How to Clear the Cache on a Mac

Clearing the System Cache

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. 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. Click Go. It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.

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. Enter the "Library" folder path. Type ~/Library/ into the text box.

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. 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. 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. 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. Click Finder. It's a menu item in the top-left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.

11. Click Empty Trash…. This option is in the Finder drop-down menu.

12. Click OK when prompted. Doing so will empty the trash, thus completely clearing the cache files from your Mac.
    EXPERT TIP

    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.

    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.