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Easy•10 min

How to clear cache on Mac

Clearing cache on a Mac can help fix slow websites, strange app behavior, or storage that seems unexpectedly full. This guide shows you how to remove the most common cache files on macOS, including browser cache and user cache files. Cache is temporary data, so deleting it is usually safe, but you may need to sign in again to some websites afterward.

Step-by-step fix

  1. 1

    Close open apps and tabs

    Before you clear cache, close the browser or app you want to clean up. This helps prevent files from being in use while you delete them. If you are clearing browser cache, close extra tabs as well.

  2. 2

    Clear Safari cache

    If you use Safari, open the browser and go to Safari in the menu bar, then choose Settings. Click Advanced and turn on Show features for web developers if needed. Then open the Develop menu and select Empty Caches. If you do not see Develop, enable it first in Safari settings.

  3. 3

    Clear Chrome cache

    In Google Chrome, click the three dots in the top-right corner and choose Delete Browsing Data. Set the time range to All time, then select Cached images and files. Leave other items unchecked if you only want to clear cache, then click Delete data.

  4. 4

    Clear Firefox cache

    In Firefox, click the menu button, then choose Settings or Preferences. Open Privacy & Security, scroll to Cookies and Site Data, and select Clear Data. Make sure Cached Web Content is selected, then confirm by clicking Clear.

  5. 5

    Open the cache folder in Finder

    To clear user cache files, open Finder, then choose Go from the menu bar and select Go to Folder. Type ~/Library/Caches and press Return. This folder contains cache files for apps on your Mac.

  6. 6

    Delete cache files safely

    Inside the Caches folder, open folders one by one and remove files for apps you recognize. You can drag items to the Trash or delete them with Command + Delete. Avoid deleting folders or files you do not recognize if you are unsure what they do. Most apps will recreate needed cache files automatically the next time they open.

  7. 7

    Empty the Trash

    After deleting cache files, right-click the Trash icon in the Dock and choose Empty Trash. This permanently removes the cache files from your Mac and frees up the space they were using.

  8. 8

    Restart your Mac

    Restart your Mac to help apps load fresh data and finish clearing out temporary files. Click the Apple menu and choose Restart. After your Mac starts up again, reopen the app or website to check whether the issue is fixed.

Frequently asked questions

What happens when I clear cache on a Mac?

Clearing cache removes temporary files that apps and websites store to load faster. It can improve performance or fix display problems, but you may need to sign in again or reload website settings.

Is it safe to delete cache files on Mac?

Yes, cache files are generally safe to delete because macOS and your apps can recreate them when needed. If you are unsure, clear browser cache first, since that is the least risky place to start.

Will clearing cache free up space on my Mac?

Yes, clearing cache can free up storage space, especially if the cache has grown large over time. The amount you recover depends on how much temporary data your apps and browsers have saved.

Why does cache come back after I delete it?

Cache comes back because apps and websites create new temporary files as you use them. That is normal and helps things load faster the next time.

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How to Clear Cache on Mac | Quickfix AI