Samsung Galaxy Note 7: How to clear app cache & data, boot in safe mode, perform resets

Samsung is about to release the new #Galaxy Note 7 (#Note7) and we will fully support this device. So, in this post, I will walk you through on how to properly do some procedures you could use to fix problems that may occur while using the phone.

When the Note 5 was released, we started receiving complaints a day after it was made available. We are expecting the same thing with the Note 7. The tutorials I will include in this post are actually basic troubleshooting procedures you can use for app-related, power, firmware issues and minor hardware problems.

On this page…

How to clear app cache and data on Galaxy Note 7
How to boot Galaxy Note 7 in safe mode
How to wipe cache partition on Galaxy Note 7
How to reset Galaxy Note 7

How to clear cache and data of apps on Galaxy Note 7

You can use the procedures below to reset apps you’re having problems with. Applications create their own caches and save data their data in the phone’s internal storage or in microSD card if they’ve been moved there.

App crashes and freezes can easily be fixed by the following by you need to backup your data if you have any as it will be deleted:

From the Home screen, tap Apps icon.
Find and tap Settings, then touch Applications.
Find and touch the app you’re having issues with.
Touch Storage.
Tap Clear cache.
Tap Clear data, then OK.

Some app problems may not be fixed by simply clearing the cache and data especially if the issue is version-specific. So, you need to update the app in order to patch the glitch, bug or whatever it is that causes the trouble and here’s how you do it on the Note 7:

From the Home screen, tap the Apps icon.
Tap Play Store.
Tap the Menu key and then tap My Apps.
Tap Update All to automatically download updates for all apps or tap an app you want updated and touch Update.

If problems remain and you cannot use your phone because of them, then it’s better that you uninstall the app that’s causing them provided it is a third-party or downloaded app. Here’s how you do it…

From the Home screen, tap Apps icon.
Find and tap Settings, then touch Applications.
Find and touch the app you’re having issues with.
Touch Storage.
Tap Uninstall.
Touch Uninstall again.

How to boot Galaxy Note 7 in Safe Mode

Booting your phone in safe mode means you’re putting it in its diagnostic state wherein only pre-installed apps and services are running. The procedure below is very helpful when you’re dealing with problems involving apps that keep crashing or causing the firmware to freeze or even crash. It will tell you immediately whether the app that’s causing the problem belongs to pre-installed ones or third-party and here’s how you boot your Note 7 in safe mode:

Turn your Galaxy Note 7 off.
Press the Power key and hold it past the screen that shows the model name of the device.
When Samsung logo appears, release the Power key and immediately press and hold the Volume down button.
Continue holding the Volume Down button until the device successfully booted up.
Once you see “Safe mode” on the bottom left corner of the display, release the Volume Down button.

While in this state, uninstall or disable apps that are causing the problem but bear in mind you can only do so for third-party apps. To get out of safe mode, just reboot your phone and it should boot up in normal mode.

How to Wipe Cache Partition of your Galaxy Note 7

Firmware issues are often caused by corrupt caches especially every after update installation. Issues like freezing, hanging, random reboots, stuck on logo during boot up and boot loops are among the symptoms of corrupt system cache. These files can be deleted without causing adverse effects on the phone because Android will create new ones. The fact is it is a good practice to delete system cache from time to time.

The thing is, you cannot delete individual cache that’s why you really need to wipe the entire cache partition.

Turn off your Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge.
Press and then hold the Home and Volume UP keys, then press and hold the Power key. NOTE: It doesn’t matter how long you press and hold the Home and Volume Up keys, it won’t affect the phone but by the time you press and hold the Power key, that’s when the phone starts to respond.
When the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge shows on the screen, release the Power key but continue holding the Home and Volume Up keys.
When the Android logo shows, you may release both keys and leave the phone be for about 30 to 60 seconds. NOTE: The “Installing system update” message may show on the screen for several seconds before displaying the Android system recovery menu. This is just the first phase of the entire process.
Using the Volume Down button, highlight the option ‘wipe cache partition’ and press the Power key to select it.
Use the Volume Down button again to highlight ‘yes’ and press the Power key to select.
It may take a few seconds to completely wipe the cache partition so wait a little.
Once completed, the option ‘Reboot system now’ must be highlighted, so press the Power button to restart your phone.
The Note 7 will then boot up normally.

How to reset your Galaxy Note 7

There are two reset procedures you can do on your Galaxy Note 7. As the name implies, both will delete everything in your device and bring it back to its factory default settings. So, that means that you will lose your files, pictures, contacts, messages, personal information, etc. during the process. Therefore, make sure you back them up before doing any of the following.

Resetting Note 7 via Settings menu…

Backup your data and files saved in the phone’s internal storage.
Remove your Google account to deactivate the anti-theft function of the phone.
From the Home screen, tap the Apps icon.
Find and touch Settings.
Go to Cloud and accounts.
Touch Backup and reset.
Tap Factory data reset, then Reset device.
If you have turned on the screen lock, enter your PIN or password.
Touch Continue.
Touch Delete All.

Depending on the amount of data, it may take a few seconds or a minute to complete the reset but once everything got wiped off, the phone will have a noticeable performance improvement.

This next procedure basically does what the other procedure does but it will come very useful if you’re locked out of your device. It will also reformat both the cache and data partitions while leaving the current firmware installed and you need to boot your device in recovery mode to do so.

Backup your data and files saved in the phone’s internal storage.
Remove your Google account to deactivate the anti-theft function of the phone.
Turn off your Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge.
Press and then hold the Home and Volume UP keys, then press and hold the Power key. NOTE: It doesn’t matter how long you press and hold the Home and Volume Up keys, it won’t affect the phone but by the time you press and hold the Power key, that’s when the phone starts to respond.
When the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge shows on the screen, release the Power key but continue holding the Home and Volume Up keys.
When the Android logo shows, you may release both keys and leave the phone be for about 30 to 60 seconds. NOTE: The “Installing system update” message may show on the screen for several seconds before displaying the Android system recovery menu. This is just the first phase of the entire process.
Using the Volume Down button, highlight the option ‘wipe data / factory reset’’ and press the Power key to select it.
Press the Volume Down button a few times to highlight ‘Yes — delete all user data’ and press the Power key to select it.
It may take a few seconds to complete the reset so just wait.
Once completed, the option ‘Reboot system now’ must be highlighted, so press the Power button to restart your phone.
The Note 7 will then boot up normally.

There you have it! These procedures are very important when troubleshooting issues with your device. Learn them so it would be easier to fix issues you may encounter in the future.

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