Clearing the cache on your Mac computer can help improve its performance by freeing up storage space and potentially resolving some software-related issues. Here’s how you can clear different types of caches on your Mac:
1. Clear Browser Caches:
If you use web browsers like Safari, Chrome, or Firefox, they store temporary files (caches) that can accumulate over time. Clearing these caches can help improve browsing speed and free up storage:
- Safari: Open Safari, go to the “Safari” menu, and select “Clear History.” Choose the time range and clear the history and website data.
- Chrome: Open Chrome, click on the three dots at the top-right corner, go to “More tools,” and choose “Clear browsing data.” Select the types of data you want to clear and the time range.
- Firefox: Open Firefox, go to the “History” menu, and select “Clear Recent History.” Choose the time range and the types of data you want to clear.
2. Clear User Cache:
User caches are temporary files generated by applications. Clearing these caches can help free up space and resolve potential app-related issues:
- Open Finder.
- Go to the “Go” menu in the top menu bar and select “Go to Folder.”
- Enter the following path and press Enter:
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~/Library/Caches
- Delete the contents of the “Caches” folder. You can select and delete folders related to specific apps or clear the entire cache folder.
3. Clear System Cache:
System caches are temporary files used by the macOS operating system. Clearing these caches can help improve overall system performance:
- Restart your Mac in Safe Mode. To do this, restart your Mac and hold down the Shift key until you see the Apple logo.
- Once your Mac is in Safe Mode, restart it again normally.
4. Clear DNS Cache:
The DNS cache stores information about website addresses. Clearing it can help resolve network-related issues:
- Open Terminal (you can find it in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder).
- Type the following command and press Enter:
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
- Enter your admin password when prompted.
5. Use Third-Party Cleaning Apps:
There are various third-party apps like CleanMyMac, CCleaner, and Onyx that offer tools to help you clear caches and optimize your Mac’s performance. Be cautious when using these apps, as they can have varying levels of effectiveness and may not always be necessary.
Remember that clearing caches might cause some apps to load slower initially as they rebuild their cache files. While clearing caches can help improve performance, it’s also a good practice to regularly maintain your Mac by keeping software updated, managing storage, and optimizing your system settings.