How to Clear Cache on macOS
Dany updated on Feb 12, 2025 to Mac Cleanup Solution | How-to Articles
Dany updated on Feb 12, 2025 to Mac Cleanup Solution | How-to Articles
If you want to clear your cache on your Mac to free up more space or make your Mac run faster, this article can help you learn detailed tutorials. Keep reading to find more detailed information about how to clear cache on macOS.
Caching is a computing technique used to store temporary data at every level of your Mac, from the CPU's hardware caches to your web browser cache.
Most of the time, macOS caches work perfectly without any help, but there are a few situations where it's a good idea to clear them.
Clearing caches can free up space, fix glitchy apps, and repair broken macOS features, but you must be careful when clearing them.
I've been working with Macs personally and professionally for over 20 years, and while they've worked well most of the time, I've had more than my share of strange issues. As a result, I've spent a lot of time learning to troubleshoot Macs effectively.
So hopefully, this post will save you from having to figure everything out for yourself.
Several types of caching are used throughout macOS, but you should be familiar with three main types. system caches, application caches, and browser caches.
The short answer is yes, it is safe to clear the cache on a Mac - as long as you're careful. There is a lot of conflicting information out there about clearing your caches on a Mac, but each cache type has its own set of 'best practices.' You don't need to clear your caches regularly unless you're experiencing an issue, but it's a valuable tool for troubleshooting.
Browser caches only contain web browsing data, so it is always safe to clear them.
Application caches are usually safe to clear, but you should ensure the application is closed before you try to clear it, or you may run into new, unexpected issues.
System caches are safe to clear using Safe Mode, but you should be very cautious if you choose to clear these caches manually. Accidentally deleting the wrong system files could break macOS in unexpected ways or even prevent it from functioning correctly, possibly requiring you to reinstall macOS to fix it.
The benefits you get from clearing the cache on your Mac -- and the potential risks -- depend on the type of cache you want to clear. I'll cover each type individually, but there is one precaution you should always take. make regular backups of all your important data!
Clearing your browser cache can free up a large amount of disk space, help maintain your personal privacy, and ensure that you view the most recent version of any website you visit. Depending on your browsing habits, you may be able to free up several gigabytes of space by clearing your browser cache.
You may notice that some websites load a bit more slowly the next time you visit them, but it probably won't be noticeable if you have a fast broadband connection.
Clearing an application cache will force the app to rebuild its cache from scratch the next time it runs, as though it was just installed for the first time. In some cases, this can 'reset' a glitchy app that isn't working correctly. It's a relatively common fix, especially if you use third-party software that isn't as polished as the apps in the App Store.
Some apps cache a large amount of data, so you may regain some free space, but the app might just recreate any missing data the next time you load it. Rebuilding the cache may cause the app to load more slowly during its next launch, but you probably won't notice much delay on a modern Mac.
Clearing your system caches is a more drastic step and only necessary when you're experiencing an issue with macOS. However, it can be the only way to restore your Mac to full functionality in these situations.
Clearing your system caches using the Safe Boot method described below has no risks and is always safe. However, if you choose to clear your system caches manually, you should make a Time Machine backup first so you can restore your Mac if something goes wrong.
In most cases, macOS will just rebuild the system caches the next time you reboot. This will repair a corrupted cache, but it also means you probably won't get much of a free space boost.
If you're uncomfortable tinkering with the inner workings of your Mac, a cleaning app like CleanMyMac can make it easier to clear your caches. With a simple, user-friendly interface, CleanMyMac already knows which cache files are safe to remove and which aren't.
Rather than manually identifying and selecting each cache file, CleanMyMac scans your Mac for application and system caches and automatically creates a list for you to review. It even includes details on the total amount of free space you can regain. You may not want to delete every cache file it identifies, but it's much simpler than scrolling your way through hundreds of confusing cache folders by hand.
CleanMyMac refers to application caches as 'user caches'
It's particularly helpful if you use multiple web browsers, as you can clean all your browsing caches in a single location. Just make sure that you don't accidentally clear your autofill data and saved passwords unless you need to!
