How to Clear Safari Cache on macOS

Clearing the cache in Safari can help improve browser performance, fix loading issues, and free up space on your Mac. Over time, cached files can accumulate, slowing down your browsing experience. In this guide, we’ll walk you through different methods to clear Safari’s cache on macOS.

Method 1: Using the Developer Menu (Recommended)

The best way to clear Safari’s cache without affecting browsing history or saved passwords is through the Developer menu. Follow these steps:

1. Open Safari on your Mac.
2. Enable the Developer menu (if it’s not already enabled):
   • Click Safari in the top menu bar and select Settings (or Preferences in older versions).
   • Go to the Advanced tab.
   • Check the box for Show Develop menu in menu bar.
3. Clear the cache:
   • Click Develop in the menu bar.
   • Select Empty Caches.
4. Restart Safari for the changes to take effect.

Method 2: Clearing Cache via History Removal

If you prefer a quick and easy way to remove cache along with your browsing history and cookies, use this method:

1. Open Safari.
2. Click Safari in the top menu bar and select Clear History.
3. Choose the time range (e.g., last hour, today, today and yesterday, or all history).
4. Click Clear History.

Note: This method also deletes cookies and website data, logging you out of websites.

Method 3: Manually Deleting Cache Files

For a more thorough cleanup, you can remove Safari’s cache files directly from the system:

1. Close Safari to prevent conflicts.
2. Open Finder, then press Command + Shift + G to open Go to Folder.
3. Type the following path and press Enter:

   ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari
   

4. Select all files in the folder and move them to Trash.
5. Empty the Trash and restart Safari.

Why Clear Safari Cache?

• Improves browser performance by removing old and unnecessary files.
• Fixes website loading issues caused by outdated or corrupted cache data.
• Frees up disk space by deleting stored website resources.
• Ensures privacy by removing stored browsing data.

Clearing Safari’s cache on macOS is simple and can significantly enhance your browsing experience. Whether you use the Developer menu, clear your history, or manually delete cache files, regularly performing these tasks helps maintain a fast and efficient browser. If you frequently encounter website issues or slow loading speeds, consider clearing your cache as part of routine maintenance.

Photo by Geometric Photography