What cache is and why you might want to clear it

Cache is temporary data your Mac stores to make things load faster. When you visit a website, your browser saves images, scripts, and other files so it doesn't have to read them again the next time you visit. Your Mac also caches process data, system files, and login information. This speeds things up — but over time, cache can take up disk space, cause websites to load outdated versions, or slow down your system if the cache files become corrupted.

You might clear cache if a website looks broken, if you're running low on storage space, if you want to remove browsing history, or if your Mac is running slowly. Different types of cache live in different places on your Mac, so where you clear it depends on what you're trying to fix.

Key Takeaways

  • Browser cache (Safari, Chrome, Firefox) is the easiest to clear and lives in your browser settings, usually under History or Clear Browsing Data.
  • System cache files sit in hidden Library folders and can be cleared manually, but most people don't need to touch them unless their Mac is running very slowly.
  • Clearing cache does not delete your passwords or saved usernames unless you specifically choose to clear those items too.
  • You can clear cache one time or set your browser to clear it automatically every time you close the app.

How to clear cache in Safari

Safari stores cache in its own folder. Open Safari, then click Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Select Clear History from the dropdown menu. A window will appear asking how far back you want to clear — choose All History to remove everything, or pick a time range like Last Hour or Last Day.

When you click Clear History, Safari will remove your browsing history, cookies, and cached website data all at once. If you want to clear cache without removing your browsing history, go to Safari > Settings (or Preferences on older Macs), click the Privacy tab, then click Manage Website Data. You can select individual websites and click Remove, or click Remove All to clear everything.

How to clear cache in Chrome and Firefox

Chrome and Firefox both use the same menu path. Open the browser, then press Command + Shift + Delete on your keyboard. This opens the Clear Browsing Data window directly. At the top, choose your time range — All Time clears everything, or pick Last Hour, Last 24 Hours, or Last 7 Days.

Below the time range, you'll see checkboxes for what to clear. Make sure Cached Images and Files is checked. You can also check Cookies and Other Site Data if you want to clear those too, but leave Passwords and Other Sign-in Data unchecked unless you want to remove saved passwords. Click Clear Data when you're ready. The process takes a few seconds.

How to clear system cache on your Mac

Your Mac also stores cache files outside of browsers — in hidden Library folders that most people never see. These files help applications run faster. To clear system cache, you need to access these hidden folders. Open Finder, then press Command + Shift + Period (the period key). This makes hidden files visible.

Navigate to Library > Caches in your home folder. You'll see dozens of folders with names like com.google.Chrome or com.apple.Safari. You can delete individual cache folders if you know which process is causing problems, or you can select all of them and move them to Trash. Your Mac will recreate these folders the next time you use each process. After you're done, press Command + Shift + Period again to hide the files.

Most people don't need to clear system cache unless their Mac is running very slowly or they're trying to fix a specific process problem. If you're not sure which folders to delete, it's safer to just clear browser cache instead.

How to set your browser to clear cache automatically

Instead of clearing cache manually, you can tell your browser to do it every time you close the app. In Safari, go to Safari > Settings > Privacy, then check the box that says Remove All Website Data When Quitting Safari. From now on, Safari will clear cache, cookies, and browsing history automatically when you close it.

In Chrome, go to Chrome > Settings > Privacy and Security, then turn on Clear Cookies and Site Data When You Quit Chrome. In Firefox, go to Firefox > Settings > Privacy & Security, scroll to Cookies and Site Data, and check Delete Cookies and Site Data When Firefox Is Closed. With this setting on, you won't have to remember to clear cache yourself.

What happens after you clear cache

After you clear cache, websites may load slightly slower the first time you visit them, because your browser has to read all the images and files again instead of using the stored copies. This slowdown is usually just a few seconds. The second time you visit, things will be fast again because the browser will have cached the new files.

Clearing cache does not delete your passwords, usernames, or payment information unless you specifically checked those boxes when clearing. It also does not sign you out of websites — you'll stay logged in to most sites. If you want to remove login information too, you can do that separately in your browser settings under Passwords or Autofill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my passwords?

No, unless you specifically check the box for passwords when clearing. Browser cache and passwords are stored separately. You can clear one without touching the other. If you want to remove a saved password, go to your browser's password settings and delete it there.

How much space does cache actually take up?

Browser cache usually takes up between 100 MB and 2 GB depending on how much you browse. System cache can be larger. If your Mac has plenty of free storage, clearing cache won't make much difference. If you're running low on space, clearing cache is worth doing, but deleting old files or applications will free up much more room.

Why does a website look broken after I clear cache?

Sometimes a website's code changes, but your browser is still using the old cached version. Clearing cache forces your browser to read the new version. If a site still looks broken after clearing cache, try a different browser or wait a few hours — the site's server might be having problems.

Is it safe to delete files in the Library Caches folder?

Yes, it's safe to delete cache files. Your Mac will recreate them automatically. The only risk is that applications might run slightly slower the first time you use them after clearing cache, because they have to rebuild their cache files. Never delete anything else in the Library folder unless you know exactly what it does.

Can I clear cache on my Mac without using the browser menu?

Yes. Third-party cleaning applications like CleanMyMac or Disk Diag can clear cache automatically, but they're not necessary. Your browser's built-in clear function works just as well and is free. The only reason to use a cleaning app is if you want to clear cache on a schedule without thinking about it.