All mobile phones store what is known as cache memory , which offers us many possibilities and advantages. Possibly you had not considered its purpose until now, but the truth is that without this resource, the use of the mobile will be much more complex and slow. We should not confuse it with the rest of the known memories, such as RAM or internal memory.
This well-known memory is not about a physical element that we can touch, but rather it is a part of the essential software for the development of all the activities that we carry out. It coexists within the internal memory, although it also has its temporal relationship with the RAM memory of smartphones with the same purpose, to streamline processes.
What is cache and what is it for
Cache memory is recognized in computing as a fast access memory that provides us with previously stored data in less time. As we have mentioned, it is part of the main memory and in smartphones it grows according to the needs of each user. This temporary memory coexists with us from the first moment we turn on the mobile to store our accounts, preferences and changes in the terminal.
Without the existence of the cache, the memory of the phone would be reduced to RAM and we would have to log in daily to our preferred services or we would even have to choose the favorite language of the system. In smartphones the cache is divided into system and applications , creating two different partitions. In addition, the cache is divided into each app and section of the system so that we can delete it if necessary.
Thanks to this accumulated memory in the smartphone, the phone does not have to redo processes that it already knows and in this way we save resources, time and even energy in the terminal. Once deleted, you will have to “learn” from us again and although it is not an AI, its resources will improve our user experience.
How much space does the cache occupy on the mobile
When in doubt about how much space the cache memory can occupy on our mobile, the answer is not simple. In practically no operating system and not in Android, we are shown any information about the entire cache memory of the terminal. Bearing in mind that this memory is divided into several sections, we will be able to test ourselves in each of the applications but we cannot know it completely.
Another way to see the cache of the terminal, will be entering Settings> Storage, where we will see the count of files, system, applications and among all this, the cache memory that facilitates the processes on the mobile is gradually added.
But unfortunately, there is no way to know how much space is actually occupied by the elements of the system and the cache that has been generated over time.
Can I clear the cache?
There is no problem in clearing the cache memory of the smartphone, although this entails losing preferences and modifications. It will cause the system and / or applications to be used again as if the smartphone were new, although we will not have any problem with the files that we have saved, anyway, especially when clearing the system cache it is recommended to protect the important elements from possible data loss.
The solution to mobile problems on various occasions
The option offered by mobile phones to get rid of the cache in applications and also in the system is a common resource to solve problems. This allows us in a way to return the smartphone to its original state and thus avoid problems due to preferences, configuration or derivatives.
Steps to clear the cache on mobiles
The varieties of cache memory that we find in mobile phones allow us to have at our disposal different processes to erase this quick memory in the mobile phone. We show you the steps to follow to delete each section of the cache:
Clear application cache
- First we enter the Settings.
- We go to the Applications section.
- Now we enter in which we want to clear the cache.
- We touch on Storage and cache.
- And then click on clear cache.
Clear the system cache
Not in all Android smartphones we find the same options to clear the cache of applications and services separately from the system. Currently the OnePlus, OPPO and Realme smartphones do offer us to perform the well-known Wipe cache that consists of the following steps:
- We turn off the mobile.
- Then we hold down the volume down and power buttons.
- Click on Wipe data and cache.
- Next we click on Wipe cache.
- Finally in Yes.
- To finish we choose reboot and the smartphone will turn on again.
In other cases, we are forced to do a hard reset that, in addition to clearing the system cache and all applications, will erase all system elements.
Differences between clearing data and cache
In the process that we have carried out to clear the cache of the applications, we also come across the option to erase data, which can raise doubts. The truth is that both contents go hand in hand, since by erasing the data we are also erasing the cache or at least part of it.
The cache is therefore a more specific part that the application or the system needs for its operation, while the data that is stored collects in addition to this, other aspects such as history, images or even videos . Therefore, we must be even more careful when deleting the data of the applications or system if we do not want to lose something necessary.
Is it good to clear the cache continuously?
Verifying that the option to clear the cache is a solution to the problems and allows us to free up space, we can think that then deleting the cache continuously will be our solution. However, we find that it is not a recommended practice since eliminating it continuously will force the smartphone and ourselves to repeat processes that should be automatic.
In addition, we will be making the smartphone have to demand more and more every day from the processor and even more energy from the battery to calculate processes that it should already have stored. As much as we delete the cache memory of the mobile, it will not be the solution we are constantly looking for, it is an alternative solution that can occur in certain cases.