topic Wipe Cache partition gone from Boot into recovery menu in Galaxy S

Wipe Cache partition gone from Boot into recovery menu

Ray1 — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 11:34:07 GMT

It was recently found that Samsung has wiped out this menu on S25s and an article was found stating that it wasn't needed anymore with the way the new S25s were updated.

I also found this had happened on my S25 Ultra but now have found that it wasn't just the S25s that this was done to.

I also have a S24 and a Tab S9 Ultra and see the wipe cache partition and recovery menu are also gone on these older devices🤔🙄

Re: Wipe Cache partition gone from Boot into recovery menu

RedDogRabbit — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:10:30 GMT

Yes, and it's very unfortunate!

Samsung is using a sledge hammer, rather than a delicate touch for "Security"!

Apparently "Download Mode" is also absent on the S26 series...

I find it difficult to believe that this is all in the pursuit of security..

If something goes wrong with an update, you are no longer able to use Odin to Flash the Firmware yourself! 😡

It's bad enough that the Bootloader is locked, but now we are effectively passengers on Samsung's train...

https://www.sammyfans.com/2026/03/11/samsung-galaxy-s26-retires-odin/

Re: Wipe Cache partition gone from Boot into recovery menu

Haisley — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 13:29:30 GMT

Hi Ray1,

Samsung has updated the recovery process on newer devices to optimize performance and streamline updates, which is why the wipe cache partition option is no longer visible. While this change may take some getting used to, rest assured that the new update mechanisms are designed to maintain device stability and efficiency without requiring manual cache wipes.

Re: Wipe Cache partition gone from Boot into recovery menu

RedDogRabbit — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 14:12:34 GMT

Samsung didn't JUST remove the Wipe Cache function, they removed several other very useful functions..

Samsung's Recovery is effectively neutered.

The removal of Download Mode on the S26 series, and presumably that will be removed from devices sold prior to the S26 series eventually, is even more disconcerting..

This isn't about the device owner's security.

Re: Wipe Cache partition gone from Boot into recovery menu

Ray1 — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 14:27:28 GMT

They have already removed all of the choices in the menu from older devices and the menu look exactly the same as the new devices with no choices

Likely too many people were able to solve problems on their own devices instead of having to take them in to get serviced by their haphazard service department and charge you more money🙄

This change likely happens with the recent updates but I never looked on my older devices before updating so am not positive of when it has been changed

Re: Wipe Cache partition gone from Boot into recovery menu

Haisley — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 16:07:33 GMT

Samsung has streamlined the recovery process in recent updates to optimize performance and stability, which is why the recovery menu now appears simplified across multiple devices. While this change may take some adjustment, the new update mechanisms are designed to maintain device health without requiring manual cache wipes.

Re: Re: Wipe Cache partition gone from Boot into recovery menu

RobertZ — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 18:16:50 GMT

What a load of BS.

You moderators constantly post that a resolution to an issue is to wipe the cache partition, and now you say it was removed to improve performance? How can removing the ability to delete corruption improve performance?

Stop being an apologist and instead stand up for your users. This is unacceptable.

Re: Wipe Cache partition gone from Boot into recovery menu

Fatwa — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:19:42 GMT

Zero idea why you guys keep belly aching about this. Your cache is optimized everytime your phone is idle. This beats clearing the entire cache once a month or whatever you were doing earlier.

Re: Wipe Cache partition gone from Boot into recovery menu

RedDogRabbit — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 01:06:04 GMT

I don't think that it's losing the ability to Wipe Cache from Recovery, but there's several other functions that were removed, notably the ability to apply an update via adb.. This effectively prevents us from installing the US Betas on our Canadian devices...

It was just heavy handed and unnecessary to tie our hands even more.

Re: Re: Wipe Cache partition gone from Boot into recovery menu

Fatwa — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 02:21:51 GMT

I take your point, but the post header is literally about cache wipes.

Re: Wipe Cache partition gone from Boot into recovery menu

Ray1 — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 22:14:09 GMT

Zero idea why you think your comment is appropriate on my post - it is known that the newer devices have the cache clearing and as for your "entire cache once a month" I am guessing you learned that from your AI buddy because I have never seen that said anyplace on any site.

