What clearing your cache does and why you might need to
Your Mac stores temporary files called cache to make programs and websites load faster the next time you use them. Over time, this cache can grow large, take up disk space, or cause a program to behave strangely if the stored files become corrupted. Clearing cache means deleting these temporary files so your Mac starts fresh.
You will not lose any of your actual work, photos, documents, or passwords by clearing cache. You are only removing files that your Mac and your programs created automatically to speed things up. The next time you use a program or visit a website, your Mac will rebuild the cache from scratch.
Most people clear cache when a program is running slowly, when a website looks broken, or when they want to free up storage space. You can clear cache for one program, one website, or your entire Mac at once.
Key Takeaways
- Clearing cache removes temporary files your Mac created automatically and will not delete your documents, photos, or saved passwords.
- Safari cache clears through Safari settings in about 30 seconds, while system cache requires opening Finder and navigating to a hidden folder.
- Most people only need to clear Safari cache or a single program's cache, not their entire system cache.
- After clearing cache, websites and programs may load slightly slower the first time you use them while your Mac rebuilds the temporary files.
Clear Safari cache on your Mac
Safari is the built-in web browser on Mac, and clearing its cache is the fastest method. Open Safari, then click Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen. A dropdown menu will appear.
Click Clear History in that menu. A window will pop up asking what time period you want to clear. At the top, you will see a dropdown that says "the last hour" or similar. Click that dropdown and select All History to clear everything, or choose a specific time period if you only want to remove recent cache.
Below that dropdown, make sure the checkbox next to Cookies and website data is checked. This removes the cache Safari stored. Then click the blue Clear History button. Safari will clear the cache in a few seconds and the window will close.
Clear cache for Chrome, Firefox, or other browsers
If you use Google Chrome, click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the browser window. Hover over More tools, then click Clear browsing data. A window will open. At the top, make sure the dropdown says All time. Check the box next to Cached images and files, then click the blue Clear data button.
For Firefox, click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Click Settings, then click Privacy & Security on the left side. Under the "Cookies and Site Data" section, click Clear Data. Make sure Cached Web Content is checked, then click Clear.
For other browsers, the process is similar: look for a Settings or Preferences menu, find the option for browsing data or cache, and select the option to clear it. The exact wording and location varies by browser, but the principle is the same.
Clear cache for a specific program on your Mac
If one program is running slowly, you can clear just that program's cache without touching anything else. Open Finder and click Go in the menu bar at the top. Click Go to Folder. A text box will appear.
Type this exactly: ~/Library/Caches and press Enter. A folder will open showing all the cache folders for your programs. Look for a folder with the program's name in it. For example, if Spotify is slow, look for a folder named "Spotify" or containing "Spotify".
Click the folder to select it, then press Command and Delete at the same time to move it to the Trash. The program will recreate this folder the next time it runs. Then empty your Trash by right-clicking the Trash icon in the Dock and selecting Empty Trash.
Clear your Mac's system cache
System cache is different from browser cache or program cache. It is temporary files your Mac's operating system created. Clearing system cache is less common and usually only necessary if your Mac is running very slowly or you are running out of storage space.
Open Finder and click Go in the menu bar. Click Go to Folder. Type ~/Library/Caches and press Enter. This folder contains cache for many programs. You can delete entire folders here if you recognize the program name and no longer use it, or if you want to clear cache for a program that is running slowly.
Do not delete folders with names you do not recognize. If you are unsure whether a folder is safe to delete, leave it alone. You can also clear system cache by restarting your Mac, which clears some temporary files automatically, though not all.
What to do if clearing cache does not fix the problem
If a program is still running slowly after you clear its cache, the problem is likely something else. Restart the program completely by closing it and opening it again. If that does not help, restart your Mac by clicking the Apple menu in the top left, clicking Restart, and waiting for your Mac to turn back on.
If a website still looks broken after clearing Safari cache, try opening the website in a different browser like Chrome or Firefox. This tells you whether the problem is with Safari or with the website itself. If the website works in another browser, the issue is Safari-specific and you may need to update Safari or check Safari's settings.
If your Mac is still running slowly after clearing cache, the problem may be a full hard drive, too many programs running at once, or a hardware issue. Check how much storage space you have left by clicking the Apple menu, clicking About This Mac, and clicking the Storage tab.
How often you should clear cache
Most people do not need to clear cache on a regular schedule. Clear it only when you notice a problem, like a program running slowly or a website looking broken, or when you need to free up storage space.
If you clear cache very frequently, you may notice websites and programs load slightly slower because your Mac has to rebuild the cache from scratch each time. This is normal and temporary. The cache will rebuild within a few minutes of normal use.
Some people clear their browser cache once a month or once every few months as routine maintenance. This is optional and not necessary for most users. The only time clearing cache is urgent is if your Mac is almost out of storage space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my passwords or saved information?
No. Cache is temporary files only. Your saved passwords, bookmarks, and browsing history are stored separately. If you want to keep your passwords and history but clear cache, make sure the checkbox next to "Cookies and website data" or "Cached images and files" is checked, but other options like "Browsing history" or "Passwords" are unchecked.
Can I clear cache without restarting my Mac?
Yes. You do not need to restart your Mac to clear cache. You can clear cache while your Mac is running and programs are open. However, if a program is currently running, close it first before clearing its cache, then open it again so it rebuilds the cache correctly.
What does it mean if I cannot find the Caches folder?
The Caches folder is hidden by default on Mac. When you use "Go to Folder" and type the path, Mac will find it even though you cannot normally see it. If the folder does not appear, make sure you typed the path exactly as shown, including the tilde (~) at the beginning and the forward slashes.
Is it safe to delete everything in the Caches folder?
It is generally safe, but not necessary. You can delete the entire Caches folder if you want, and your Mac will recreate it. However, it is safer to delete only folders for programs you recognize or no longer use. If you delete cache for a program that is currently running, close the program first, delete the cache, then restart the program.
How much storage space will clearing cache free up?
This varies widely depending on how much cache has built up. Browser cache is usually between 100 megabytes and a few gigabytes. System cache can be larger. If your Mac is running low on storage, clearing cache may free up enough space to help, but if you are nearly out of space, you may need to delete larger files like old videos or unused programs.