Quick Answer
- Safari: Go to Safari > Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data and remove data. Use History > Clear History to clear history.
- Chrome: Press Cmd + Shift + Delete or use the menu to open Delete browsing data, then tick Cached images and files.
- System and app cache: In Finder choose Go > Go to Folder, type
~/Library/Cachesand move individual files to the Trash. - Be careful with system folders. Back up first and never delete files you do not recognize.
A Mac stores cache from your browsers and apps. Clearing it can free space and fix glitches, but the system folders need extra care.
How to Clear Safari Cache on Mac
Apple’s support pages describe two options.
Remove website data:
- Open Safari.
- Choose Safari > Settings, then click Privacy.
- Click Manage Website Data.
- Select one or more sites and click Remove, or click Remove All.
Apple warns this may reduce tracking but can sign you out of websites, and it may also change or remove data used by other apps.
Clear history:
- In Safari, choose History > Clear History.
- Pick a time range from the pop-up menu.
This removes your history, recent searches and frequently visited sites. If Safari syncs through iCloud, the history is removed on your other devices too. For your iPhone, see how to clear cache on iPhone.
Optional developer tip: If you turn on the Develop menu in Safari settings, it offers an Empty Caches command for clearing the browser cache only.
How to Clear Chrome Cache on Mac
Open Chrome, click the three dots, choose Delete browsing data, pick a time range and tick Cached images and files. Click Delete data. Google says some sites may load slower afterward because images need to download again.
How to Clear User Cache on Mac (App Cache)
Tom’s Guide lists these steps for app and user cache:
- Open Finder and choose Go > Go to Folder.
- Type
~/Library/Cachesand press Enter. - Right-click individual files or folders and choose Move to Trash.
- Empty the Trash.
How to Clear System Cache on Mac
For system-wide cache, the same guide says to choose Go > Go to Folder, type /Library/Caches and delete files inside folders. Only do this if you know what you are doing or are fixing a problem with a specific program.
Safety Warnings Before You Delete Anything
- Back up your Mac before clearing anything.
- Delete individual files, not everything at once.
- If you do not recognize a file, search its name online first.
- Skip “one-click cleaner” apps you do not trust.
Cache clearing is not a fix for every problem. If your Mac has security or bug issues, install the latest macOS updates instead. See our report on the iOS 26.7.1 security update, which also covers macOS Tahoe and Sequoia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clear cache on a Mac?
For browsers, use the browser’s own clear-data menu. For app cache, use Finder, Go to Folder and ~/Library/Caches.
How do I clear Safari cache on Mac?
Go to Safari, then Settings, Privacy, Manage Website Data and remove sites. You can also use History, then Clear History.
Is it safe to delete the Library Caches folder?
Do it carefully. Delete individual files you recognize, back up first and avoid deleting everything at once.
Will clearing cache delete my files or photos?
No, cache folders hold temporary files, not your documents or photos. Still, back up before deleting anything in system folders.
Will Safari sign me out after I remove website data?
It can. Apple says removing website data may sign you out of websites.
How do I clear Chrome cache on a Mac?
Open Delete browsing data from Chrome’s menu and tick Cached images and files.
How often should I clear Mac cache?
Only when you have a problem or need space.
