Your Fairphone 5, like any Android phone, builds up temporary cached data from apps and the system over time. This cache helps apps load faster, but when it gets too large or corrupted, it can cause apps to misbehave, crash, or slow down your phone. Clearing it out is a safe and effective way to reclaim storage and fix performance hiccups without losing your personal data.
Clear an Individual App's Cache
Start by opening Settings and tapping on Apps. You'll see a list of all your installed applications. Tap on the app that's been acting up, like your web browser or a social media app. On the app's info page, tap Storage & cache.
Here, you'll see two buttons: Clear storage and Clear cache. Always tap Clear cache first. This deletes the temporary files the app has stored, like images and web pages, but leaves your login information and saved data completely intact. It's a great first step for fixing a glitchy app.
I'd focus on apps that tend to accumulate the most cache, such as Chrome, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, and any games you play regularly. You can do this for any app without risk.
Use the System-Wide Cache Cleaner
Android has a handy feature to clear cached data for every app at once. On your Fairphone 5, go to Settings > Storage. Look at the breakdown of your storage usage near the bottom of the screen.
You should see an entry labeled Cached data. Tap on it, and a confirmation prompt will appear asking if you want to clear cached data for all apps. Tap OK. This process takes just a moment and can free up a surprising amount of space instantly.
Clear Your Web Browser Cache
If you use Chrome, its cache can become particularly large. Open the Chrome app and tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right. Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data.
On the next screen, make sure Cached images and files is checked. You can select a time range, but "All time" is most thorough. Leave "Cookies and site data" unchecked if you want to stay logged into your websites. Tap Clear data to finish.
Wipe the System Cache Partition
This is a deeper clean that targets system-level cache, which can help with general lag or odd behavior, especially after a software update. First, power your Fairphone 5 completely off.
Now, press and hold the Power button and the Volume Down button together. When you see the Fairphone logo, release both buttons. You'll boot into a menu called Recovery Mode. Use the volume buttons to scroll to the option that says Wipe cache partition and press the Power button to select it.
Confirm the action on the next screen. Once it's done, select Reboot system now. This process doesn't touch your photos, messages, or apps, it only cleans temporary system files.
Manage Storage with Files by Google
For a more automated cleanup, consider installing Files by Google from the Play Store. It's a fantastic, free tool made by Google. Once installed, open the app and tap the Clean button on the bottom left.
The app will scan your phone and show you categories like junk files, large files, duplicate files, and unused apps. You can review its suggestions and safely delete what you don't need with just a few taps. It's one of the best ways to keep your Fairphone's storage in check.
Clear Out Old Messages and Downloads
Don't forget about your messages and downloads folder. Group texts with lots of photos and videos can silently eat gigabytes of space. Open your Messages app and review old conversations, deleting any that are filled with media you don't need.
Next, open your file manager app or go to Settings > Storage > Other apps > Files to access your Downloads folder. Sort files by size and delete any old documents, APK files, or media you've already saved elsewhere.
Perform a Simple Restart
Sometimes, the quickest fix is the best one. A restart clears your phone's working memory (RAM) and flushes minor system caches. Just press and hold the Power button until the menu appears, then tap Restart.
Making a habit of restarting your Fairphone 5 once a week can help prevent small software glitches from building up and affecting performance. It's a good general maintenance practice for any phone.
Check What's Using Your Space
For a big-picture view, go to Settings > Storage. Your Fairphone 5 will show you a detailed breakdown of exactly what's filling your storage: Apps, Images, Videos, Audio, and more. Tap into each category to see the largest items.
This is a great way to identify a single app that's grown too large or find forgotten video files. You can then take action directly from this menu to delete items or manage the app's storage. Since the Fairphone 5 promises long-term software support, keeping its storage clean helps ensure it runs well for years to come.
