Clear the Cache in a Mac OS X

If Safari is running a bit sluggish, then you may need to clear the cache. This file stores a lot of information about your browsing history, and large cache files can slow down performance and take up space. Follow this guide to clear your cache completely.

Steps

Delete the Cache in Safari

  1. Understand what the cache is. As you browse the web, Safari stores information from webpages such as text and pictures to speed up loading when you visit the site again. A large cache file can take up valuable storage space, and can be a privacy concern.
    • When you delete the cache, webpages you visit often will load slower the first time you visit them again.
  2. Enable the Develop menu. With Safari open, click the Safari menu. Select Preferences. In the Preferences window, click on the Advanced tab. Check the box for “Show Develop menu in menu bar”.
  3. Delete the cache. Click the Develop menu select Empty Caches. This will delete your cache but retain your browser history and saved passwords.
  4. Delete all browsing history, including cache. To wipe all of your browsing history and cache from Safari. Click the Safari menu and select Reset Safari. Select all of the browsing data that you want to delete, such as history, saved password, auto fill entries and more. If you select Clear History, your cache will be deleted as well.

Manually Delete the Cache File

  1. Understand why this is necessary. Some users have reported that clearing the cache from within the browser does not delete all of the cache contents. Some of the cache still remains stored on your computer. If you want to completely clear your cache, you will need to manually delete this file.
  2. Open your hidden Library files. The cache file is hidden by Mac OS X, so you will need to access it with special commands. Open the Finder so that the Finder menu is active at the top of your screen. Hold down the Option key and click the Go menu. In the dropdown menu, click the Library folder.
  3. Navigate to the cache file. In the library folder, open the Cache folder. In the Cache folder, open the “com.apple.Safari” folder. Look for the file named “cache.db”. Drag this file to your Trash Can. This will completely delete your browser’s cache.
    • Safari will create a new cache.db file automatically when you open a new webpage.



Tips

  • Do this often to keep Safari running smoothly.

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