My post was about S24s and Tab S9 Ultra and older devices that they wiped out the menu on which I have never seen anything about them receiving the new style of updates that supposably clear the cache for you.

There was absolutely nothing against Samsung posting policy or anything wrong with me posting as I explained quite clearly what I was discussing.

I am able to make a post whatever I see fit without clearing it with you first and was not belly aching but informing members of the change that takes place on older devices when you update them

Re: Re: Re: Wipe Cache partition gone from Boot into recovery menu

Fatwa — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 03:01:42 GMT

This is not BS - Android advanced runtime optimizes cache when your device is idle.

It's dynamic now, so the need manually blow out your cache is redundant.

Re: Re: Wipe Cache partition gone from Boot into recovery menu

Fatwa — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 03:02:49 GMT

It's entirely appropriate - cool your jets there keyboard warrior and learn how ART works.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Wipe Cache partition gone from Boot into recovery menu

RobertZ — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 04:19:28 GMT

"Optimizing" the cache is not the same as erasing the partition.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Wipe Cache partition gone from Boot into recovery menu

Fatwa — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 04:50:13 GMT

And you had to do that previously because your cache was static. Now it's dynamic.

All of that said, I think Samsung should just reinstall a placebo cache wipe in the menu settings so that people actually think they are fixing things when it's likely just a reboot. Less friction that way.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Wipe Cache partition gone from Boot into recovery menu

RedDogRabbit — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 06:59:38 GMT

This is true, but only for the S25 series & newer models. The S24 series and older, don't have the a/b "seamless update".

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Wipe Cache partition gone from Boot into recovery menu

RobertZ — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 09:56:13 GMT

The file system has a separate and faster partition specifically for caching data. If the operating system can find valid data in the cache it will pull it from there rather than from some other slower source such as a data/code partition or remote device.

What exactly is dynamic about what they are now doing with the caching?

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Wipe Cache partition gone from Boot into recovery menu

Fatwa — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 14:23:36 GMT

The A/B update is only a slice. The legacy devices are still running advanced Runtime.

I think it this way:

-In the old schema, your cache was relatively static (for the lack of a better term)
-Cache corruptions would occur
-my guess is 95% of users didn't even know about the system cache wipe feature and/or regularly didn't use it

Fast forward to today and A/B excluded:

-Users install updates and cache is optimized on device idle
-the need for static cache wipes proactively eliminated

= more happy customers and less technical friction on the experience

I was a consistent user of cache wipes and to be honest, I always thought it rediculous the architecture required it. The idea that things break so often that I need a routine to fix them was not something I was cool with.

I guess the proof will be in the pudding over time. If cache wipe is still really needed, there will be hundreds of thousands of users stranded with corrupt devices. You can surely bet that Samsung has detailed reporting on all of this. They don't live in a bubble.

Re: Wipe Cache partition gone from Boot into recovery menu

Lordnosed — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 20:23:53 GMT

Thank you for this post. I use galaxy 20 with a separate AV suite. Update sept/25 changed Settings resulted in inability to clear the cache in the Settings App. Came to this community today looking to find how to save "Notes" to mounted SD card. Device education spotty but built and rescued pc's '97 to '14. Difficult to find info on machine ops for this phone, even file format for the Note logs. Sept/23 first use of a smartphone. Ouch. Thanks for your kindness

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Wipe Cache partition gone from Boot into recovery menu

Haisley — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 19:42:07 GMT

As you’ve noted, Samsung devices now use a dynamic cache system, which means the traditional cache wipe option is no longer necessary in the same way it once was. We recognize that this adjustment can feel unfamiliar, especially for long‑time users who relied on the previous method as part of their troubleshooting routine.

Your suggestion of reintroducing a cache wipe option as a reassurance step is thoughtful, and we appreciate you taking the time to share it. Feedback like this helps us better understand how customers interact with their devices and what features provide peace of mind. We will share your comments with the relevant team for consideration.