Clear the cache on the Apple Mac: This is how it works!

The cache, also known as cache memory, is a buffer for files, calculations or their results and slow background media. It keeps content ready for repeated access so it doesn't have to be reloaded, calculated, or created each time. This ensures a faster workflow at the time of use. After that, the buffer memory can fill up the computer. So how to clear Mac cache? Here you will find instructions on how to clear the system cache of macOS, reset the user cache and clear the browser cache of Safari, Chrome and Firefox.

Clear the user cache on the Apple Mac

The cache of individual users is located in their folder on the Macintosh HD hard drive of the Apple computer. This storage location is part of clearing the cache on the Mac, because numerous settings and app caches accumulate there. For me, the folder is 19 GB in size before cleaning. To free up this or more storage space, follow these steps:

1. Open the Finder and select “Go to folder…” in the menu bar via “Go to”.
2. Give the path there ~ / Library / Caches and press the Enter key
3. To be on the safe side, save the folder contents on an external storage medium (hard drive, USB stick, etc.)
4. Keep the individual folders, but delete their contents by moving them to the trash and then emptying it
5. If this procedure causes problems, reinsert the old content from the external storage medium

Clear the system cache on the Apple Mac

In addition to the user folder and the cache it contains, there is also such a folder at the system level. You can reach this if you remove the tilde (the curved line at the beginning) from the folder path above. This takes you directly to the library, caches and the buffer memory folders on the Macintosh HD. Some you probably don't have access to, but the others you can empty. That's how it works:

1. Open the Finder and select “Go to folder…” in the menu bar via “Go to”.
2. Give the path there /Library/Caches and press the Enter key
3. To be on the safe side, save the folder contents on an external storage medium (hard drive, USB stick, etc.)
4. Keep the individual folders, but delete their contents by moving them to the trash and then emptying it
5. If this procedure causes problems, reinsert the old content from the external storage medium

Clear browser cache on Mac: This is how it works!

As has now been shown, you can delete Mac cache files that belong to individual users, specific apps and the entire system. In addition, there is also the cache of web browsers, in which images, scripts, favicons, cookies and other content from websites are stored so that they do not always have to be reloaded. But if a website is only needed once or twice, its cache is then just garbage. That's why you can also clear the browser cache on the Mac - explained below for Safari, Chrome and Firefox.

Clear Safari Cache

The most common way to delete website data is to clear the history. But deleting history doesn't clean up a browser's entire buffer memory. In Safari you can not only use “History” in the menu bar and then “Clear history…” at the bottom, but also the developer tool “Clear cache memory”. And this is how you do it:

1. Open Safari and click on “Safari” in the menu bar and then on “Settings…”
2. Click on the “Advanced” tab and check the “Show features for web developers” box at the bottom.
3. Closes the Settings window to return to Safari
4. Click on “Developer” in the menu bar
5. Now select “Clear cache” from this menu

Clear Chrome cache

In the Chrome browser, the menu for deleting data is also a bit hidden, but in addition to the history and other content, you can directly select the data and images from the cache for removal. The way to do this is via the settings that can be accessed in the app itself. Here is the process in the step-by-step instructions:

1. Open the Chrome app, click on the three menu items in the top right and click on “Settings”
2. In Chrome Settings, select “Privacy and Security” on the left
3. Click on “Clear browsing data”
4. Select the “Advanced” tab, “All time” for the period and “Cached images and files” in the list
5. Finally, click on the “Delete data” button

Clear Firefox cache

In the Firefox browser the route leads again via the menu bar. But here you don't have to activate a special developer menu or anything like that. The point to use is called “Chronicle”. And this is how you proceed if you want to delete the Firefox cache on the Apple Mac:

1. Opens the Firefox app
2. Click on “History” in the menu bar
3. Now select “Delete most recent history…”
4. Set the time period to “Everything” and click on “Cache” and, if desired, “Cookies”, “Visited pages & download history”, etc
5. Complete the whole thing with the “Delete now” button

Here's how to do it easier: Use CleanMyMac X as a Mac cache cleaner

If you often search for junk data and want to remove it with one click, then CleanMyMac X from MacPaw is a good choice. The app offers numerous functions thanks to which you can customize your Mac and the macOS system, clean it, keep apps up to date and uninstall them, eliminate malware and keep an eye on the memory of your Mac, iPhone and external storage media. CleanMyMac X is also available Setapp-Subscription with 240+ additional full app versions for less than 10 euros per month. Here are the links to the offers: CleanMyMac X / Setapp.

Johannes Domke

[On vacation] After graduating from high school, Johannes completed training as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which led to his independence. He has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others, for several years now. His articles include product introductions, news, instructions, video games, consoles and much more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.