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How to clear the cache on the Nexus 6

AndroidPIT Nexus 6 clean white android
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You know the drill: all devices, even those as speedy and robust as the Nexus 6, can get a little weighed down. Clearing the cache on the Nexus 6 is a breeze; whether you want to clear the system cache or clear the app cache, we'll show you how. Here's how to wipe the cache on the Nexus 6.

AndroidPIT Nexus 6 clean white android
Give your Nexus 6 a fresh start with a clean cache. / © ANDROIDPIT

Which cache should I wipe?

Good question. It depends largely on how big your problems are. If you've got an app that continually crashes then the problem is quite local and an app cache wipe should suffice. If your entire system seems unstable and doesn't seem to be caused by a particular app, then wiping the system cache (aka the cache partition) is the step for you. Clearing the cache is kind of like emptying the temp folder – it clears things up without doing any damage. So even if you pick the ''wrong'' one there's no harm done.

How to clear the app cache on the Nexus 6

Perhaps you know (or just suspect) that one app in particular is causing the problem. Perhaps it's acting weirdly, lagging or crashing. To clear an individual app cache, just go to Settings > Apps and find the app in question (remember it may be in the Downloaded, Running or All tabs). Tap the entry for that app and clear the cache.

AndroidPIT Google Play Store app info
Individual app caches can be wiped one at a time in Settings > Apps. / © ANDROIDPIT

If you want to clear the app cache for all of your apps at once, that equally easy. Just go to Settings > Storage and tap the entry for Cached Data. A text box will pop up to say you are about to clear the cache for all apps. Tap OK to proceed and the cached app data for your whole device will be wiped.

AndroidPIT Moto X 2014 clear all cached app data
Or you can clear all app caches at once in Settings > Storage > Cached Data. / © ANDROIDPIT

How to clear the system cache on the Nexus 6

If you want to clear the system cache instead – the cached data for the Android system itself rather than just the apps that run on it, then you need to go into recovery mode to do so. There are two kinds of recovery more: stock recovery (the one you get if you've never changed it), and custom recovery (usually either TWRP or CWM).

1. Turn off your Nexus 6.

2. Press and hold Volume Down and Power to access the bootloader.

3. Use the volume buttons to highlight Recovery and press Power to confirm.

(The next steps depend on whether you have stock recovery or a custom recovery installed)

AndroidPIT Nexus 6 Fastboot recovery
Highlight Recovery Mode and press Power. / © ANDROIDPIT

If you have stock recovery:

4. If you have stock recovery, you'll see the Android laying on its back. Press Power and then Volume Up to access the stock recovery menu.

5. Use the volume buttons to scroll down and highlight Wipe Cache Partition and press Power to confirm.

6. Reboot your Nexus 6.

android system recovery
In stock recovery, just highlight Wipe Cache Partition and press Power. / © ANDROIDPIT

If you have custom recovery:

4. If you have TWRP installed, after step 3 you'll be taken direct to the TWRP menu. Here you want to tap Wipe in the top right hand corner.

AndroidPIT Nexus 6 TWRP Recovery menu wipe
Tap Wipe in the top right hand corner of TWRP. / © ANDROIDPIT

5. You'll see a screen with two buttons in the middle: Advanced Wipe and Format Data. You want to tap Advanced Wipe.

6. On the next screen, just check the box next to Cache (you can also check Dalvik if you like, although the Nexus 6 runs on ART, not Dalvik).

7. Swipe the blue button at the bottom to the right to clear the cache.

8. Reboot your Nexus 6.

What bugs affect your Nexus 6 the most? How often do you clear your caches?

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Kris Carlon

Kris Carlon
Senior Editor

Kris is a former AndroidPIT Editor who came to the team via a lengthy period spent traveling and relying on technology to keep him in touch with the outside world. He can usually be found juggling three phones at once and poring over G+ posts, Reddit and RSS feeds.

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  • Randy Hoopes 1
    Randy Hoopes Jul 31, 2015 Link to comment

    when I click recovery on my phone it gave me a little android guy with a red icon saying "no command"?


  • Nicole Harris 2
    Nicole Harris Apr 14, 2015 Link to comment

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    • Randy Hoopes 1
      Randy Hoopes Jul 31, 2015 Link to comment

      spammer

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