Is your Mac running slowly or having weird issues? That might be a sign that it’s time to clear your cache. Cache files can become outdated, corrupt, or just take up too much space over time. Clearing them can help speed things up. This guide will explain what cache is and show you how to delete different types of cache files on your Mac.
What is Cache on a Mac?
On a Mac, the cache is where temporary files are kept to help your apps, websites, and system run faster. By saving these files, your Mac can quickly access them the next time you need them, improving load and response times.
There are three types of cache files on a Mac:
1. Browser Cache: Each web browser maintains its own cache, which stores downloaded page resources such as JavaScript, HTML, CSS, cookies, and images. When you return to the same website, your Mac retrieves the cached data to load the page. This process speeds up loading times since the browser can pull the content directly from the cache instead of requesting it from the server.
2. Application Cache (User Cache): This stores data for your apps, so they don’t have to load everything from scratch each time you open them. This helps your applications run faster and more smoothly.
3. System Cache: This is created by macOS to help your Mac run efficiently. It allows the CPU to access RAM quickly, making system services run faster without needing to load data bit by bit from the main memory.
Clear Browser Cache on Your Mac
Over time, the browser cache can become outdated, leading you to view older versions of webpages. Additionally, the cache may contain cookies and trackers that provide information about you to websites and advertisers. In these situations, clearing the browser cache on your Mac can be advantageous. Doing so won’t harm your Mac or affect your browser’s performance; in fact, it can help improve speed.
The method for deleting the browser cache on a Mac differs depending on the browser you’re using. Below are the steps for Safari and Google Chrome. Let’s take a look.
On Safari
To clear Safari cache, begin by opening the Safari app. Next, go to the Menu Bar, select “History,” and click on “Clear History.” This action will erase your Safari history, including details of the websites you’ve visited, which may affect your future browsing experience.
If you want to retain your browsing history but clear the cache, follow these steps on your Mac:
1. From the Menu Bar, click on Safari and select “Settings.”
2. Open the Advanced tab and select the checkbox for “Show Develop menu in menu bar.”
3. Next, close the Settings window and select “Develop” from the Menu Bar, then choose “Empty Caches.”
This will clear the cache without deleting your browsing history.
On Google Chrome
Deleting the browser cache in Chrome is straightforward and quick. Here’s how to do it:
1. Launch Google Chrome on your Mac and click the three-dot icon on the right to open Chrome Settings. Alternatively, you can paste chrome://settings/ into the search bar.
2. Navigate to the “Privacy and Security” section located in the left-hand sidebar.
3. Click on “Delete Browsing Data.”
4. From the list, select “Cached images and files.” If desired, you can also choose to delete your browsing history or cookies.
5. In the “Time range” dropdown, select “All time,” then click the “Delete data” button at the bottom.
Clear System Cache on Your Mac
Clearing the system cache can be risky because it might delete files that macOS needs to run smoothly. If you decide to do it, make sure to back up your MacBook first.
1. Open Finder on your Mac.
2. In the top Menu Bar, click Go, then select Go to Folder.
3. Type “/Library/Caches/” and press Return.
4. Open the com.apple folders and move the files inside to the bin.
5. To finish, empty the bin by Control-clicking the bin icon in the Dock and selecting Empty Bin.
Delete App Cache on a Mac
Before you start, be aware that deleting the app cache isn’t usually recommended for apps you use regularly. Apps often store important information in cache folders, and deleting them could cause the app to lose data or not work properly. It’s generally best to avoid clearing the app or user cache on your Mac.
If an app is running slowly or not functioning correctly, deleting its cache might help. Keep in mind that this action could also negatively affect the app’s performance. You can remove the cache for apps you no longer use on your Mac.
If you’re prepared to manage any potential issues, follow these steps:
1. Open Finder from the Dock.
2. In the top Menu Bar, click Go, then select Go to Folder.
3. Type “~/Library/Caches/" and press Return.
4. Open each folder and decide which cache files to delete.
5. . After that, drag the selected cache folders to the Bin icon on the Dock and then empty the Bin.
That’s how you clear cache on your Mac. Deleting browser cache is completely safe, as new cache files will be created as needed. However, it’s important to be cautious when dealing with system and application cache files on your Mac.
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