Hello there Mac users!
Have you noticed your Mac running slower than usual? Well, the issue might be lurking in the background – caches. Caches are temporary files that are stored on a computer to help load web pages quicker or for other applications to run smoothly.
But sometimes, these caches can accumulate and become outdated, causing your Mac to slow down. The solution? Clearing your Mac caches!
In this article, we will guide you through 12 simple steps on how to clear caches on your Mac, so you can enjoy a faster and smoother performance. So, let’s get started!
Steps
Step 1 – Quit all applications
The first thing you want to do is quit all your applications. This is to ensure that no files are being accessed or opened while you’re clearing the caches on your Mac.
Step 2 – Open Finder
Once you’ve quit all your applications, open the Finder window. This can be done by clicking on the Finder icon on your dock.
Step 3 – Press Shift + Command + G
Next, press the keys Shift + Command + G on your keyboard. This will open the “Go to folder” window.
Step 4 – Type in “~/Library/Caches”
In the “Go to folder” window, type in “~/Library/Caches” without the quotation marks. This will lead you to the location of your Mac’s cache files.
Step 5 – Select all the files
Once you’re in the cache folder, press Command + A on your keyboard to select all the items in the folder.
Step 6 – Move to Trash
After selecting all the files, drag them to the Trash or use the keyboard shortcut Command + Delete to move them to the Trash.
Step 7 – Enter admin password
If asked, enter your admin password. This is usually the same password you use to log into your Mac.
Step 8 – Click “Empty Trash”
Once you’ve moved all the cache files to the Trash, click on the Trash icon on your dock and then click “Empty Trash” to permanently delete the files.
Step 9 – Repeat the same process for other cache folders
Repeat the same process for the following cache folders:
– /Library/Caches
– ~/Library/Application Support/Steam/SteamApps
– ~/Library/Safari/LocalStorage
Step 10 – Restart your Mac
After clearing all the caches, restart your Mac to ensure that all the cache files are cleared from your system.
Step 11 – Reset NVRAM/PRAM
If necessary, reset your NVRAM/PRAM. This is a small part of your Mac’s memory that stores certain settings and preferences. Here’s how to do it:
– Shut down your Mac.
– Press the Power button.
– Immediately after pressing the Power button, press and hold the Command + Option + P + R keys on your keyboard.
– Hold these keys down for 20 seconds.
– Release the keys and let your Mac start up normally.
Step 12 – Update your Mac
Lastly, make sure your Mac is up to date with the latest software updates. This can help improve your system’s performance and clear any bugs or glitches.
Explanation
Clearing your Mac’s cache files can help improve your system’s performance and speed. As time goes by, your cache files can accumulate and become outdated, causing your Mac to run slower than usual.
By following the 12 steps we’ve outlined, you can easily clear your cache files with just a few clicks. It’s important to note that clearing your cache files won’t harm your Mac or delete any important files.
Tips and Tricks
Tip 1 – Use a cache cleaner app
If you’re not too comfortable clearing your cache files manually, you can always use a cache cleaner app. These apps can help you clear your cache files with just one click.
Tip 2 – Clear your browser’s cache
It’s also important to regularly clear your browser’s cache. This can help improve your browsing speed and protect your privacy.
Tip 3 – Disable automatic cache storage
One way to reduce cache buildup is by disabling automatic cache storage. You can do this by going to your browser’s settings and disabling the option to automatically store cache files.
Tip 4 – Clear cache regularly
Make sure to clear your cache files regularly to ensure your Mac runs smoothly. Set a reminder to clear your cache files every few weeks.
Tip 5 – Use external storage
If you’re running out of storage on your Mac, consider using external storage for your cache files. This can help improve your Mac’s performance and speed.
Tip 6 – Use a high-speed internet connection
A high-speed internet connection can help reduce cache buildup by loading web pages faster. Consider upgrading your internet package for faster speeds.
Tip 7 – Avoid downloading unnecessary files
Downloading unnecessary files can contribute to cache buildup. Only download files that you need to keep your Mac running smoothly.
Tip 8 – Use cloud storage
Use cloud storage for files that you don’t need to access often. This can help reduce cache buildup and free up space on your Mac.
Tip 9 – Keep your desktop tidy
A cluttered desktop can slow down your Mac. Keep your desktop tidy by organizing your files and folders.
Tip 10 – Uninstall unused apps
Uninstalling unused apps can help free up space on your Mac and improve your system’s performance. Only download and keep the apps that you need.
That’s it – our 12 steps on how to clear caches on your Mac, along with some helpful tips and tricks. By regularly clearing your cache files and following our tips, you can ensure your Mac runs smoothly and efficiently.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Clearing Caches on Mac
Clearing caches on Mac can be an effective solution for a variety of issues such as slow performance, freezes, and crashes. However, there are also downsides to this process that users should be aware of. In this article, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of clearing caches on Mac.
Advantages
1. Improved Performance: Clearing caches can improve the performance of your Mac as it frees up space and helps your system run faster.
