What cache is and why clearing it helps

Cache is temporary data your Mac stores to load websites and programs faster the next time you use them. Your browser saves images, scripts, and page layouts. Your system saves recently used files and app data. Over time, this cache grows large enough to slow things down — especially if you have not cleared it in months.

Clearing cache does not delete your passwords, bookmarks, or saved login information unless you specifically choose those options. It removes only the temporary copies. Most people notice their Mac runs noticeably faster after clearing cache, particularly when opening web browsers or switching between programs.

You have two main places to clear: your web browser (Safari, Chrome, or Firefox) and your system cache. Both take less than five minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Browser cache lives inside Safari, Chrome, or Firefox settings and clears in one menu without affecting your passwords or bookmarks.
  • System cache is stored in hidden folders that Finder does not show by default, but you can access it through the Go menu or by using Finder search.
  • Clearing both browser and system cache together gives the biggest speed improvement, and you can do both in under ten minutes.
  • You should clear cache every few months, or sooner if your Mac feels sluggish or a website is not loading correctly.

Clearing cache in Safari

Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top left of your screen. Select Clear History from the dropdown menu. A window will appear asking how far back to clear — choose All History to remove everything, or pick a specific time range like Last Hour or Last Day.

Below the time range, you will see a checkbox for Cookies and other website data. Leave this checked — it removes cached images and temporary files. Click Clear History to finish. Safari will close any open tabs and restart, which is normal.

Clearing cache in Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu. On the left side, click Privacy and Security, then click Clear Browsing Data.

A window will open with several checkboxes. Make sure Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files are both checked. At the top, set the time range to All Time to clear everything. Click Clear Data and wait for the window to close — this usually takes a few seconds.

Clearing cache in Firefox

Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu. On the left side, click Privacy & Security. Scroll down to the Cookies and Site Data section and click Clear Data.

A small window will appear. Make sure both Cookies and Site Data and Cached Web Content are checked. Click Clear to remove them. Firefox will not restart, but you may notice websites load slightly differently the next time you visit them — this is normal and temporary.

Clearing system cache on your Mac

System cache is harder to find because macOS hides it by default. Open Finder and click Go in the menu bar at the top. Hold down the Option key on your keyboard — the menu will change and show Library as an option. Click Library.

You are now in a hidden folder. Look for a folder called Caches and double-click it to open it. Inside you will see dozens of folders with names like com.apple.Safari or com.google.Chrome. You can delete the entire contents of this folder without breaking anything — your Mac will rebuild what it needs.

Select all the files and folders inside (press Command+A), then press Command+Delete to move them to Trash. Empty your Trash afterward by right-clicking the Trash icon in the Dock and selecting Empty Trash. Your Mac may take a few seconds to rebuild system cache the next time you restart, but you will notice improved speed afterward.

When to clear cache and what to expect

Clear your browser cache every two to three months as routine maintenance. Clear it sooner if a website is not loading correctly, showing old versions of pages, or if your Mac feels noticeably slow. Some people clear cache weekly; others do it once a year. The more often you clear, the less noticeable each clearing is.

After clearing cache, your first few visits to websites will be slightly slower because your browser has to read images and scripts again. This slowdown lasts only a few seconds per site. After that, your Mac will feel faster because it is no longer storing months of accumulated temporary files.

If you clear cache and your Mac still feels slow, the problem may be something else — too many browser tabs open, a program running in the background, or a full hard drive. Cache clearing is one maintenance step, not a complete solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my passwords and bookmarks?

No. Cache is only temporary files like images and page layouts. Your passwords, bookmarks, and saved login information are stored separately and are not affected by clearing cache. If you want to keep those things, do not check the boxes for "Passwords" or "Autofill" when clearing.

Can I clear cache automatically on a schedule?

Yes. In Safari, go to Settings and click the Privacy tab, then check "Remove history items" and choose how often (daily, weekly, or monthly). Chrome and Firefox have similar options in their Settings under Privacy. You can also set your browser to clear cache every time you close it, though this means slower first visits to sites after each session.

What is the difference between clearing browser cache and system cache?

Browser cache is temporary files stored by Safari, Chrome, or Firefox — things like website images and scripts. System cache is temporary files stored by macOS itself and your programs. Clearing both gives the biggest speed improvement, but clearing browser cache alone will help most people notice a difference.

Is it safe to delete everything in the Caches folder?

Yes, completely safe. The Caches folder contains only temporary files that your Mac and your programs can rebuild. Deleting the entire folder will not break anything or delete any of your actual files, documents, or settings. Your Mac may take a few seconds longer to start up the first time after you clear it, but that is normal.

Why does my Mac still feel slow after clearing cache?

Cache is one reason Macs slow down, but not the only one. Check whether you have too many browser tabs or programs open, whether your hard drive is nearly full, or whether a background program is using a lot of processing power. You can see what is running by opening Activity Monitor (in Applications > Utilities) and looking at the CPU and Memory tabs.