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How to Clear Cache on Your Mac

Speed up your Mac with easy cache-clearing tips!

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Last updated: February 7, 2025

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TL;DR

To clear cache on your Mac:

  1. Clear System Cache: In Finder, go to ~/Library/Caches, delete the system cache folders, and empty the Bin.
  2. Clear App Cache: In Finder, go to ~/Library/Caches, remove the app cache folders, and empty the Bin.
  3. Clear Browser Cache:
    • Safari: Enable the Develop menu in Safari settings and use Empty Caches to clear.
    • Chrome: Open Clear browsing data, select cached images and files, then clear the data.
    • Firefox: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security, and use Clear Data to remove cache.

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 few weeks ago, I noticed my Mac was taking forever to load apps, and even simple tasks started to lag. After some digging, I found that cache buildup was the main issue—and clearing it made all the difference. In this post, I’ll show you the steps I used to clear the system, app, and browser cache to speed up your Mac!

Before We Begin:

Clearing the cache is essential when it comes to keeping your Mac computer running smoothly and efficiently. MacKeeper offers an easy way to do this with its Safe Cleanup feature. Safe Cleanup helps you clean internet browsing history, clear caches, remove short-term memory-stored files, and delete leftover files. With Safe Cleanup, you’ll have complete control over what information is stored on your Mac―so you can keep it running like new.

Clear All Cache on Your Mac With MacKeeper In One Click

Keeping your systems clean and tidy can be a bit of a headache. That’s why I always use MacKeeper to clear my Mac’s cache. MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup feature can quickly detect and delete all those pesky files clogging up your Mac’s system.

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

  1. Download and install MacKeeper on your Mac.
  2. Once done, open MacKeeper and select Safe Cleanup in the left sidebar.
click safe cleanup under the cleaning section
  1. Click Start Scan.
click start scan in safe cleanup
  1. Select files from the scan results to remove unnecessary cache items from your system. You can also click the Check All checkbox.
select junk files to remove or click check all
  1. Click Clean Junk Files.
tap clean junk files
  1. You will receive confirmation that the cleaning process has been completed successfully. Click Rescan to scan your Mac again.
click rescan to scan the system again

Types of Cache on a Mac

Did you know that your Mac has not just one, not two, but several different types of cache? Knowing these different types is essential for clearing cache on your Mac.

Here are a few examples of cache types on Mac:

  1. 💻 System Cache: Files created by macOS to help the system and software run smoothly.
  2. 📱 User/App Cache: Files generated by apps to reduce load times and improve performance.
  3. 🌐 Browser Cache: Stored data (images, scripts) from websites to speed up loading during future visits.

Did You Know? Cached files help your Mac and apps load faster by storing temporary data. However, over time, they can build up and slow down your system. Clearing the cache periodically can free up space and keep your Mac running efficiently.

How to Clear System Cache on Mac

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Clearing system cache can free up space and boost your Mac’s performance. Here are the steps to clear the system cache on Mac:

Be careful when manually deleting cache files. Deleting system-critical cache folders can cause apps or the OS to malfunction. Always double-check the folders you’re clearing.

  1. Open Finder, click Go in the top menu bar, and select Go to Folder.
click go in the menu bar and select go to folder
  1. A pop-up box will appear with an empty search bar. Type the following path into the search bar and press Enter:
~/Library/Caches/
type library caches in the window
  1. This will open the Caches folder. Here, select the folder for the system data you want to clear.
  2. Right-click the files and select Move to Bin.
right click system folders and select move to bin
  1. Permanently delete the cache from your Mac by right-clicking the Bin icon and selecting Empty the Bin.
right click the bin and select empty bin

How to Clear App Cache on Mac

Removing app cache improves your Mac’s speed and frees up memory space easily. Here’s how to clear your app cache on Mac:

  1. Open Finder, click Go in the top menu bar, and select Go to Folder from the options.
click go in the menu bar and select go to folder
  1. Paste this exact path into the folder field:
~/Library/Caches
type library caches in the window
  1. Select the folder for the application you want to clear. Right-click it and select Move to Bin.
right click an app folder and select move to bin
  1. Open the Bin and empty it as well.
open bin and click empty bin
  1. Restart your Mac for the changes to take effect.

How to Clear Browser Cache on Mac

Clearing the cache may log you out of websites or apps temporarily. Ensure you remember passwords or save any work before proceeding with the steps.

a. Clearing Browser Cache on Safari

Here are the steps for clearing Safari cache on your Mac:

  1. Open Safari and click the Safari menu item at the top left of your screen. From the drop-down menu, select Settings.
click safari and select settings
  1. Select the Advanced tab and check the box next to the Show Develop menu in menu bar option if it is unchecked.
select the advanced tab and check the box next to show develop menu in menu bar
  1. Go to your menu bar, click Develop, and select Empty Caches from this drop-down list.
click develop and select empty caches
  1. Congratulations! You have successfully cleared your browser cache on Safari.

b. Clearing Browser Cache on Chrome

If you’re a Google Chrome user, follow these steps to clear your cache:

  1. Open Chrome and click the three dots at your display’s top right corner.
click the three dots in google chrome
  1. Select More tools from the drop-down menu, followed by Clear browsing data…
click more tools and select clear browsing data
  1. A pop-up window will appear. Select the Cached images and files option and other data you want to clear. Also, select a Time range at the top.
check cookies and site data and cached web content and tap clear
  1. Now click Clear data to remove these items from your browser.
click clear data
  1. This will successfully clear your browser cache on Chrome.

c. Clearing Browser Cache on Firefox

Follow these steps to clear browser cache on Firefox on Mac:

  1. Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner.
  1. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
click the menu icon select settings
  1. In the Settings window, click Privacy & Security in the left sidebar, scroll down the right pane, and click Clear Data… under Cookies and Site Data.
click privacy security in the left sidebar and click clear data button
  1. Check the boxes next to Cookies and Site Data and Cached Web Content, and tap the Clear button.
check the cookies and site data and cached web content boxes and tap clear
  1. Your Firefox browser cache will now be cleared.

After clearing the cache, restart your Mac to ensure that all temporary files are removed and the system runs smoothly.

Clear Cache on Your Mac Like a Pro

Only cache files are not the culprit behind a slow system. Other factors, like outdated software, malware, full hard drive, can also affect your Mac’s speed. Consider the following tips to optimize your Mac’s performance further:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is cache on Mac?

Cache on Mac refers to temporary files stored on your system to help programs run faster and more efficiently. These files include user data, images, and scripts from websites and apps, allowing quicker access and reduced loading times during subsequent uses.

How often should I clear my cache on Mac?

You should clear your cache on Mac about once a month to keep it running smoothly. If you notice it getting slow or having browser problems, clear the cache more often. This helps your Mac stay fast and efficient.

Will clearing the cache on Mac delete my personal data?

No, clearing the cache on your Mac won’t delete your personal data like documents, photos, or emails. It only removes temporary files stored by applications and the system, which can help improve performance and resolve issues.

Do I need to clear the cache for every app on Mac?

No, you don’t need to clear the cache for every app on Mac. You can choose to clear the cache for specific apps if you experience slow app performance or if the app takes up a lot of storage space.

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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