What clearing cache does and why you might need to
When you visit websites in Safari, your Mac stores copies of images, scripts, and other files in a folder called the cache. This speeds up loading the next time you visit — Safari doesn't have to download everything again. Over time, this cache grows large and can slow things down, or cause a website to load an outdated version of a page you need to see fresh.
Clearing the cache empties this storage folder. It does not delete your passwords, bookmarks, or browsing history unless you specifically choose those options. After you clear it, websites will load slightly slower on your first visit because Safari has to download everything new, but then it caches them again for speed.
Key Takeaways
- Open Safari, click the menu bar, select History, then choose "Clear History" to open the cache-clearing window.
- In the dropdown at the top, select "all history" to clear the entire cache, or pick a specific time range like "the last hour".
- Make sure only "Cookies and website data" is checked before you click Clear History — this clears cache without removing passwords or bookmarks.
- If a website looks broken or outdated after you visit it, clearing cache for just that site often fixes the problem without clearing everything.
The fastest way to clear all your cache at once
Open Safari. In the menu bar at the top of your screen, click History. At the bottom of the dropdown menu, click Clear History. A window will appear asking what time period you want to clear.
Click the dropdown that says "the last hour" and change it to all history. This clears the entire cache, not just the last hour. Below that, you will see checkboxes. Make sure only Cookies and website data is checked. Do not check "Browsing history" unless you also want to erase the list of sites you have visited. Do not check "Download history" unless you want to erase your downloads list.
Click the blue Clear History button. The cache is now empty. This usually takes a few seconds. You can close the window and return to browsing.
Clearing cache for one website only
If one website is loading incorrectly or showing you an old version of a page, you do not need to clear your entire cache. You can clear just that site's data. Open Safari and visit the website that is giving you trouble. In the menu bar, click Safari, then Settings (or Preferences on older Macs).
Click the Privacy tab. Click Manage Website Data. A list of websites will appear. Use the search box to find the website you want to clear. Click the site name to select it, then click Remove. Close the window and refresh the website in Safari. It will now load fresh from the internet instead of from your cache.
When to clear cache and what to expect
Clear your cache if a website looks broken, shows old information, or loads very slowly. You might also clear it if you are concerned about storage space on your Mac — cache can take up several gigabytes over months of browsing. Clearing cache does not free up much space in most cases, but it can help if your Mac is running low on disk space.
After you clear cache, the first time you visit a website it will load more slowly because Safari has to download all the images and files again. Subsequent visits will be fast again as Safari rebuilds the cache. This is normal and temporary.
Clearing cache automatically on exit
If you want Safari to clear cache every time you close the browser, you can set that up. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu bar, then Settings (or Preferences). Click the Privacy tab. Look for the option that says "Remove all website data when quitting Safari" and check the box next to it.
Now every time you close Safari completely, the cache will clear automatically. This does not affect your passwords or bookmarks — only cached files and cookies are removed. If you change your mind, you can uncheck this box anytime and Safari will stop clearing cache on exit.
Troubleshooting: cache clearing did not fix the problem
If you cleared cache and a website still looks wrong, try these steps. First, make sure you actually closed and reopened Safari after clearing — sometimes the browser needs to restart to fully apply the change. Second, try clearing cache again and also check the "Browsing history" box this time, in case old history data is interfering.
If the website still does not work, the problem may not be cache. Try opening the website in a different browser like Chrome or Firefox to see if it loads correctly there. If it does, the issue is specific to Safari and you may need to contact the website's support team. If the website is broken in all browsers, the website itself may be having problems and there is nothing you can do on your end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my passwords?
No. Passwords are stored separately from cache. When you clear cache using the steps above, only "Cookies and website data" is checked, which leaves your saved passwords untouched. If you want to delete passwords, you have to do that separately in Safari Settings under the Passwords tab.
How often should I clear my cache?
Most people do not need to clear cache regularly. Clear it only when a website looks broken, loads slowly, or you need to free up storage space. If you browse heavily and want to clear automatically, use the "Remove all website data when quitting Safari" option in Privacy settings so it happens without you thinking about it.
What is the difference between cache and cookies?
Cache stores images, scripts, and files to speed up loading. Cookies store small pieces of information like login sessions and preferences. When you clear "Cookies and website data" in Safari, you are clearing both. Clearing cookies will log you out of websites, but clearing cache alone will not.
Does clearing cache speed up my Mac?
Clearing cache frees up a small amount of storage space, but it does not noticeably speed up your Mac's performance. If your Mac is running slowly, the problem is usually something else — too many browser tabs open, a full hard drive, or background apps using CPU. Clearing cache is worth trying if a website loads slowly, but it will not fix general Mac slowness.
Can I clear cache without closing Safari?
Yes. You can clear cache while Safari is open using the History menu. You do not need to close and reopen the browser. However, if you want the change to take effect immediately on the current page, refresh the website after clearing by pressing Command-R.