If you're not sure that CleanMyMac is the right app for managing your caches, I've prepared a list of the best Mac cleaner apps that are worth a look.
There are two ways to clear system caches on a Mac. you can boot your Mac into Safe Mode or delete the files directly. Safe Mode is the only officially supported method for clearing system caches, so we'll start with that, although the exact steps vary depending on the type of Mac you have.
Step 1. Shut your Mac down completely.
Step 2. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and start your Mac. It will boot into Safe Mode and clear your system caches safely.
Step 1. Shut your Mac down completely.
Step 2. Press and hold the power button until your Mac boots and displays the message "Loading startup options."
Step 3. Select your startup volume, then hold down the Shift key and click 'Continue in Safe Mode.' Your Mac will restart immediately in Safe Mode and clear your system caches safely.
I strongly advise against using this method unless you know exactly what you're doing and why. If you insist on using it, you should create a Time Machine backup BEFORE you start deleting any system files so you can restore your Mac in case something goes wrong.
Step 1. In Finder, open the Go menu and click "Go to Folder."
Step 2. In the popup window, enter ~/Library/Caches/ and press Return to open the macOS cache folder.
Step 3. Locate the system cache folder you wish to clear, open it, and drag the contents into the Trash. Do not delete the top-level cache folders.
A few rare apps include methods for clearing their own caches, but in most cases, you'll have to clear the cache by hand if you're experiencing an issue. Here's how to do it.
Step 1. In Finder, open the Go menu and click "Go to Folder."
Step 2. In the popup window, enter ~/Library/Caches to open the macOS cache folder.
Step 3. Locate the cache folder for your misbehaving app and double-click to open it.
Step 4. Drag all the files inside the app cache folder into the Trash, then empty the Trash to delete them permanently.
Clearing your browser cache is much simpler and has no risks. The instructions vary slightly depending on which browser you use, so I've included instructions for the top two browsers used in macOS.
Apple seems to prefer that most users don't tinker with settings, so they've hidden the option for clearing your Safari cache. Here's how to enable and use it.
Step 1. Open the Safari app menu and click "Settings" or use the keyboard shortcut Command + , (for clarity, that's a comma).
Step 2. Switch to the Advanced tab and check the box labeled 'Show features for developers' at the bottom of the window. New options will appear in the Settings panel, and a new 'Develop' menu will appear in the Safari menu bar.
Step 3. Open the new Develop menu and click "Empty Caches." You can also use the keyboard shortcut Command + Option + E.
In Chrome, the method for clearing your browser cache is also used to delete sign-in cookies, saved autofill data, and saved passwords, so make sure you only clear your cached files!
Step 1. Open the Chrome app menu and click "Delete Browsing Data." You can also use the keyboard shortcut Command + Shift + Delete. Chrome will open a new popup window with several options.
Step 2. To delete only your browser cache, uncheck "Browsing history" and "Cookies and other site data," but ensure that "Cached images and files" is checked.
Step 3. Open the Time range dropdown menu, select the "All time" option, then click the "Delete data" button.
No, Macs do not automatically clear their caches. You must manually clear your Mac's caches or use a third-party app like CleanMyMac to handle the process automatically to regain some free space or troubleshoot an issue.
The answer depends on the type of cache you are trying to clear, but most apps don't provide any information about their caches. When using a cleaning app like CleanMyMac to clear your cache, you'll receive a report with details on the specific caches that were cleared.
Cache files are a necessary part of using a modern Mac, so in most cases, any cache you delete will automatically be rebuilt by macOS. You may regain some free disk space, but you may also be logged out of apps, have to re-download online content, and wait a little longer the next time you open an app while the cache is rebuilt.
In most situations, it's best to leave your cache files alone unless you're experiencing an issue. Many members of the Apple support forums recommend never touching your cache files at all, but I think that's impractical advice for anyone who is serious about using a Mac.
Apple wants its users to focus on what they can do with macOS and not on how it works in the background, but they can't predict every situation or prevent every issue, so it's always a good idea to have some of your own troubleshooting skills.
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