How to clear cache on mac

If you’re a Mac user, you may have heard the term “cache” before. But what exactly is cache, and why should you clear it on your Mac?

Cache is a temporary storage location on your computer that stores data from websites, applications, and other sources. This data is stored to help your computer load these items faster in the future. However, over time, this cache can take up a significant amount of space on your Mac, leading to slower performance and less available storage.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to clear cache on your Mac and why it’s important for maintaining your computer’s performance.

Why Clear Cache on Your Mac?

As mentioned, cache can take up a significant amount of space on your Mac. This can lead to slower performance, longer load times, and less available storage for important files and applications.

Clearing your cache can also help resolve issues with certain websites or applications not loading properly. This is because sometimes the cached data can become corrupted or outdated, causing errors or glitches.

Additionally, clearing your cache can also help protect your privacy. Cached data can include sensitive information such as login credentials or browsing history, and clearing it can help prevent this information from being accessed by others.

Clearing Cache in Safari on Mac

If you primarily use Safari as your web browser on your Mac, you can easily clear your cache by following these steps:

1. Open Safari and click on the “Safari” menu in the top left corner of your screen.
2. Select “Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
3. In the Preferences window, click on the “Privacy” tab.
4. Click on the “Manage Website Data” button.
5. In the new window, click on “Remove All” to clear all cached data.
6. Confirm your selection by clicking “Remove Now” in the pop-up window.

This will clear all cached data from your Safari browser, freeing up space and potentially resolving any issues with websites not loading properly.

Clearing Cache in Google Chrome on Mac

If you use Google Chrome as your web browser, you can clear your cache by following these steps:

1. Open Google Chrome and click on the three dots in the top right corner of your screen.
2. Select “More Tools” from the drop-down menu.
3. Click on “Clear Browsing Data” from the expanded menu.
4. In the pop-up window, select the time range for which you want to clear the cache. For a complete clear, select “All Time.”
5. Check the box next to “Cached images and files.”
6. Click on “Clear Data” to confirm your selection.

This will clear the cached data from your Google Chrome browser, freeing up space and potentially resolving any issues with websites not loading properly.

Clearing Cache in Other Applications on Mac

Aside from web browsers, other applications on your Mac may also have cached data that can be cleared to free up space and improve performance. Here’s how to clear cache in some commonly used applications:

Mail

1. Open the Mail application on your Mac.
2. In the top menu bar, click on “Mail” and select “Preferences.”
3. In the Preferences window, click on the “Accounts” tab.
4. Select the email account for which you want to clear the cache.
5. Click on the “Mailbox Behaviors” tab.
6. Click on the “Reset Cache” button.
7. Confirm your selection by clicking “Reset” in the pop-up window.

Photos

1. Open the Photos application on your Mac.
2. In the top menu bar, click on “Photos” and select “Preferences.”
3. In the Preferences window, click on the “General” tab.
4. Click on the “Reset Cache” button.
5. Confirm your selection by clicking “Reset” in the pop-up window.

iTunes

1. Open iTunes on your Mac.
2. In the top menu bar, click on “iTunes” and select “Preferences.”
3. In the Preferences window, click on the “Advanced” tab.
4. Click on the “Reset Cache” button.
5. Confirm your selection by clicking “Reset” in the pop-up window.

Other Ways to Free Up Space on Your Mac

Aside from clearing cache, there are other ways to free up space on your Mac and improve its performance. Here are a few tips:

Uninstall Unused Applications

Over time, you may accumulate a lot of applications on your Mac that you no longer use. These applications can take up a significant amount of space, so it’s a good idea to regularly go through and uninstall any that you no longer need.

To uninstall an application on your Mac, simply drag the application from your Applications folder to the Trash. You can also use a third-party uninstaller application for a more thorough removal.

Use Cloud Storage

If you have a lot of files and documents taking up space on your Mac, consider using a cloud storage service such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud. These services allow you to store your files in the cloud, freeing up space on your computer.

Empty the Trash Regularly

When you delete files on your Mac, they are moved to the Trash. However, they are not permanently deleted until you empty the Trash. It’s a good idea to regularly empty your Trash to free up space on your Mac.

To empty the Trash, simply right-click on the Trash icon in your Dock and select “Empty Trash.”

Conclusion

Clearing cache on your Mac is an important maintenance task that can help improve your computer’s performance and free up space. By regularly clearing your cache and following other tips for freeing up space, you can ensure that your Mac runs smoothly and efficiently.

If you’re experiencing ongoing performance issues with your Mac, it may be a sign that you need to upgrade your storage capacity. Consider investing in an external hard drive or upgrading your internal storage to keep your Mac running at its best.