Can't clear cache A14 5G

[tritiumsights]

I get notices from Verizon that there are too many temp files on my phone. Verizon supplies a list of apps with too many temp files and advises me to clear their cache.

However, some apps will not allow their cache to be cleared. These include Google, Chrome, Verizon Services and others. I tap the "clear cache" icon at bottom of screen and the cache appears to reset to zero but if I go back and look, the cache is still there.

Anybody have any idea what's going on here?

[vzw_customer_support]

I know how frustrating it can be to manage storage on my device sometimes, tritiumsights. I am here to help. There may be some applications where the cache might be cleared, but if those services are still running, the cache would fill back up. Something like Verizon Services would likely always be running in the background. For applications like Google Chrome, you can also try clearing the cache from the application itself with these steps: https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/32050?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid

Let me know if this helps.

-Joseph

[tritiumsights]

Thank you for response. However, I've already visited that URL and it was no help.

That's because it states the following action must be taken:  tap the three dots at top of screen, on right side, and select "clear browsing history". If I tap the three dots the only choice given is "uninstall updates". There are no other choices. Furthermore, I do not use Chrome for browsing - I use Firefox. I don't know why Chrome and Google have the major part of cache storage on my device (A14 5G).

I think it is possible that this is simply an aspect of this particular device, i.e., no user access is allowed for some apps. The A14 5G is, after all, at the low end of Samsung's phone choices.

On the other hand, since I never use these apps, I do not install updates for them from the Play Store. Perhaps this has something to do with it.

Thanks again. If you have any further thoughts please let me know.

[SynthpopAddict]

If you do not use Chrome, or other Google apps which came preinstalled, uninstall them if possible or at least disable them.  Keep the Google Play store however.  The A14 doesn't have all that much storage space, so it's possible the phone is just filled up with whatever other apps and data you've put onto the phone.  Otherwise, to clear the cache on Chrome, you'd have to open the browser and select "clear browsing history", then go to the more options thing and pick "all time", then clear the data.  Clear the browser cache on Firefox if you don't regularly do so (or set it so it automatically clears the cache when the browser is closed).

[tritiumsights]

SynthpopAddict -

Thank you for knowledgeable advice.

No Google apps can be uninstalled. I will disable Chrome and see if that causes any problems.

I am hesitant about disabling Google as that may negatively impact my Gmail account. What do you think about that?

Other apps take up very little storage space compared to Google and Chrome. They are no problem.

Firefox does automatically clear cache and cookies when closed - thank you.

If you would be so kind, I will list other Google apps below - advise if you think any may safely be disabled.

Google Play Services (never use it)

Google Wallet (never use it)

Google Wi-Fi Provisioner (?)

Google Meet (never use it)

Google Photos (never use it)

Google Drive (never use it)

Appreciate your taking the time to address my issue.  Look forward to your reply.

- tritiumsights

[SynthpopAddict · Accepted solution]

Keep Google, Google Play Services, as well as Google Wi-Fi Provisioner on.

Google Drive I don't think you can delete or disable because it's tied to your Google Account/Gmail and may break the functionality of your email if you shut it off/delete it.

To disable an app, swipe down on the Home screen, then tap the gear near the top right to go to Settings.  In Settings, scroll down until you find Apps, then tap on Apps.  Scroll down until you find whatever you want to disable, then tap the app and tap Disable.

You can uninstall Google Meet and Google Photos if you're never going to use them by opening the Google Play app, then tap your profile icon at the top right.  In your profile, tap Manage Apps and Devices, then Manage.  Pick the app you want to uninstall, then tap Uninstall. If you don't use Chrome as your browser, would recommend uninstalling it either through this process or through the Apps process if it shows up in Apps (some apps have an uninstall option when you go to them in Apps, others only have a disable option).  Chrome had some pretty significant security breaches last month which is why Google put out so many emergency updates to it in May.

Google Wallet can be uninstalled in one of these ways probably, but it's one of those apps that lets you tap your phone on automated payment kiosks to insta-pay, and lets you board public transportation without having to reveal your actual bank account number.  With all the credit card skimmers out there, not a bad app to have.

[tritiumsights]

SynthpopAddict,

Can't thank you enough.  This has been far more helpful than Verizon reps.

My regards,

tritiumsights

[vzw_customer_support]

tritumsights, thank you so much for trying. Let's give this option a try. Please keep us posted.

https://www.verizon.com/support/knowledge-base-303612/

-Natasha

[tritiumsights]

No go.

Instructions at URL state:  "If system apps aren't visible tap the FILTER AND SORT icon."

There is no Filter And Sort icon on the phone. All apps are visible in SETTINGS mode.

Google cache will not clear using CLEAR CACHE icon at bottom right of screen.

Maybe Verizon should check with Samsung. Or Google.

Have a nice day.

[SynthpopAddict]

@tritiumsights, my A14 is (former) carrier unlocked and not a Verizon model, so my screens look a little different than what you're getting.  Google and Chrome take up the largest amount of cache space on many phones.  The thing with the cache not clearing on Google is because with some apps, if they're running, they'll automatically regenerate files for the cache.  Which I'm sure is happening with Google because it's not just the search engine feature, it's also covering things like the Google Play store running stuff such as Play Protect (checks for malicious apps) in the background and also letting you access your Gmail on the phone.

If you are continuing to get things about your phone being overly full from Verizon, have you opened the Samsung Device Care app to see how much available space you have left on the phone?  There's only 64 gigs total which isn't much.  Also, if you don't update your phone much, check for software updates and Google Play Store updates to your apps and then power cycle the phone after updating.

[SynthpopAddict]

---

@tritiumsights wrote:

No go.

Instructions at URL state:  "If system apps aren't visible tap the FILTER AND SORT icon."

There is no Filter And Sort icon on the phone.

---

Out of curiosity, I followed the link given by CS and it sort of works for me (again I don't have a Verizon model A14, so maybe that's part of the problem).  But the Filter and Sort icon is under the Apps when you go into your settings by tapping on either Settings in the display screen that shows your apps, or by swiping down on the Home screen then tapping on the gear at the top right.  I have it marked with the black arrow in this screenshot:

However, sliding the "show system apps" to on doesn't give me a Storage option either.  There is a Storage option if you scroll all the way down to the "Looking for something else" popup, which does open the internal storage and allow you to delete old, unused files.

I have Android 14, One UI 6.1 on my phone.

[tritiumsights]

SynthpopAddict,

Thanks again.

Unfortunately, your advice regarding Filter And Sort is a NO GO on my phone. I also have Android 14, One UI 6.1. Total storage usage is 45% of 64 gigs.

Your advice regarding "Looking for Something Else" is useful but all it allows me to do is uninstall files or apps which have not been used for 30 days. I cannot do this as these are things I want to keep in case they are needed, such as a highway congestion app from AAA or audio music files.

I think your statement regarding Google is probably correct. It is always running in the background so cache is off limits for the user.

My phone was purchased from Verizon and it is locked in. I think it is likely that these phones were modified by Verizon as a result of an agreement with Google. Who knows what the lawyers are doing in the back rooms.

I got the A14 because I do not need a fancy, sophisticated device. A phone is, after all, about talking to other people. The A14 does this very well.

Regards.

[tritiumsights]

Whoever it was at Verizon that sent me an email stating:  "Did you get the answer you needed?"

The answer is no.

I don't know why the message wasn't posted here.

The message was sent at 0639 hours today, June 15. I cannot reply to email messages from your email address. Any reply will be returned to me unopened.

[SynthpopAddict]

That "did you get an answer" is from a bot which won't accept incoming emails.  Same thing goes for the email notifications you get if someone replies to a thread you're participating in.  I think it's set up to try to get people to mark a post as a solution if their question got answered so a thread can be closed.

[tritiumsights]

Thanks for the tip, bro.

I didn't know about that.

Just want you to know I checked out every option you offered. Although I finally got "Filter and Sort" to show up, it has no option for clearing cache.

These phones were definitely modified by Verizon. I also found out, by accident, that Google apps update automatically, without my choice. I uninstalled Google Meet and my messaging app stopped working. Sure enough, Google reinstalled Meet without me doing anything.

There are also dozens of Google system apps that only show up if the "Filter and Sort" function is activated. Their cache cannot be cleared.

There was an old Country & Western song where the tag line was "I owe my soul to the company store".

Guess who replaced the company store.

[SynthpopAddict]

You're welcome 🙂

My phone is not a Verizon version, but I also do not have a "clear cache" option when I use the filter and sort thing.  As for the Google stuff, if you have the settings enabled to display every kind of files/apps, the ones which usually don't show are equivalent to system files in Windows or Mac OS on computers.  You don't want to mess with them as it will corrupt the operating system and break the device.  So I'm not sure why Verizon is still telling you there are a bunch of temp files on your phone if you've cleared out your browser cache, uninstalled things you don't use, etc.

Carrier phones are modified as compared to OEM unlocked versions, but the difference is the carrier version has extra software to run carrier-specific things.  With Verizon, this includes but is not limited to things like My Verizon, Digital Secure, Verizon's Call Filter, Verizon Up, Travel Pass/other international services and video calling.  If you have Verizon App Manager, it also sadly installs 3rd party games and other stuff whenever Verizon issues a software update.

The Google Meet putting itself back I'm guessing is because you have Google Messages using something requiring the Meet functionality.  I have Meet disabled but not uninstalled on my A14 and it hasn't messed up Google Messages for me, but I also do simple SMS texts for the most part, nothing complex.