Mac makes it easy to clear your cached data using simple keyboard shortcuts.įrom your Finder window, hit shift, command, and G. (Keep in mind: After clearing this data, you may find that when you visit certain websites, you will need to enter your credentials even if you didn’t have to before.) How to clear your user/app cache on Mac If you’re having issues with certain apps, it may also be time to clear your cache. There are a few different types of cached data: user or app data that saves information for certain apps system cache, which your operating system uses to save process information and browser cache, which saves your web browsing activity.Ĭonvenient, right? But it’s important to clear this cached information every now and then to keep your data safe and free up disk space, which helps your operating system run more smoothly. That way, your computer doesn’t have to spend time downloading all of that information again - it can just pull it from the cache. When you visit that same site in the future, your browser simply (and quickly) loads data from the folder it's already created. When you visit a website, for example, your browser will download data like images, scripts, and login credentials and save it all in a cached folder.

This is called caching, which, as Apple puts it, “helps reduce internet data usage and speed up software installation on Mac computers, iOS and iPadOS devices, and Apple TV.” Many of your daily computer activities - like opening programs, logging onto email, and navigating websites - are saved as temporary files within your computer.

Best free mac cache cleaner