2. Fixing App Crashes: Cache files can sometimes get corrupted and cause crashes in certain apps. Clearing these caches can fix the issue.
3. Fixing Browser Issues: Clearing browser caches can fix issues like pages not loading properly, error messages, and slow browsing speed.
4. Privacy: Clearing caches can also help protect your privacy by deleting sensitive user data like browsing history, cookies, and temporary files.
5. Free Up Storage Space: Clearing caches can free up a considerable amount of storage space on your Mac, which can be beneficial if you’re running low on space.
6. Fresh Start: Clearing caches can give your Mac a fresh start and help fix minor issues that you may be experiencing.
7. Improving Battery Life: By clearing caches, you can improve your Mac’s battery life as it reduces the load on the system.
8. Reducing Security Risks: Clearing caches can also reduce the risk of security breaches as it eliminates any stored vulnerable data.
9. Faster Startup: Clearing caches can help you start up your Mac faster and reduce the time it takes for your applications to launch.
10. Troubleshooting Process: Clearing caches is often recommended as a troubleshooting step before seeking professional help, and it can save you money in the long run.
Disadvantages
1. Temporary Slowdown: Clearing caches can temporarily slow down your Mac as it needs to rebuild those deleted files.
2. Loss of Settings: Clearing caches can cause you to lose some of your personalized settings like saved passwords and auto-fill data.
3. Loss of User Data: If you’re not careful, clearing caches can result in unintended loss of user data like important files and documents.
4. Delayed Load Times: Clearing caches can cause apps and web pages to load slower initially as they need to reload their data from scratch.
5. Lost Time: Clearing caches can be time-consuming, and you may have to repeat the process on a regular basis to see long-term improvements.
6. Risk of Deleting Important Files: Clearing caches manually always comes with the risk of accidentally deleting important files from your system.
7. Non-Permanent Fixes: Clearing caches is not guaranteed to fix every problem you may encounter on your Mac, and the issues may return even after multiple cache clearings.
8. Potential System Glitches: Clearing caches can sometimes cause your system to experience glitches or even crash.
9. Required Knowledge: Clearing caches requires some knowledge of your Mac’s system architecture, and inexperienced users may inadvertently cause more harm than good.
10. Risk of Damaging System Files: Clearing caches improperly can result in deleting system files, causing permanent damage to your Mac.
FAQ
1. Why should I clear caches on my Mac?
Clearing caches on your Mac helps improve its performance by freeing up disk space and reducing the chance of running into software issues. It can also help with troubleshooting specific problems.
2. How often should I clear caches on my Mac?
There is no set rule for how often you should clear caches on your Mac, but it’s recommended to do it every few months or as needed if you encounter issues.
3. Will clearing caches delete any important files or data?
No, clearing caches will not delete any important files or data on your Mac. It only removes temporary files and cached data that can be safely cleared.
4. Can I choose which caches to clear?
Yes, some tools that are available for clearing caches on mac allow you to choose which types of caches you want to clear.
5. Can clearing caches fix slow performance on my Mac?
Clearing caches can sometimes help improve slow performance on your Mac, but there could be other underlying issues that need to be addressed.
6. Do I need special software to clear caches on my Mac?
No, you can clear caches manually without the use of third-party software.
7. How do I clear the cache for a specific application?
To clear the cache for a specific application, you can usually go to the application’s preferences or settings and look for an option to clear the cache.
8. How long does it take to clear caches on my Mac?
The time it takes to clear caches on your Mac depends on the amount of data that needs to be cleared. It could take a few minutes or more.
9. Will clearing caches delete my browsing history?
No, clearing caches will not delete your browsing history. Your browsing history is stored separately from your cache files.
10. Can clearing caches help fix a crashing application?
Clearing caches can sometimes help fix a crashing application, but there could be other underlying issues that need to be addressed.
11. Is it safe to clear caches on my Mac?
Yes, it is safe to clear caches on your Mac. However, it’s important to make sure you are only clearing temporary files and cached data that can be safely cleared.
12. Will clearing caches delete any saved passwords?
No, clearing caches will not delete any saved passwords. Your saved passwords are stored separately from your cache files.
13. Can I automate the process of clearing caches on my Mac?
Yes, there are some third-party tools that allow you to automate the process of clearing caches on your Mac.
How to Clear Caches on Mac
Mac or MacBook computer has its own feature to make its performance higher and faster. However, over time, the tons of caches, temporary files, and other unwanted data can accumulate in the system’s memory, making your Mac slow and leads to unwanted errors. Thus, if you’re struggling with a slow Mac, it’s time to start clearing your Mac’s caches. In this article, we will guide you through every step and detail of deleting caches on your Mac.
Conclusion and Closing
Clearing the caches on a Mac can be quite simple yet it is a big help to speed up your system. It is essential to regularly delete your Mac’s caches as it helps to keep your computer running smooth and free up space without causing any harm to your computer. We hope you find this article helpful and may it keep your Mac computer fast and healthy. We always want to hear from you, our readers, so if you have any suggestions for topics related to Mac, please let us know. Thank you for reading, until next time.