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How to Clear the Cache on a Mac

This wikiHow teaches you how to clear the cache of temporary system files that your Mac stores as you use it, as well as how to clear the Safari browser's cache of temporary Internet files. Keep in mind that clearing the system cache can...
Method 1 of 2:

Clearing the System Cache

  1. How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 1How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 1
    Close as many open programs as possible. Open programs use files from the "Cache" folder, so you won't be able to remove as many cached files as you like if you have multiple programs open.
  2. How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 2How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 2
    Go to your Mac's Finder. Do this by clicking on your Desktop image or on the blue smiley-face icon on the far left in your Dock.
  3. How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 3How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 3
    Click Go. It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
  4. How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 4How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 4
    Click Go to Folder…. You'll find this option near the bottom of the Go drop-down menu. Doing so opens a text box.
  5. How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 5How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 5
    Enter the "Library" folder path. Type ~/Library/ into the text box.
  6. How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 6How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 6
    Click Go. It's a blue button in the bottom-right corner of the text box. This will open the Library folder, in which you should find a folder named "Caches".[1]
  7. How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 7How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 7
    Double-click the "Caches" folder. This folder should be near the top of the Finder window, but scroll down to find it if it isn't there.
  8. How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 8How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 8
    Select the "Caches" folder's contents. Click one item or folder in the "Caches" folder, then press ⌘ Command+A. Doing so selects everything in the "Caches" folder.
  9. How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 9How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 9
    Delete the "Caches" folder's contents. Click the File menu item at the top of the screen, then click Move Items to Trash in the drop-down menu. The "Caches" folder's contents will be moved to the Trash.
    1. If you receive an error telling you that one or more of the files can't be deleted, they're being used by a program that's currently open. Skip deleting these files for now, then try deleting them later when the programs in question aren't open.
  10. How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 10How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 10
    Click Finder. It's a menu item in the top-left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
  11. How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 11How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 11
    Click Empty Trash…. This option is in the Finder drop-down menu.
  12. How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 12How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 12
    Click OK when prompted. Doing so will empty the trash, thus completely clearing the cache files from your Mac.
    EXPERT TIP
    How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 13How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 13

    Gonzalo Martinez

    Apple Repair Specialist & President, CleverTech
    Gonzalo Martinez is the President of CleverTech, a tech repair business in San Jose, California founded in 2014. CleverTech LLC specializes in repairing Apple products. CleverTech pursues environmental responsibility by recycling aluminum, display assemblies, and the micro components on motherboards to reuse for future repairs. On average, they save 2 lbs - 3 lbs more electronic waste daily than the average computer repair store.
    How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 14How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 14
    Gonzalo Martinez
    Apple Repair Specialist & President, CleverTech

    Expert Trick: Shutting down your Mac completely clears your cache. Be sure to completely shut down your computer routinely to make sure there aren't applications that you quit but are still taking up some RAM space.

Method 2 of 2:

Clearing the Safari Cache

  1. How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 15How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 15
    Open Safari. The Safari app icon resembles a blue compass, and can usually be found in your Mac's Dock at the bottom of the screen.
  2. How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 16How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 16
    Click Safari. It's a menu item in the top-left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
    1. If you see a Develop menu item in the bar at the top of the screen, click it instead, then skip ahead to the "Click Empty Caches" step.
  3. How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 17How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 17
    Click Preferences…. It's near the top of the Safari drop-down menu. A new window will open.
  4. How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 18How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 18
    Click the Advanced tab. You'll find it on the far right side of the Preferences window.
  5. How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 19How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 19
    Check the "Show Develop menu in menu bar" box. It's at the bottom of the Preferences window. This adds the Develop tab to the menu bar for Safari.
  6. How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 20How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 20
    Click Develop. It's an option in the menu bar at the top of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
  7. How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 21How to Clear the Cache on a Mac Picture 21
    Click Empty Caches. You'll see it in the Develop drop-down menu. Doing so will automatically clear your Mac's Safari cache.
    1. You won't see a pop-up window or a confirmation notice when the cache is cleared.
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