Since updating to Android 16, Norton Cleaner is much slower and doesn’t clean most hidden caches
Have you verified in Settings that you have Hidden Caches turned on in Quick Clean Settings?
Have you tried the Deep Clean option found when you tap on the three bars at the top left?
Thanks for your prompt response! I’ve tried both, but neither worked.
And the Hidden Cache cleaning was working when you were on Android 15? That is where my Samsung A15 is sitting at the moment.
If you have not already done this, try uninstalling the Cleaner app, restart your phone and then reinstall and test. Maybe something in the OS update muddled something in the app.
Thanks for your prompt response! I’ve tried both, but neither worked.
I’ve also tried deleting and reinstalling Norton Cleaner.
Last week, I stumbled upon another Community discussion of this hidden caches issue, which suggested that other users of Norton Cleaner have had the same problem after updating to Android 16. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find my way back to that discussion. Suggestions, please!
Hello @JamesBaller
~ AI Mode
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While Norton products like Norton Cleaner and Norton 360 are compatible with Android 16, users have reported issues with some functions. Compatibility is confirmed because Norton supports Android 10.x and later, and Android 16 was officially released in June 2025.
Compatibility details
- Android 16 released in 2025: The Android 16 stable version was released on June 10, 2025, and is available for supported Pixel phones and tablets. The official rollout to other manufacturers is happening in the following months.
- Norton supports Android 10 and newer: Norton’s system requirements for its mobile apps, including Norton Cleaner and Norton 360, specify compatibility with Android 10.x or later. This means Android 16 is well within the supported range.
Known issues
Since the release of Android 16, some users have reported issues with Norton Cleaner on the Norton Community forums.
- Limited cache cleaning: On devices running Android 16, some users have experienced that Norton Cleaner is much slower and does not effectively clean most hidden caches.
- Feature restrictions: While the app is compatible, some functions might not work as expected due to changes in how Android 16 handles app permissions and access to system files.
What to do if you have a problem
If you encounter any issues with Norton Cleaner on your Android 16 device, consider the following steps:
- Check for app updates: Go to the Google Play Store and ensure that your Norton Cleaner or Norton 360 app is fully up-to-date. Developers often release patches to address compatibility issues.
- Visit the Norton Community: Search or post about your specific problem on the Norton Community forum, as other users or Norton staff may have a solution.
- Contact Norton Support: If the problem persists, contact Norton’s customer support for direct assistance with troubleshooting.
Based on reports in Norton and Android community forums, Norton Cleaner on Android 16 fails to clear the hidden cache for many frequently used apps and has reduced effectiveness on the system’s overall cache. The inability to clear these caches stems from changes in Android 16’s system architecture, which restricts how third-party apps can access and remove temporary data.
Which hidden caches are affected?
While Norton and other cleaning apps may still be able to clear some application caches, the problem seems most prevalent with frequently used applications, where a significant amount of data is stored. Some examples of affected caches include:
- System caches: Certain system-level caches that Norton Cleaner and similar apps used to clean are no longer accessible.
- Media storage caches: Reports from users indicate issues with caches related to media storage functions, which were modified in Android 16.
- Third-party app caches: Caches for many third-party apps, especially heavily used ones, are not fully or efficiently removed by Norton Cleaner.
What is the cause of the problem?
The issues are not specific to Norton Cleaner but affect many cache-cleaning apps. They are a consequence of fundamental changes in the Android 16 operating system.
- Restricted access: Android 16 includes new security enhancements that further restrict how third-party apps can access system files and temporary data caches.
- System changes: The way Android manages app data and system cache was altered in the update, requiring app developers to modify their cleaning routines to adapt.
What are the possible solutions?
Norton has acknowledged user reports of these issues in its community forums, but a complete solution has not yet been released.
- Manual clearing: For now, users may need to manually clear the cache of individual apps by going to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Storage > Clear Cache.
- Developer updates: Norton will likely need to release an updated version of their app that is specifically designed for the new permissions and system architecture of Android 16.
- Contact support: For ongoing issues, users are advised to reach out to Norton Support for direct assistance.
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Many third-party Android cleaner apps are also experiencing problems with Android 16. Reports from user forums indicate similar issues across different devices and cleaner applications, suggesting the problem is related to changes in the Android 16 operating system itself, rather than a single app.
Common problems reported
- Failed cache clearing: Apps like CCleaner, Clean Hero, Avast Android Cleanup, and AVG’s cleaner have been reported to scan app caches but fail to clear them on devices running Android 16.
- Slow performance: Users report that cleaning processes take an unusually long time and are “very sluggish”.
- System errors: Some cleaner apps display error messages such as “System not supported” or “Undefined error” when attempting to perform cleaning actions.
- Incomplete cleaning: The cleaning process often fails for many individual apps, especially heavily used ones.
The root cause: Android 16 changes
These widespread issues are primarily caused by stricter security measures and architectural changes implemented in Android 16.
- Restricted app access: Android 16 has tightened its security model, further limiting the access third-party apps have to system files and app caches. Previously, cleaners might have used less-than-ideal methods to force cache deletion, but these no longer work.
- Device-specific conflicts: While the core issue is within the Android OS, some problems appear to be compounded by manufacturer-specific versions of the operating system, such as Samsung’s One UI based on Android 16.
Why these issues are happening now
Cleaner apps often rely on accessing system-level data to perform their functions. As Android has become more secure with each new version, this type of access has been increasingly restricted.
- Google’s philosophy: Google’s design philosophy is that apps should manage their own caches, and the Android system is designed to handle temporary files and performance automatically. This makes third-party cleaners redundant and a potential security risk in Google’s view.
