How to Clear Cache on a Mac

If your MacBook is freezing, applications are crashing unexpectedly, or you notice a massive block of “System Data” eating up your hard drive, a bloated cache is likely to blame. A cache is simply a folder where your Mac stores temporary files (like website images or app configurations) so it does not have to download them again later.

While caching is designed to speed up your computer, these files can eventually become corrupted or grow to tens of gigabytes in size. Here is how to safely clear the cache on a Mac without downloading any sketchy third-party “cleaner” software.

Step 1: Clear Your Web Browser Cache

For most users, the Safari web browser creates the largest cache files. Clearing Safari will often solve formatting glitches on websites and instantly free up space.

1. Open the Safari browser.
2. Click the word Safari in the top-left corner of the menu bar, right next to the Apple logo.
3. Select Settings (or Preferences on older Macs) from the drop-down menu.
4. Click on the Advanced tab at the very far right of the settings window.
5. Check the box at the very bottom that says Show Develop menu in menu bar. You can now close the settings window.
6. Look at the main menu bar at the very top of your screen again. Click the new Develop menu.
7. Click Empty Caches.

Unlike clearing your history, this specific method deletes the hidden temporary files without logging you out of your favorite websites.

Step 2: Clear the System and App Cache

If clearing Safari did not fix your problem, you need to clear the hidden system cache folders located deep inside the macOS library.

Warning: Before proceeding, it is highly recommended to save your work and create a Time Machine backup, just in case you accidentally delete the wrong file.

1. Open the Finder app (the smiling blue face in your dock).
2. Click on Go in the top menu bar.
3. Hold down the Option key on your keyboard. A hidden menu item called Library will magically appear in the drop-down list. Click it.
4. In the Library folder that opens, find the folder named Caches and double-click to open it.

You are now looking at the master cache folder for every app on your Mac. You will see dozens of folders with names like com.apple.Safari or com.spotify.client.

1. To select everything, press Command + A on your keyboard.
2. Right-click anywhere on the highlighted files and select Move to Trash. (Alternatively, press Command + Delete).
3. Your Mac may ask you to enter your administrator password to authorize the deletion of certain system files.

Step 3: Empty the Trash and Restart

The files are not actually deleted yet; they are just sitting in your Trash can, still taking up space.

1. Right-click the Trash icon in your dock and select Empty Trash.
2. Once the trash is empty, click the Apple Logo in the top-left corner and select Restart….

Restarting is crucial. As your Mac boots back up, it will automatically rebuild a fresh, clean, and uncorrupted cache for the operating system. You might notice that your apps take a second longer to open the very first time you use them, but your Mac will run much smoother overall.