• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

TechEngage®

Connecting mankind with technology

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Cryptocurrency
  • How-to
  • Roundups
  • Science
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Space
  • Apps
  • More
    • Opinion
    • Noteworthy
    • Culture
    • Events
    • Deals
    • Startups
      • Startup Submissions
  • Videos
  • Tools
TechEngage » How-to » Computing

How to clear cache on Mac – Mac user’s complete guide

Nouman S Ghumman Follow Nouman S Ghumman on Twitter January 7, 2021

An illustration of Mac explaining App Cache in Mac for users
FacebookTweetPinLinkedInPrintEmail

In the 21st century, most people strive for higher mobility when different portable devices come in handy. We all use laptops, smartphones, tablets, and other devices daily. However, most of us still know very little about the devices we are using, which is a significant omission.

This guide will talk about one element present in all of our devices, which is still poorly understood by the users. That’s the application cache. Here, we will give a precise definition to this term, explain why it is useful, and guide how to clear application cache Mac. So, let’s dive in and finally get rid of the confusion caused by this term!

Overview

In simple words, the application cache is meant for storing and retrieving all kinds of web resources. It saves the information about every resource you’ve used and then pulls out this data from the disk whenever you revisit them. This ensures a much faster loading speed, as when connecting to known resources, the system won’t connect to the network again.

What are the pros of using the cache? As a matter of fact, the application cache has lots of benefits. First of all, it makes offline browsing possible, which is extremely important nowadays. Secondly, storing cache files makes the system work much faster since the resources come not from the network but straight from your disk. Finally, it provides a certain level of resilience and flexibility to users, which is also essential.

Why is it important to clean it?

So, if application caching brings so many benefits, why would someone ever want to clean it? To answer this question, it is important to understand that every web resource provides hundreds and even thousands of files that are later stored in the cache. Thus, if you never clear your device’s cache, you may have it filled with millions of files, which eventually will lead to slower system performance.

Also read: How to send large files free on the internet.

Besides, there is one more reason to bear in mind. As all of you probably know, web developers introduce updates to their apps and other web resources quite often. With every new update, they remove some of those files that systems cache and replace them with the new ones. So, what happens if you don’t clear your cache? Even though the update has arrived, your system will keep serving the old version of the once cached resource. This can lead to numerous errors, slow speed of loading, missing buttons, and much more!

How to delete app cache on Mac?

To do everything right and not cause any harm to the system, be sure to follow these guidelines:

  1. Go to Finder > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter the following directory ~/Library/Caches and press the ‘Enter’ key.
  3. Look for the folders with the names of your apps and clear the insides of them.
  4. Done.

As you now see, it is quite an easy process. However, there are a few extra tips to keep in mind. First of all, make sure that you have about 10%-15% of space in the junk. That’s the potential space that can be taken by your apps cache files. Also, be very cautious as not every application’s cache can be cleared with no dire consequences, so you should pay due attention to not delete essential files.

Filed Under: Computing Tagged With: Cache, Mac

Related Stories

  • MacBook Air/Pro won’t boot after macOS update, how to fix?

    MacBook Air/Pro won’t boot after macOS update, how to fix?

  • Save on Apple’s M2 & M2 Pro Mac Mini at Amazon

    Save on Apple’s M2 & M2 Pro Mac Mini at Amazon

  • Your guide to using a public cloud

    Your guide to using a public cloud

FacebookTweetPinLinkedInPrintEmail

About Nouman S Ghumman

The writer holds an LLM degree in International Commercial Law from the City University of London. He is a Managing Partner at SG Advocates & Legal Consultants. He is also the Vice President and Associate General Counsel at TECHENGAGE. He can be reached at nouman@sgadvocates.com

Reader Interactions

Share Your Thoughts Cancel reply

Please read our comment policy before submitting your comment. Your email address will not be used or published anywhere. You will only receive comment notifications if you opt to subscribe below.

Primary Sidebar

Become a contributor

We are accepting contributor applications. All applications will be decided in 3 days after applying. To learn more visit the contributors page.
TextSheet Alternative

6 Top Alternatives to Textsheet for 2025

Muhammad Zeshan Sarwar October 5, 2024

battery draining apps

Top 10 battery draining apps to avoid 2025

Muhammad Abdullah October 5, 2024

Recent Stories

  • 6 Top Alternatives to Textsheet for 2025
  • Top 10 battery draining apps to avoid 2025
  • The Benefits of Having a Small Air Compressor for Flat Tires
  • 4 Best Free VPNs for 2025
  • 9 Best Calendar Apps in 2025

Footer

Discover

  • About us
  • Newsroom
  • Staff
  • Advertise
  • Send us a tip
  • Startup Submission Questionnaire
  • Brand Kit
  • Contact us

Legal pages

  • Reviews Guarantee
  • Community Guidelines
  • Corrections Policy and Practice
  • Cookies Policy
  • Our Ethics
  • Disclaimer
  • GDPR Compliance
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Must reads

  • Best AirPods alternatives on Amazon
  • Best PC monitors for gaming on Amazon
  • Best family board games
  • Best video doorbells without subscription
  • Best handheld video game consoles
  • Best all-season tires for snow
  • Best mobile Wi-Fi hotspots
  • Best treadmills on Amazon

Download our apps

TechEngage app coming soon on App Store

© 2024 TechEngage®. All Rights Reserved. TechEngage® is a project of TechAbout LLC.

TechEngage® is a registered trademark in the United States under Trademark Number 6823709 and in the United Kingdom under Trademark Number UK00003417167. It is also ISSN protected under ISSN 2690-3776 and has OCLC Number 1139335774.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy