Are websites loading slowly or not operating properly on your MacBook? Is your machine sluggish when it tries to loadanything? Are those Facebook ads getting a bit too creepy? It’s probably time to delete your cache files.
Wiping your cache and deleting cookies is a great way to improve performance in even thebest web browsersand clear some space on your hard drive. Wiping browser data is pretty simple, but deleting cache for apps and the system itself is a bit more involved.
Below is everything you need to know to delete cache and cookies onMacOS.
What is cache?
Before we dive into it, you may be wondering what cache is exactly. Cache is temporary data your Mac saves from websites and applications to help them load faster. Saving cache files is mostly a good thing because it improves the overall experience of the browser and the application. However, while your computer will save cache automatically, you will have to manually delete it in most cases.
What about cookies? Cookies are certainly similar to cache, but the big difference is in their function. While cache files are commonly loaded assets, cookies specifically relate to user choices. Cookies consist of your login info for other sites and your browsing history. This is one of the typical pieces of information digital advertisers use to target you for ads.
In this guide, we will focus on how to clear your cache on your Mac. To delete cookies, you can readour guide on deleting cookies.
How to delete browser cache on your Mac
Deleting browser cacheand cookie files is pretty straightforward. Here’s how to do it.
Clearing cache in Safari
Step 1:Open Safari and selectPreferences.
Step 2:Go to the far right of the new window and selectAdvanced. At the bottom of the window, check the box that saysShow Develop Menu in the Menu Bar.
Step 3:A new option should appear at the top of your screen calledDevelop. Click it, scroll down, and selectEmpty Cache.At this point, you can turn off the Develop menu or leave it on for future use.
Google Chrome
Google Chrome is more straightforward for deleting cache. Just follow these steps:
Step 1:Open Chrome and click theThree-DotIconin the top-right corner.
Step 2:Scroll down and hover your mouse overMore Tools. A sub-menu will appear — clickClear Browsing Data.
Step 3:A new window will open where you’re able to toggle the time frame and decide to delete browsing history, cookies, and cache files. Adjust this accordingly and hitClear Data.
Mozilla Firefox
Step 1:In the menu bar, selectFirefox, then scroll down and clickPreferences.
Step 2:On the left-hand side, selectPrivacy & Securityand scroll down until you seeCookies and Site Data.
Step 3:SelectClear Dataon the right side, ensure theCached Web Contentbox is checked, and hitClear.
Microsoft Edge
Step 1:Open Edge and hit theThree-Dot Buttonin the top-right corner.
Step 2:Scroll down, selectSettings, and a new screen will appear. On the left, you should seePrivacy, Search, and Services. Click it.
Step 3:Scroll down until you seeClear Browsing Dataand then hit theChoose What to Clearbutton on the right.
Step 4:Choose which items to delete and hit theClear Nowbutton.
And that’s how you clear cache on all the major browsers for Safari. It’s a relatively simple process across the board, and doing this on occasion can greatly improve load times for your computer.
If you still feel like your computer is underperforming, there may beanother issue to fixor it may be time to finallybuy a new Mac.