- Reduced effectiveness over time: The effectiveness of third-party cleaning apps has been diminishing with each new Android version. Android 16 seems to have delivered a more significant blow, making many of these apps effectively useless for their primary function of cleaning hidden caches.
What to do instead
- Use the built-in cleaner: Your Android device has a built-in cleaner, typically found under Settings > Storage or Settings > Battery and device care on Samsung phones. This is the only tool with the necessary permissions to reliably clear system and app caches.
- Clear cache manually: For individual apps, you can still manually clear the cache by going to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Storage & cache > Clear cache.
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Some developers of cleaner apps are attempting to adapt to Android 16’s restrictions, but the updates have so far had mixed results and have not restored the apps to their previous level of effectiveness. The changes in Android 16 fundamentally alter how third-party apps can access and clean the system and other apps’ data, rendering many traditional cleaning methods ineffective.
Examples of recent adaptation efforts
- CCleaner: Following user complaints about slowdowns and ineffective cleaning on Android 16, CCleaner has released updates. However, users on the CCleaner community forum still report slow performance and hanging, particularly on devices with manufacturer-specific customizations like Samsung’s One UI.
- Other cleaner apps: While major developers like Piriform (CCleaner) and Norton are working on compatibility updates, many smaller, independent cleaner app developers are still catching up with the changes. Some may never be able to fully adapt due to the level of system access they require.
Why full adaptation is unlikely
Google’s approach to app and system data management has consistently aimed to reduce the need for third-party cleaner apps, viewing them as both redundant and a security risk. Key changes in Android 16 that limit cleaner app functionality include:
- Restricted non-SDK interfaces: Android 16 continues to limit access to restricted non-SDK interfaces, which many cleaning apps have historically used to force cache deletion and access system processes.
- Security enhancements: New security protocols in Android 16 further restrict how third-party apps can interact with system data, making the comprehensive, deep cleaning once offered by these apps no longer possible.
New approach to cleaning
Instead of trying to replicate the functionality of obsolete cleaner apps, developers are encouraged to focus on new methods that comply with Android 16’s architecture. This likely involves:
- Cooperating with the system’s own cleaners: Developers might work with the system’s built-in cleanup functions rather than trying to perform their own.
- Educating users: Developers may need to shift to educating users on how to use the built-in Android tools for effective cache management.
For the most reliable cleaning, you should continue using your phone’s native cleaning tool, often found in Settings > Storage or a similar menu.
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Since Android 16 restricts system-wide access, cleaner apps are shifting their focus to user-driven file and app management. Rather than using background processes to clean automatically, they now act as comprehensive management dashboards that require user action to clear clutter.
Managing files
Cleaner apps are evolving into file managers that help users identify and delete unneeded data.
- Smart suggestions: These apps analyze storage and offer “smart suggestions” for what to delete. This might include identifying large files, old downloads, or infrequently used folders.
- Large file detection: Users are presented with a visual breakdown of their largest files, which can include videos, backups, and app files. The user must explicitly select which files to delete.
- Duplicate and similar photos: Many apps, like Files by Google, offer features that identify duplicate or similar photos and suggest which ones to delete. This is helpful for freeing up space without significant data loss.
- Offline file sharing: Some cleaner apps include offline file-sharing capabilities, allowing users to move large files to other devices without using a network.
- Manage all files permission: With user consent, cleaner apps can be granted the
MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGEpermission, which allows them to manage all files on the device. However, this permission requires explicit user action.
Managing apps
Apps are also adapting to require user action for application management tasks.
- Identifying unused apps: Apps will scan for and flag applications that have not been used recently. They then ask the user if they want to uninstall them, a process that must be manually confirmed.
- APK extractor: Some cleaner apps now include features to extract and save the APK file of an installed app.
- Bulk actions: App managers allow users to perform actions like uninstalling or archiving apps in bulk. The user is presented with a list and selects which apps to process.
- Background process management: In Android 16 and later versions, the OS includes a Task Manager that notifies users about background apps. Cleaner apps may leverage this by providing a user-facing tool to view and manually stop or manage these processes, but they can no longer do so automatically.
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The shift from automated to interactive
This new user-centric approach is a direct result of Android’s increasing security and restrictions on background access. Instead of a “set it and forget it” tool, cleaner apps have become a utility for users to take manual control of their device’s storage and app behavior.
Shifting product strategy
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From “cleaner” to “manager”: The product focus is shifting away from being a “cleaner” and toward being a “manager.” Apps are offering comprehensive toolboxes for users to manage files, apps, and battery usage, all within the system’s safe and sanctioned boundaries.
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User education: Some developers are realizing the need to educate users on how to use the built-in Android tools effectively. This helps manage user expectations as system-level cleaning becomes increasingly locked down by Android.
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How to clear the cache on Android phones and tablets here
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So I just got the update to Android 16 last night. I checked the operation of the Norton Cleaner for Hidden Caches. I can see that the results show many, but not all hidden caches are being removed.
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Thanks for sharing this it helps to know that the cleaner app may run slower after the OS update.
It’s good to see people sharing real experiences and solutions on the website
Discussions like this make the website useful for anyone using the cleaner app
norton ved det det er nok fix i næste patch så den køre rigtig der
De arbejder på en hotfix lige nu så glæd jer
Grunden til de tar det som hotfix er at så virker alle 3 punkter igen der er ca 4 andre fejl men de påvirker jo ikke hele programmets scan enskab det er irretations fejl det er alle fejl faktisk ikke andet med andre produckter er det det samme