Do you notice that your Android is running out of space to download new apps or update them? Although the storage that applications reserve to function does not necessarily have to be a problem, it is true that sometimes this cache can slow down the mobile and even cannot be updated. Even without you realizing it: there are applications that are particularly hungry for megabytes.
When you download an app from the Google Play Store, it is downloaded as an installer file with the weight specified in the download tab. Once logged in with your account, the application saves user data to personalize your experience. And it consumes memory in the form of cache, a feature that speeds up the use of the application so that it does not have to continually download data. Is this cache a problem? Depends.
Why reserve more than a gigabyte of space?
Each app installed on the phone, like those pre-installed on the system, takes up one space as installed files, another part as user data, and a third as app cache. User space and cache space complement each other, since both memories are generally temporary, modifiable and generated as the application is used.
When managing excess space consumed by software, you cannot touch the space occupied by the installation, but you can touch user data and cache. Deleting the second has no major consequences: you will temporarily recover part of your storage (at the cost of slower use of the application). With storage taken up by user data, you usually lose account login and all information associated with it.
Applications often use user data as a cache to store temporary, updated content to optimize performance.
In summary:
- If you uninstall the app you eliminate all the space occupied by it
- If you delete the cache you end up with the storage that the app reserved of everything that was downloaded and generated. It is a memory that is used to improve the performance of the phone, you can delete it without much problem.
- If you delete user data, you lose your account and usage records– You will need to log in again. With one exception: pre-installed apps like Google Play, Google Play Services, and other system apps also use user data as cache. Deleting them saves space temporarily.
Keeping the above in mind, simply go to your Android’s settings, enter apps and browse all installed apps (enables display of system applications from the first three menu items) to see which ones are reserving much more space than they should. Some are common, like Google Chrome, but others less so. Today, we’re going to highlight five little-known cache devourers.
Android system intelligence
Android’s intelligent services are grouped around a relatively frequently updated application: Android System Intelligence. Considerable space is usually reserved and you can clear cache and user data without much problem: it’s a temporary solution that can give you a GB of space. Like most system apps, it will eventually reclaim storage.
Google Play Services
It’s a gigantic app that runs in the background, collecting data and providing countless functions on even older Androids. It can’t be deleted from the phone or disabled, but that’s not too much of a problem if you completely delete the data In case you need specific storage: your mobile will continue to work without much problem. Of course, the space will be refilled again: it usually weighs more than 1 GB.
Tic Tac
It is the one that consumes the most on our mobile: from installation files to user data and cache, a total of 2.2 GB. And we don’t watch too many videos either, you can double that space without blinking. So in case you need to delete something, TikTok is a candidate solution: no cache or anything, complete uninstall.
Another of the key services of Android, since it offers essential functions like Assistant, Emergency Services or Quick Share. It is common for it to exceed the GB of occupied space. And you can empty the storage if you need it quickly to update your mobileFor example: Google will recover it little by little without you noticing any malfunctions on your Android.
Speech recognition and synthesis
The so-called TTS or text-to-speech service reserves enough space to make the mobile phone speak as much as humanly possible. You can easily get a GB by deleting everything the app saves. And if at any time you need your cell phone to talk to you, your Android will quickly ask you to download (the assistants use their own speech synthesis).
Limiting cache and user data isn’t always the best idea, especially if you’re constantly using apps, even if you do. solves a specific problem of lack of storage. Playing with the ones that take up the most space can open the door to an update without having to uninstall apps or empty your photo album: it’s a good tip to keep in mind.
Cover image | Modified mid-term
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