What cache is and why you might want to clear it

Cache is temporary data your MacBook Pro stores to make things load faster. When you visit a website, your browser saves images and files so it doesn't have to download them again. Your Mac also caches application data, system files, and temporary documents. Over time, this cache can take up gigabytes of storage space and sometimes cause programs to run slowly or behave oddly.

Clearing cache won't delete your passwords, saved websites, or documents you created. It removes only the temporary copies your Mac made to speed things up. After you clear cache, websites may load slightly slower the first time you visit them, but your Mac will rebuild the cache automatically as you use it.

Most people clear cache when their Mac feels sluggish, when a website or app isn't working right, or when they want to free up storage space. You can clear cache from your browser, from individual applications, or from your entire system.

Key Takeaways

  • Browser cache lives in Safari, Chrome, or Firefox and can be cleared from each app's settings menu in under a minute.
  • System cache and temporary files accumulate in hidden folders that you can access through Finder or remove using the Storage settings.
  • Application cache is stored inside each app's folder and can be cleared by deleting the app's support files without uninstalling the program.
  • Clearing cache frees storage space and can fix slow performance or broken features, but does not affect your saved passwords or documents.

Clear browser cache in Safari

Safari stores cache in its own folder, separate from your system files. Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Select Settings (or Preferences on older macOS versions). Click the Privacy tab.

Click the button labeled Manage Website Data. You will see a list of websites Safari has cached. To remove all of them at once, click Remove All. To remove only specific websites, select them from the list and click Remove. Close the window when you are done.

If you want Safari to clear cache automatically every time you close the browser, go back to the Privacy tab and look for the option that says Remove all website data when quitting Safari. Check that box. This way you do not have to remember to clear cache manually.

Clear browser cache in Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu. Click Privacy and security on the left side. Click Clear browsing data.

A window will pop up. Make sure the time range at the top is set to All time if you want to clear everything, or choose a specific range like Last 7 days. Check the boxes next to Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. Leave other boxes unchecked unless you want to clear your browsing history or passwords too. Click Clear data.

Chrome will clear the cache in a few seconds. You can also set Chrome to clear cache automatically by going to Settings, clicking Privacy and security, and selecting Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome.

Clear browser cache in Firefox

Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Select Settings. Click Privacy & Security on the left. Scroll down to the section called Cookies and Site Data. Click Clear Data.

A box will appear. Make sure both Cookies and Site Data and Cached Web Content are checked. Click Clear. Firefox will remove the cache immediately.

To clear cache automatically when you close Firefox, scroll back up in the Privacy & Security section and find History. Click the dropdown next to Firefox will and select Use custom settings for history. Check the box that says Clear history when Firefox closes. Then click the Settings button next to it and make sure Cache is checked.

Clear system cache and temporary files

Your Mac stores temporary files and system cache in hidden folders that do not show up in Finder by default. The easiest way to clear these is through your Mac's Storage settings. Click the Apple menu in the top left and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click General, then click Storage.

You will see a breakdown of what is taking up space on your drive. Look for a section labeled Recommendations or Optimize Storage. Click Empty Trash Automatically if that option appears — this removes files you deleted more than 30 days ago. Some versions of macOS also show a button to clear cache directly from this screen.

If you want to manually access hidden cache folders, open Finder and press Command + Shift + Period (the period key). This shows hidden files and folders. Navigate to Library in your home folder, then look for folders named Caches, Logs, or Application Support. You can delete files inside these folders, but be careful not to delete anything you are unsure about. Press Command + Shift + Period again to hide these folders when you are done.

Clear cache for individual applications

Some apps store their own cache separately from your browser and system. To clear cache for a specific program, open Finder and press Command + Shift + Period to show hidden files. Navigate to Library in your home folder, then open the Caches folder. Look for a folder with the app's name in it.

You can delete the entire folder or just the files inside it. Deleting the cache folder will not uninstall the app or delete your data — it only removes temporary files. The app will recreate the cache the next time you open it. If you are not sure which folder belongs to your app, you can search for the app's name using Spotlight (press Command + Space and type the app name) to find its location.

Some applications have their own cache-clearing option built into their settings or preferences. Check the app's menu or settings first before manually deleting cache folders. For example, many photo and video editing programs let you clear cache from within the app itself.

What to do if clearing cache does not fix your problem

If your Mac is still slow after clearing cache, the problem may be something else. Check your Activity Monitor to see which programs are using the most memory. Click the Apple menu, select System Settings, click General, then click Storage to see what is taking up the most space on your drive. If your drive is nearly full, your Mac will run slowly no matter how much cache you clear.

If a specific app is crashing or freezing, try restarting your Mac first. If that does not work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app. If a website is not loading correctly even after clearing browser cache, try opening it in a different browser to see if the problem is with your browser or the website itself.

Restart your Mac regularly — at least once a week — to clear temporary memory and keep your system running smoothly. This is often faster and easier than manually clearing cache.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my passwords or saved websites?

No. Cache is only temporary files and images. Your saved passwords, bookmarks, and browsing history stay on your Mac unless you specifically choose to delete them. When you clear cache, you are only removing the temporary copies of web pages and images.

How much storage space will I free up by clearing cache?

It depends on how long it has been since you last cleared cache and how much you use your browser and apps. Clearing browser cache might free up a few hundred megabytes to a few gigabytes. System cache can be larger. Check your Storage settings to see how much space cache is actually taking up before you clear it.

Should I clear cache regularly or only when my Mac is slow?

You can do either. Clearing cache regularly — once a month or once every few months — keeps your Mac running smoothly and prevents cache from building up. If your Mac is already slow, clearing cache is one of the first things to try. Setting your browser to clear cache automatically when you close it is a good middle ground.

Is it safe to delete files in the Library Caches folder?

Yes, it is safe to delete files in the Caches folder. These are temporary files your Mac created and can recreate. Do not delete anything in the Application Support folder unless you are sure what it is, because some apps store important settings there.

Why is my Mac still slow after clearing cache?

Cache is usually not the only reason a Mac slows down. Check your Storage settings to see if your drive is nearly full — a full drive causes slowness. Open Activity Monitor to see which apps are using the most memory. Restart your Mac, which clears temporary memory and often fixes slow performance faster than clearing cache.