---
title: "How to Clear the Cache on a Mac"
description: "If an app won’t open, keeps crashing, or a website is displaying broken layouts, corrupted cache files are usually the culprit. Clearing them forces the app to load a fresh, working copy."
url: https://help.titlecapture.com/en/articles/56-how-to-clear-the-cache-on-a-mac
collection: "FAQ & Troubleshooting"
updated: 2026-11-04
language: en
---

# How to Clear the Cache on a Mac

If an app won’t open, keeps crashing, or a website is displaying broken layouts, corrupted cache files are usually the culprit. Clearing them forces the app to load a fresh, working copy.

Over time, your Mac stores temporary files known as **cache**. While these files are designed to help apps and websites load faster, a bloated cache can slow down your system, consume valuable disk space, or cause applications to misbehave.

This guide walks you through safely clearing your system, user, and browser caches.

## 1\. Clear User and Application Cache

The user cache holds data generated by the apps you run. Clearing it can resolve app glitches and free up significant storage.

1.  Open **Finder**.
    
2.  Click **Go** in the top menu bar, then select **Go to Folder...** (or press `Cmd + Shift + G`).
    
3.  Type or paste the following path exactly and hit **Enter**:
    
    `~/Library/Caches`
    
4.  You will see a list of folders belonging to various applications.
    
5.  Select the files or folders you want to clear and move them to the **Trash**.
    
    > **Note:** It is safest to delete the _contents_ of these folders rather than the folders themselves.
    
6.  **Empty your Trash** to permanently clear the space.
    

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/1YUJ4gQvnFewIsglN8QUTOsP5kFNDP3xGUzQ6vLSrOhlyDbYQP8a5ZfjJCiiRvWTL59xkFp7tYT.png)

## 2\. Clear System Cache

System cache is created by the macOS operating system itself. You should generally leave this alone unless you are troubleshooting a specific, severe performance issue.

1.  Open **Finder** and press `Cmd + Shift + G`.
    
2.  Type or paste this path and hit **Enter**:
    
    `/Library/Caches` _(Note: This path does not have the_ `~` _symbol)._
    
3.  Look for the files associated with the system or app causing issues and move them to the **Trash**.
    
4.  **Empty your Trash** and **restart your Mac** immediately to allow the system to rebuild necessary files.
    

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/TiITkSHpCCvcozKxoaoMIjGJz9u68o3FAjFqapK5QvjAoN78dbrt1VbWlha4LmR7ydCixoSYvgF.png)

## 3\. Clear Browser Cache

Web browsers cache images, scripts, and data from websites. Here is how to clear the cache for the most popular Mac browsers:

### Safari

1.  Open Safari and click **Safari** in the top menu bar, then select **Settings** (or **Preferences** on older macOS versions).
    
2.  Go to the **Advanced** tab.
    
3.  Check the box at the very bottom that says **"Show features for web developers"** (or "Show Develop menu in menu bar").
    
4.  A new **Developer** option will appear in your top menu bar. Click it and select **Empty Caches**.
    

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/zTG9GJATCQQrMe5eSEiD1CJcP6oF4YFn1QcYJPyjplGZCaMVixXRWw8zi8TH7s3Zxl58E6OR8ab.png)

### Google Chrome

1.  Open Chrome and press `Cmd + Shift + Delete`.
    
2.  Set the Time Range to **All time**.
    
3.  Check the box for **Cached images and files** (you can uncheck Cookies and History if you wish to keep them).
    
4.  Click **Clear data**.
    

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/65dgfNGAdWJKmj3gw17z4DywxgKh7rEhCbQbEZV6qPKz9tKveJrAMyT5xj0gZJNpob4kYnTHCfQ.png)

## ⚠ Important Precautions

-   **Don't delete blindly:** If you aren't sure what an application folder in `~/Library/Caches` belongs to, leave it alone or search its name online first.
    
-   **Expect temporary slowdowns:** Immediately after clearing your cache, certain apps or websites might load a bit slower the first time you open them. This is normal, as your Mac is recreating fresh, updated cache files.
    

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For any questions, feel free to reach out to us at [support@titlecapture.com](mailto:support@titlecapture.com).