How to Clear Cache on Mac | System, Browser, and App-by-App Guide

When your Mac feels sluggish or storage is filling up, clearing the cache is one of the first things to try. macOS stores caches across user folders, system folders, browsers, and individual apps. This guide walks through each location separately, with what's safe to remove and how. If performance doesn't improve, also see our guide on when your Mac feels slow, or how to free up Mac storage for storage pressure.

Table of Contents

1. What is Mac Cache?
   1. The Role of Cache
   2. Before You Delete: Check These First
2. Clearing User Cache
   1. Manual Deletion via Finder
   2. Folders That Are Safe to Remove
3. Clearing System Cache
   1. The Steps
   2. If Startup Becomes Slow Afterward
4. Clearing Safari Cache
   1. From Safari Settings
   2. Quick Method via Developer Menu
5. Clearing Chrome, Firefox, and Edge Cache
   1. Chrome
   2. Firefox
   3. Edge
6. App-Specific Cache (LINE, Slack, Spotify, and more)
   1. LINE
   2. Slack
   3. Spotify
7. Clearing DNS Cache and Other Terminal-Based Cleanup
   1. Flush DNS Cache
   2. Clear App Store Cache
8. Automating Cleanup
   1. Built-in Storage Management
   2. Should You Use Third-Party Cleaners?
9. Summary

What is Mac Cache?

Cache is a set of temporary files that apps and macOS save to speed up future operations. Web page images, app startup data, fonts, and thumbnails are all examples. They come in many forms.

The Role of Cache

Normally cache files help your Mac start apps faster and load pages quicker. There's no need to clear them when everything is running smoothly.

Before You Delete: Check These First

• Quit all running apps (especially the browser or app you're about to clear)
• Confirm you have a recent Time Machine backup
• Check current storage usage via About This Mac → Storage

After clearing cache, apps and pages will temporarily feel slower because the cache rebuilds. If problems don't improve, look elsewhere for the cause.

Clearing User Cache

User cache is the safest place to start.

Manual Deletion via Finder

1. In Finder, choose Go → Go to Folder (or ⌘ + Shift + G)
2. Type ~/Library/Caches/ and press Enter
3. You'll see a list of cache folders by app
4. Right-click an app folder you want to clear → Move to Trash
5. Empty the Trash when done

Folders That Are Safe to Remove

• Browsers (com.apple.Safari, com.google.Chrome)
• Media players (com.spotify.client, com.apple.QuickTimePlayerX)
• Messaging (com.apple.Messages, jp.naver.line.mac)

Conversely, some folders are better left alone:

• com.apple.iconservices (slow to regenerate)
• Mail's search index folders (com.apple.mail)

When in doubt, move the folder to a temporary location (like your Desktop) instead of deleting it. If everything works fine for a few days, then move to Trash.

Clearing System Cache

System-wide caches under /Library/Caches/ have broader impact, so proceed with care.

The Steps

1. In Finder, press ⌘ + Shift + G and type /Library/Caches/
2. Enter an admin password if prompted
3. Carefully delete only the folders you've confirmed are safe
4. Restart your Mac

Don't delete everything. Things like OS update files, font cache, and Spotlight index directly affect macOS behavior.

If Startup Becomes Slow Afterward

After clearing system cache, the first app launches and login may feel slow. One or two restarts usually rebuild the necessary caches, so wait a few cycles. If it doesn't improve, restore from Time Machine to the most recent good state.

Clearing Safari Cache

Safari's cache is best cleared from within Safari itself.

From Safari Settings

1. Open Safari
2. Menu bar: Safari → Settings → Privacy tab
3. Click Manage Website Data
4. Select sites and click Remove, or Remove All

To also clear history and cookies, go to History → Clear History and choose a time range. "All History" clears cookies, cache, and autofill in one shot.

Quick Method via Developer Menu

1. In Safari Settings → Advanced tab, check Show features for web developers
2. The Develop menu appears in the menu bar
3. Choose Develop → Empty Caches

Useful when you want to clear only the cache while staying signed in to sites.

Clearing Chrome, Firefox, and Edge Cache

The shortcut ⌘ + Shift + Delete opens the clear-data dialog in all three browsers.

Chrome

1. Launch Chrome and press ⌘ + Shift + Delete
2. Set Time range to All time
3. Check Cached images and files
4. Click Clear data

If you also clear cookies, you'll need to sign in again. Uncheck cookies if you want to stay logged in.

Firefox

1. Menu (≡) → Settings → Privacy & Security
2. Under Cookies and Site Data, click Clear Data
3. Check Cached Web Content and click Clear

Edge

1. Launch Edge and press ⌘ + Shift + Delete
2. Set Time range to All time
3. Check Cached images and files
4. Click Clear now

App-Specific Cache (LINE, Slack, Spotify, and more)

For apps that occupy large amounts of storage, individual cleanup methods are available.

LINE

1. Launch LINE
2. Settings (bottom left) → Chats
3. Delete data → Cached data (check this box)
4. Tap Delete

Chat history itself isn't deleted. If you want to clean up photos and videos too, save them to an album first, then include media cache in the deletion.

Slack

1. Slack menu → Help → Reset Cache and Restart
2. Slack restarts automatically

You can clear cache without signing out. Effective for minor issues like images not loading or delayed notifications.

Spotify

1. Spotify menu → Spotify → Preferences
2. Under Storage, click Clear cache
3. Downloaded offline songs are managed separately and won't be affected

Clearing DNS Cache and Other Terminal-Based Cleanup

When a specific site won't load or new DNS settings aren't taking effect, flush the DNS cache.

Flush DNS Cache

1. Open the Terminal app
2. Run the following command (macOS Big Sur and later):

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

3. Enter your admin password when prompted

Helpful when you can connect to Wi-Fi but specific sites still don't open.

Clear App Store Cache

For when the App Store goes blank or app updates seem stuck.

defaults write com.apple.appstore ShowDebugMenu -bool true

This enables a Debug menu in the App Store that includes Reset Application and Clear Cookies.

Automating Cleanup

Built-in Storage Management

1. About This Mac → Storage → Manage...
2. Enable Optimize, Empty Trash Automatically, and Reduce Clutter

This handles user caches, logs, and cloud document offloading automatically. The right place to start.

Should You Use Third-Party Cleaners?

CleanMyMac, OnyX, and similar tools are convenient but have a documented history of over-aggressive cleanup that removes Safari history or Keychain items. If you use them, always check the exclusion list and take a Time Machine backup before running anything.

Summary

When clearing Mac cache, start with user cache. System and DNS caches are pinpoint tools, used when symptoms point that way.

• Sluggish: User cache + browser cache first
• Low storage: Built-in Storage Management
• Specific site won't load: Flush DNS cache
• Misbehaving app: Clear that app's cache individually

Don't make cache cleanup a regular routine. Run it pinpoint when symptoms appear — that's the right cadence for Mac cache management.