02 / DISK · 6 min read
How to Clear Cache on Mac Safely Without Damaging macOS
Free up disk space by clearing app and browser caches by hand. Which folders are safe to clean, which to leave alone, and how to do it step by step.
To clear cache on Mac, open Finder, press Shift + Command + G, type ~/Library/Caches, and move the files inside the app folders to the Trash, then empty the Trash. To clear browser caches, use Safari's Develop menu (Empty Caches) or Chrome's Clear Browsing Data. Leave the cache folders that belong to macOS itself alone.
Apps keep small temporary files, called a cache, so they open faster the next time. Over months these files can grow to many gigabytes. Clearing them is safe and frees space. The apps simply build them again.
Where Caches Live on a Mac
- Your app caches (
~/Library/Caches): Temporary files from the apps you use, such as music, chat or photo apps. This is where most of the space goes, and it is safe to clean. - System caches (
/Library/Caches): Files kept for macOS itself. macOS looks after these, so leave them alone. - Browser caches: Saved pictures and page files in Safari, Chrome and other browsers.
How to Clear App Caches in Finder
You do not need a paid cleaning app. Finder can open the folder:
- Click the desktop or open Finder.
- Press Shift + Command + G to open Go to Folder.
- Type
~/Library/Caches(include the~sign) and press Return. - Open the folders of the apps that take the most space and select the files inside. Do not delete the folders themselves.
- Press Command + Delete to move them to the Trash.
- Empty the Trash: click Finder in the menu bar and choose Empty Trash.
Tip: to see which items are biggest, open the folder in list view and click the Size column. If you are not sure about a folder, skip it.
How to Clear the Cache in Safari and Chrome
- Safari: Open Safari, then Settings (⌘,) → Advanced and turn on Show features for web developers (on Ventura it is called Show Develop menu in menu bar). Then choose Develop → Empty Caches in the menu bar. This does not remove your passwords or sign you out of websites.
- Google Chrome: Press Shift + Command + Delete. Set the time range to All time, tick Cached images and files only, and click Delete data.
What Not to Delete
Some websites tell you to wipe system folders like /Library/Caches or /System/Library/Caches. Do not. macOS needs these files, and removing them can make the Mac slow or cause problems when it starts up.
About Mac Cleaning Apps
Many paid cleaning apps promise to clear caches for you. You can do the same by hand with the steps above, so be careful about giving an app broad access to your files just for this.
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The Tegaro Disk tool shows what takes up the space on your disk, so you know where to look first, and it stays free after the 14-day trial. Its safe cleanup of the Trash, app caches, Xcode files and old installers asks before it removes anything and needs Pro.
After you clear caches, apps such as Spotify or Chrome may take a few extra seconds the first time you open them. This is normal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to delete files in ~/Library/Caches on Mac?
Yes. Apps create these files again when they need them. Quit the app first, and delete the files inside an app's folder rather than the whole Caches folder.
Will clearing cache speed up my Mac?
Mostly it frees disk space. Apps may open a little slower the first time while they rebuild their caches. It can help if your disk is almost full, because the Mac needs some free space to run smoothly.
How do I clear cache in Safari without losing saved passwords or cookies?
In Safari, open Settings → Advanced and turn on the Develop menu option. Then choose Develop → Empty Caches. Your passwords stay saved and you stay signed in to websites.
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