How to clear your Mac cache (and fix slow performance for good)

3 hours ago 4

What is cache connected my Mac?

Cache is impermanent information your Mac stores to velocity up browsing and app performance. Safari mightiness prevention images and scripts truthful pages load fast, portion Chrome tin support cached copies of tract assets, and your favourite apps store logs and workspace files. 

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Over time, cache information tin go outdated oregon corrupted, slowing down your Mac. Clearing cache volition region these impermanent files -- not your bookmarks, messages, photos, documents, oregon passwords -- and tin springiness you a large show boost.

Is cache the aforesaid arsenic cookies?

No. They're different.

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Cache information is locally saved files (images, scripts, and thumbnails) that assistance webpages and apps load faster, portion cookies store tiny bits of idiosyncratic data, similar your preferences and buying carts. Clearing cache removes impermanent files stored connected your Mac, but clearing cookies volition log you retired of sites, services, and apps. Your passwords and bookmarks volition inactive beryllium disposable to use.

How often should I wide the cache connected my Mac?

Here's my routine, which I recommend:

  • Browser cache: erstwhile a month, oregon erstwhile pages enactment dilatory oregon glitchy.
  • App caches: each fewer months, particularly for video oregon photograph editors oregon ample apps.
  • System restart: each day, ideally, oregon each week astatine the precise least.
  • When retention is low: usage System Settings > General > Storage to region unwanted apps and trim clutter.

Can I wide cache successful different browsers oregon apps connected Mac?

Yes. For example, successful Firefox, you tin spell to Settings > Privacy and Security and click Clear Data nether Cookies and Site Data. In Microsoft Edge, unfastened the three-dot menu, spell to Settings > Privacy, search, and services, and prime Choose what to wide nether Clear browsing data. Other apps whitethorn vary, truthful look for a "clear cache" setting, oregon delete cache files manually successful ~/Library/Caches.

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But I'd debar the manual way if you're inexperienced. You decidedly shouldn't interaction thing if you're unsure.

Should I usage cleaner apps to wide cache connected my Mac?

Honestly? No. You tin usage the steps supra to wide your cache and debar installing janky third-party bundle that mightiness accidentally delete important files. If you bash privation to usage a cleaner app, conscionable marque definite it's reputable and transparent astir what it's deleting.

How to cheque your Mac's retention

You tin spot app sizes, strategy data, and recommendations close successful Settings:

  1. Go to System Settings.
  2. Click General.
  3. Select Storage.
  4. Wait for the breakdown to appear.
  5. Select Applications to presumption your installed apps by size.

What is DNS cache connected my Mac and however bash I wide it?

A DNS cache connected your Mac is simply a tiny database of website lookups your machine saves locally truthful that pages volition load faster the adjacent clip you sojourn them. However, things happen. For example, if a tract changes servers, your web settings go corrupted, oregon thing tries to redirect you incorrectly, aged DNS entries tin origin pages to load slowly, load the incorrect content, oregon not load astatine all.

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In those instances, clearing your DNS cache is simply a speedy hole to each these problems. And with MacOS 26, it's casual to do. 

Just unfastened the Terminal app, and type:

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache;sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Now property Enter. 

The DNS cache volition beryllium wiped instantly, forcing your strategy to fetch new, close accusation the adjacent clip you browse.

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