Avoid These Common Mistakes While Clearing Cache on Your Mac Featured Image

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Clearing Cache on Your Mac

Keep your Mac fast—clear cache the smart way!

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Last updated: February 7, 2025

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TL;DR

Avoid these mistakes when clearing cache on your Mac:

  1. Clean your system, web browsers, and user applications cache files with MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup.
  2. Use built-in tools to avoid deleting important files.
  3. Log out before clearing the browser cache to prevent login issues.
  4. Choose trusted tools to avoid system problems.
  5. Back up your data before clearing the app cache.
  6. Clear system cache regularly to maintain performance.

Tried and Tested ✅: The methods and steps mentioned in this article have been tried and tested firsthand by Ojash Yadav on his MacBook Pro M3 and rechecked for errors on Hashir’s MacBook Air M2.

A slower Mac can often be fixed by clearing the cache. But be careful—there are a few mistakes you’ll want to avoid first.

Before We Begin

Clearing your cache can improve your device’s performance but manually clearing the cache files is risky since you may delete an important file accidentally. To avoid such an unfortunate situation, use MacKeeper to clear the cache quickly and effectively without deleting any important files.

Clear Cache on Your Mac Using MacKeeper

MacKeeper is a third-party software designed to optimize and improve your Mac’s performance. One of its features is the ability to clear various cache files that can accumulate over time and slow down the computer’s performance.

Using MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup, you can clear the cache files for your system, web browsers, and user applications. The software also provides options for selectively clearing cache files based on specific categories, such as system logs or language caches.

Here’s how to clear cache on your Mac using MacKeeper:

  1. Download and install MacKeeper on your Mac.
  2. Open MacKeeper and click Safe Cleanup in the left sidebar.
MacKeeper app interface highlighting Safe Cleanup feature for optimizing Mac storage.
MacKeeper app interface highlighting Safe Cleanup feature for optimizing Mac storage.
  1. Click Start Scan.
MacKeeper Safe Cleanup interface for cleaning junk files easily.
MacKeeper Safe Cleanup interface for cleaning junk files easily.
  1. Wait for the scan to complete, and select the junk files you want to delete. You can also click Check All to select all.
MacKeeper Safe Cleanup showing 291 MB of junk files found on Mac with cleaning options.
MacKeeper Safe Cleanup showing 291 MB of junk files found on Mac with cleaning options.
  1. Click Clean Junk Files.
MacKeeper Safe Cleanup interface showing 291 MB of junk files found.
MacKeeper Safe Cleanup interface showing 291 MB of junk files found.
  1. A Cleaning Completed notification will appear with the size of junk files removed. Click Rescan to run the scan again.
MacKeeper app showing cleaning completed, 280.3 MB junk files removed.
MacKeeper app showing cleaning completed, 280.3 MB junk files removed.

What Else Can MacKeeper Do?

Besides clearing your cache files one Mac, MacKeeper can do other system optimization asks, too, like scanning your Mac for virus, freeing up RAM, deleting duplicate files, and stopping pesky ads and pop-ups. Check out my MacKeeper review to learn more about its amazing features.

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Clearing Cache on Your Mac

Why You Can Trust MacBook Journal verify badge We always conduct first-hand research and verify every method or solution we present, ensuring you receive reliable and effective advice. Learn more about our process.

In this section, I’ve explained five common mistakes to avoid when clearing cache on your Mac:

1. Deleting Cache Without Knowing

Manually deleting cache files without understanding their purpose can cause problems. Some cache files are critical for your Mac’s performance, and removing them could lead to system instability.

Tip: Use Apple’s built-in disk management tools like Storage Management or trusted third-party apps to clear the cache safely without risking deleting important files.

2. Clearing Browser Cache Without Signing Out

Forgetting to sign out of your accounts before clearing your browser cache can cause login issues. The cache stores session data, and clearing it without logging out can disrupt your access to certain accounts.

safari browsing cache

Tip: Always log out of your accounts before clearing your browser cache to prevent any login problems.

3. Using Untrusted Third-Party Tools

Using third-party tools that aren’t properly vetted can lead to system issues. Some tools might delete essential system files or data, which can negatively affect your Mac’s performance.

