Sometimes cached app data can cause issues on Android so today I’m going to show you how to wipe the cache partition on the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge.
Android(and a lot of operating systems) can cache data from commonly used components of the platform. For Android, we see this with a lot of its applications and services that it uses. So, for example, if you load up a game or an application, then it will write some of that data into the cache partition. This way, the S7 or S7 Edge can load the data from that partition instead of having to query the app(and possibly the app’s server) for various bits of information it needs.
This makes things much quicker as a whole, but it can also lead to some issues. I’ve noticed that a lot of people have trouble with getting their Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge to connect to another device via Bluetooth.
A common way of resolving this issue is by going into the details of the Bluetooth Share application/service and then wiping both the cache and the data for it. This cached data can also cause applications and games from opening for various reasons(like corrupt data). And it can also cause some issues with battery life and performance of your Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge. A troubleshooting step to remedy this is to simply wipe the entire cache partition and that’s what I want to show you today.
I do want to note that wiping the cache partition will not lose any of your data. This cached data from apps and services is redundant and your Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge can easily rebuild the data once you boot back up and use the app again.
Galaxy S7 Wipe Cache Partition
- Boot the Galaxy S7 into Recovery Mode
- Press the Volume Down Button Until the ‘Wipe Cache Partition’ Option is Highlighted
- Press the Power Button to Select this Option
- Press the Volume Down Button to Highlight the ‘Yes’ Option
- Then Press the Power Button to Wipe the Cache Partition of the Galaxy S7
- Once Done, Make Sure the ‘Reboot System Now’ Option is Highlighted(it should be by default)
- And Then Press the Power Button to Reboot the Galaxy S7 Back into the Android OS
Explanation
If you aren’t familiar with how to boot the Galaxy S7 into Recovery Mode then please be sure to reference a previous tutorial I wrote about it. It’s essentially just a few buttons that you have to press and hold during the boot process and then you’ll be taken into the stock Android Recovery Mode. From here, you will need to use the Volume Up, Volume Down and the Power buttons to navigate through the menus. This is because the touch screen drivers are loaded during this stock Recovery Mode so you can’t navigate with touch(although custom recoveries like TWRP let you do this).
Simply highlight the Wipe Cache Partition option listed in the main menu of the Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge’s Recovery Mode and then press the Power button to select this option. You’ll then be taken to a confirmation menu where it will ask you if you really want to wipe the cache partition or not. Remember, this will not make you lose any of your data. Things like your installed apps, contacts, bookmarks, settings and more will all still be on your Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge after wiping the cache partition. This cache partition holds redundant data and it will be recreated once you boot back up into the Android OS.
So make sure the Yes option is highlighted at the confirmation screen and then press the Power button to select this option. As you can see in the video, I did exactly that and it didn’t negatively effect my Galaxy S7 at all. You won’t want to wipe the cache partition every day or anything(as this will lead to worse battery life), but it is advised to try this troubleshooting step if you’re having any issues with your Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge.
Experiencing difficulties with your Device, check out our “How To” page on how to resolve some of these issues.
