How to clear cache on Mac in a few simple steps
Is your Mac running slower than usual? Apps or web pages going haywire for no discernible reason? Running low on disk space? Excess cache files might be to blame in each of these cases. In this guide, we’ll focus on how to clear cache on Mac devices to improve performance, free up space, and fix any pesky issues.
Read on for quick tutorials on clearing your Mac system, user, browser, and DNS cache. We also offer some valuable tools to make the job easier, explain why you should clear your cache in the first place, and answer some topic-related questions at the end.
How to clear system cache on Mac: Step-by-step guide
Before anything, we recommend backing up your cache in case you encounter any issues later. Otherwise, follow this quick guide to clear cache on Mac:
- Open the Finder app.
- Click Go, then Go to Folder…
- Copy and paste Library/Caches/ into the search box and click Go.
- Go through each folder and delete what you find unnecessary.
To make the job easier, click the “Date Modified” tab to sort items and see what hasn’t been used for a while. If you want to delete your user cache on Mac, use ~/Library/Caches/ at step 3 instead – a small but important difference.
How to clear cache on Safari for Mac
Clearing your Safari cache is simple; just follow these steps:
- Click Safari in the top menu, then click Settings…
- Go to the Advanced tab and check the box that says Show Develop menu in menu bar (or Show features for web developers depending on your macOS version).
- Click the new Develop button at the top of the screen.
- Select Empty Caches, and you’re done.
You can also use the Command + Option + E shortcut to clear your Safari cache on Mac.
How to clear cache in Firefox and Chrome on Mac
Here’s a quick tutorial on how to clear your browser cache in Firefox and Chrome for Mac. You can use the Command + Shift + Delete shortcut in both cases to bring up the clear history menu.
Firefox
- Launch Firefox and click History in the top bar.
- Select Clear Recent History, then choose Everything from the drop-down menu.
- Check the Cache box. Uncheck others as needed.
- Click Clear Now, then OK to finish up.
Chrome
- Open Chrome then click Chrome > Delete Browsing Data…
- From the Time range drop-down, select All time.
- Make sure the Cached images and files box is checked.
- Click Delete data and OK to confirm deletion.
How to clear (or flush) your DNS cache on Mac
Flushing your DNS cache helps clear out any outdated or corrupted DNS records, forcing your Mac to retrieve the correct IPs of any websites you access. Here’s what you need to do:
- Use the Launchpad to search for Terminal.
- Big Sur and later users: paste the sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder command into the Terminal to clear the Mac DNS cache.
- Catalina to El Capitan users: paste the sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder command for the same result.
- Press Enter to complete the process.
Are there any apps that can clear the cache on Mac automatically?
Going through each folder in your cache directory can be a hassle. Fortunately, there are several free apps out there that can make the process go smoother, such as:
- CCleaner for Mac: Helps you automatically clear browser and system cache and other temporary files.
- GrandPerspective: A disk management tool that uses a tree map to visually display file sizes, helping you spot large files and free up space.
- Disk Inventory X: Much like GrandPerspective, this helps identify and remove large files, including cache files.
There are also paid options like CleanMyMac X and MacCleaner Pro out there, but any of these options should be enough for the average user.
Why you should clear your cache on Mac
Clearing your Mac cache frees up space and has the potential to improve system performance as well. The cache basically contains browser images, videos, scripts, app data, and other files that can pile up over time.
Deleting all these cached files gives your Mac a bit of a fresh start. While this may slow down some pages until they’ve had a chance to reload their resources, it ensures you’re accessing the latest content and eliminates unnecessary files that could cause errors or take up space.
Of course, some apps (like photo and video editing software) rely more on cached data than others. That’s why you should back up your Mac cache before deleting anything, especially if you’re working on important projects. Better safe than sorry!
How to clear cache on Mac FAQs
What is cache on Mac?
Your Mac’s cache is temporary data stored by the system or apps to speed up processes. It includes files like images, scripts, or logs that help applications load faster by avoiding repetitive downloads or calculations. Unless you regularly clear your cache, these can quickly add up and cause slowdowns, since you’re unlikely to need this data at all times.
Where is the Mac cache folder located?
The main (or system) cache folder on Mac devices is located in Library/Caches/. You can access it by opening Finder, selecting “Go” in the menu bar, and choosing “Go to Folder.” Enter the path to view the Mac’s cached files.
How do I clear my cache and cookies on Mac?
To clear your user cache, open Finder, go to ~/Library/Caches/, and delete any unneeded files. For cookies, open Safari, go to Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data, and remove specific sites (or click Remove all) to free up space and improve performance. Check out how to clear cookies on other browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera.
Does a Mac automatically clear the cache?
No, Macs don’t automatically clear cache data. While some temporary files may be removed during system updates or restarts, most cache files (like those from apps and browsers) need to be cleared manually to free up space or fix issues.
What happens if I delete all cache files on Mac?
Deleting all cache files frees up storage and can resolve performance issues in some cases. Most apps will rebuild those caches, causing slower performance temporarily. One thing to note is that apps like Photoshop store your progress in these cache files. Only delete the full cache if you’re certain you have no big projects that may be affected.
See also: Best VPNs for Mac
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