Tip: Choose tools with verified reviews and positive ratings, preferably from the Apple App Store, to ensure they are reliable and safe.

You can also use MacKeeper to clear cache on your Mac. Simply download and install the software, run the Safe Cleanup tool, and after the scan completes, select the junk files and click Clean Junk Files to remove them.

click start scan in safe cleanup

4. Not Backing Up App Data

If you don’t back up your data before clearing app cache, you risk losing important app settings or files. Without a backup, it may be difficult to recover lost data.

backup data

Tip: Always back up your data using Time Machine or iCloud before clearing app cache to ensure your data is safe.

5. Ignoring System Cache for Too Long

Letting system cache build up over time can cause your Mac to slow down. Cache from apps like Safari and Spotlight can accumulate and affect your system’s performance if left unmanaged.

Tip: Set a monthly reminder to clear your system cache, either manually or with automated tools, to keep your Mac running efficiently.

Clearing cache does not always resolve performance issues. If your Mac continues to run slow after clearing cache, there may be other underlying problems, such as hardware failure or software bugs.

How Often Should You Clear Cache on Your Mac?

The frequency of clearing cache on your Mac depends on how you use your device. Here’s a simple breakdown:

  • Casual Users: If you mainly browse the web, stream content, or use a few lightweight apps, clearing the cache every few months should be enough.
  • Power Users: If you regularly use heavy apps like video editing, design software, or gaming, consider clearing cache once a month to maintain performance.

🌐 Browser Cache: Clear your browser cache if websites are loading slowly or behaving unexpectedly. However, avoid clearing it too often since this can log you out of accounts and slow down how fast websites load on subsequent visits.

📱 App Cache: App cache helps apps run faster by storing frequently used data. Clearing it too often may slow down app loading times, so only clear it when necessary, such as when an app is misbehaving or taking up too much space.

💻 System Cache: System cache doesn’t need to be cleared as frequently. Aim to clear it when your Mac’s overall performance seems to be slowing down, or if you’re running low on storage space.

Tip: The key is balance—clear cache when you notice slow performance, but don’t do it too often, as it can erase useful data and slow down your system temporarily.

How to Properly Clear Cache on Your Mac

Clearing cache on your Mac helps improve performance and free up space, but doing it correctly is key. Learn the safest methods to clear system, app, and browser cache without causing issues. Check out my step-by-step guide on how to properly clear cache on your Mac for detailed instructions.

Clear Your Mac Cache Like a Pro

Clearing the cache regularly keeps your system smooth, improves browsing, and ensures reliable data. Avoid common mistakes to make the process safe and effective.

To make sure you don’t fall into these traps in the future, here are some tips:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can clearing cache cause any harm to my computer? 

Clearing cache is generally safe and doesn’t cause harm to your computer. However, some applications may require the cache data to run smoothly, and clearing the cache may cause temporary performance issues or require the application to re-download data.

Will clearing the cache speed up my Mac? 

Clearing your cache may speed up your Mac by freeing up storage space and reducing the amount of data your computer needs to load. However, it may not result in a significant improvement in performance for all applications.

Do I need a special tool to clear the cache on my Mac? 

No, you don’t need a special tool to clear the cache on your Mac. You can clear cache manually by accessing the individual application’s settings or using the Terminal app. However, using a third-party tool like MacKeeper can make the process faster and more convenient.

Ojash

Author

Hi there! I'm Ojash, a tech journalist with over a decade of experience in the industry. I've had the privilege of contributing to some of the world's largest tech publications, making my mark as a respected Mac expert. My passion lies in exploring, using, and writing about MacBooks, and I enjoy sharing my expertise to help others make informed decisions and get the most out of their MacBook experience. Join me as we delve into the fascinating world of MacBooks together!

Hashir Ibrahim

Reviewer

Hello! I'm Hashir, a seasoned tech journalist with a unique blend of academic expertise and hands-on experience. With a bachelor's in IT, a master's in cybersecurity, and over a decade in the industry, I've built a reputation for demystifying complex Apple hardware. My work has been featured in top tech outlets like MakeUseOf and MakeTechEasier. As the senior writer at MacBook Journal, I write guides that help you solve any issues you have with your mac.

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