Cache is temporary files created by the operating system and applications to speed up work. If you do not delete them for a long time, then over time this can lead to clutter and even “slowdowns” of the system. We tell you how to clear the cache on a MacBook.
What is cache and why should you clear it?
Cache is data that is stored on your device to speed up access to frequently used information. It comes in several types:
- System cache – files created by macOS to improve performance;
- Application cache is data that is stored by various programs;
- Browser cache is temporary data that websites store to make pages load faster.
Cache is useful for quickly accessing information, but over time its accumulation can cause problems:
- Lack of free disk space;
- Decreased system performance;
- Loading outdated information from web pages;
- Errors appearing in the browser.
Clearing your cache regularly helps keep your Mac running smoothly and avoid annoying situations like app crashes or web page loading errors.
How to Clear Cache on Mac Manually
Clearing the cache manually is a bit like spring cleaning your house. You need to take a little time to go through all the nooks and crannies and remove unnecessary files. You can use the Finder app to clear the system and program cache:
- Close all applications. This is important because open programs may use the cache and you will not be able to delete them;
- Open Finder and select Go > Go to Folder;
- Enter path: ~/Library/Caches;
- Select the files you want to delete and drag them to the trash. Be careful not to delete important files – if you are not sure, it is better to leave them;
- Open the Recycle Bin and click Empty Recycle Bin to completely delete files.
If you want to make the process faster and safer, you can use special programs such as CleanMyMac X . They allow you to delete the cache in one click, minimizing the risk of accidentally deleting the necessary files. Such programs will help you not only get rid of temporary data, but also free up more disk space for your important files and programs.
How to Clear Safari Browser Cache
Browser cache helps frequently visited sites load faster, but over time it can accumulate a lot of unnecessary information. Clearing the cache in Safari is an easy way to refresh the data and fix possible problems with displaying sites.
- Open Safari browser;
- Go to Safari menu > Preferences;
- Open the Add-ons tab and check the box next to Show Develop menu in menu bar;
- The Develop menu will appear at the top of the screen. Click on it and select Clear Caches.
You can also delete your browsing history via Safari > History > Clear History, but this is a less drastic method and does not delete all temporary data. This method is useful if you need to quickly free up some memory or get rid of old data about visited sites.
How to Clear Google Chrome Browser Cache
If you actively use Google Chrome, the cache can also accumulate and slow down the browser. Clearing the cache will help eliminate problems with displaying pages and free up memory:
- Open Google Chrome;
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Clear browsing data;
- Make sure the options you want are selected, such as Cached images and files, and click Clear data.
This process won’t take long, but it will help get Chrome back to its normal speed and fix any issues you may have with loading websites.
How to Delete Cookies on Mac
Cookies are small files that store information about your activity on websites, including settings, preferences, and authorization. Sometimes it’s useful to delete cookies to reset website settings or fix problems with logging into websites. To delete cookies in Safari:
- Go to Safari > Preferences;
- Select Privacy and click Manage site data;
- Select the websites whose data you want to delete and click Delete.
Clearing cookies can help if sites aren’t working properly or if you need to reset personalization settings such as language or currency settings.
For Google Chrome, similarly, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data, then delete the selected files. Cookies can store authorization data, so after deleting them, you will need to re-enter passwords on sites