or another compatible USB device. Recovery access on some software versions requires the phone to be connected by USB.
• A moment to check which option you intend to use: clearing an app’s cache is different from clearing its data or resetting the phone.

Step-by-Step

1. Choose the cache you want to clear. If one app is the problem, start with that app’s cache. If you want to remove temporary system files, use the cache-partition procedure below. You do not need to do both unless you have a reason.
2. Open the app’s storage settings. For an individual app, open Settings > Apps, select the app, then tap Storage or Storage usage. The exact labels can differ slightly by software version.
3. Clear only the app cache. Tap Clear cache. Check the label before confirming. Do not tap Clear data or Clear storage unless you mean to reset the app: those options can remove local settings, downloaded content, or sign-in information.
4. Repeat only for other affected apps. Android does not provide a standard button that clears every app’s cache at once. Repeat the app steps only where useful; clearing the cache of every app can cause temporary reloads and does not guarantee better performance.
5. Prepare for Recovery mode if clearing the system cache. Save your work and turn the phone off. Connect it to a computer or compatible USB device with a cable. If the phone will not power off normally, use the on-screen power menu where available rather than choosing a reset option.
6. Open Android Recovery. With the phone off and connected, press and hold Volume Up and the Side button together. Release the buttons when the Samsung logo or Recovery screen appears. The timing can vary; if Android starts normally, power off and try again while maintaining the USB connection.
7. Select the cache-partition option. In Recovery, use the volume buttons to move through the menu and the Side button to select. Highlight Wipe cache partition, then confirm the selection if prompted. Recovery is a text menu, so read each item carefully.
8. Restart the phone. When the wipe finishes, highlight Reboot system now and select it. The first startup can take a little longer than usual. The wipe removes temporary system cache files, not your photos, messages, or installed apps.
9. Check the original issue. Open the app or feature that prompted the cleanup. If the problem remains, restart the phone and check for app or system updates; clearing cache cannot fix every software or network issue.

Common Mistakes

• Choosing Clear data instead. Clear cache removes temporary files; Clear data or Clear storage can reset the app and remove locally stored information. Read the button before tapping.
• Confusing cache with personal files. The system cache partition is not the same as the Gallery, Downloads, or browser history. It does not act as a general cleanup tool for those items.
• Selecting factory reset in Recovery. Wipe data/factory reset erases personal data and settings. It is not the cache option. If you see that wording selected, do not confirm it; move to Wipe cache partition.
• Expecting permanent extra storage. Apps rebuild cache as they run. A cache may grow again, which is normal; clearing it is not a lasting way to free large amounts of space.
• Using a third-party cleaner without a need. Cleaner apps may request broad access and can close apps or remove files you meant to keep. The built-in Settings and Recovery options are sufficient for these tasks.

Tips

• Clear an app’s cache when that particular app is misbehaving or showing stale temporary content, rather than clearing caches on a schedule.
• After clearing an app cache, its next launch may be slower while it reloads files. Some content may use mobile data again if it has to be downloaded.
• If you are troubleshooting one app, force-close it and reopen it after clearing its cache. If that does not help, check the app’s own support guidance before clearing its data.
• Use the phone’s Storage view to identify large files and apps. Removing unwanted downloads or uninstalling an app you no longer use is different from clearing cache and may free more space.

Troubleshooting

The phone boots normally instead of opening Recovery

Turn it off completely, connect the USB cable to a computer or compatible device, then hold Volume Up and the Side button until the Recovery screen appears. If the timing is difficult, release only after the Samsung logo appears. Button behavior can vary slightly across software versions.

I cannot find “Clear cache”

Open the app’s page under Settings > Apps and then its storage screen. Some system apps or app versions may show different controls. Do not substitute Clear data if you want to preserve the app’s local information.

The cache option is missing in Recovery

Confirm that you are in Android Recovery, not a normal startup screen. Move through the menu slowly with the volume buttons. If the option is absent, do not choose a similarly named reset option; restart the phone and consult Samsung Support for guidance specific to your software version.

The issue is still there

Restart the phone, install available app and system updates, and check whether the problem affects one app or several. For a single app, its developer may have specific troubleshooting steps. If the phone repeatedly crashes or cannot start, contact Samsung Support before attempting a factory reset.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my photos or messages?

Clearing an app cache or wiping the system cache partition is not intended to erase personal files. Clearing app data and performing a factory reset are different actions and can remove information.

Is wiping the cache partition safe?

Wiping the correctly named cache partition removes temporary system files, not personal data. Take care in Recovery and do not select Wipe data/factory reset.

How often should I clear cache?

There is no required schedule. Clear an individual app’s cache when troubleshooting a specific problem, and use the system cache option only when it is relevant to your issue.

Does clearing cache make the phone faster?

It can help if corrupted or outdated temporary files are contributing to a specific problem, but it is not a general speed boost. Apps may take longer to load briefly while they rebuild cached files.

Can I clear every app’s cache at once?

Recent Android and Samsung software does not provide a standard built-in one-tap option to clear all app caches. Clear the cache of individual apps as needed.

Tips

Keep the two procedures distinct: use Settings for an individual app, and Recovery for the system cache partition. If a screen or label differs from these instructions, pause rather than guessing at a reset control.

Related

• How to Season Collard Greens for Deep, Balanced Flavor
• How to Clean Up Disk Space on Your Computer
• How to Clear Cache on a Galaxy A15

Further reading: Samsung Support. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.