How to clear Safari cache on Mac
You can clear Safari cache on Mac without losing your history, passwords or website sign-ins: the cache holds only copies of pages, images and scripts Safari keeps to open sites faster. It helps when a site shows an old version of a page or breaks after an update, and when you need space. This guide also shows how to remove one site’s data and how that differs from clearing history.
- Open MacWashing and choose System Junk in the sidebar.
- Click Start Scan.
- Look through what it found and click Clean. Anything debatable stays unchecked.
Free trial · macOS 14 or later
What is Safari’s cache and is it safe to clear?
Safari saves parts of the sites you visit so they open faster next time. Clearing them is safe: Safari downloads what it needs again, so sites load a little slower the first time.
It helps when a site shows an old version of a page, doesn’t load properly after an update, or when you need space right now.
How to clear Safari cache on Mac
- In Safari, choose Safari › Settings and click Advanced.
- Turn on Show features for web developers. The Develop menu appears in the menu bar.
- Close the Settings window and choose Develop › Empty Caches (Option-Command-E).
- Reload the pages you have open.
Empty Caches removes cached files only. Your history, bookmarks, passwords, open tabs and cookies stay, so you remain signed in to websites. You can leave the Develop menu on or turn it off again in the same place.
Clear cache and cookies for one site
When only one site misbehaves, remove just its data. This deletes the site’s cookies too, so you’re signed out of it:
- Choose Safari › Settings and click Privacy.
- Click Manage Website Data. The list shows every site that keeps cookies and other data on your Mac.
- Type the site’s name in the search field, select it and click Remove.
Remove All does the same for every site at once: you’re signed out everywhere and sites forget their settings. Apple warns that this can also change or remove cookies and website data in other apps.
Does clearing history clear the cache?
History › Clear History is a different tool. It removes the list of pages you visited, recent searches, page icons and snapshots, and the list of downloads (the downloaded files stay). If Safari syncs through iCloud, the history also disappears from your other Apple devices. To free space, use Empty Caches. For history, see how to clear history on Mac.
With MacWashing, it’s one click
System Junk in MacWashing clears Safari’s cache together with the caches of your other apps, in one go. Your Safari history and passwords stay as they are.
Free trial · macOS 14 or later
Questions and answers
Will MacWashing delete my own files when it cleans?
No. It removes only what it can match to a known app or a known kind of junk, in places apps leave files; macOS and Apple’s files are never touched. Anything debatable is marked and stays unchecked until you decide.
What about apps that are open?
If an open app holds files being cleaned, MacWashing waits for it to quit or quits it at your request, and opens it again afterwards.
Is it free?
Yes, within the free trial: System Junk and the Uninstaller free up to 25 GB in total, with no account or card needed.
Will I be signed out if I clear Safari cache on Mac?
Not with Develop › Empty Caches: it keeps cookies, so you stay signed in. Removing website data in Safari › Settings › Privacy does sign you out of those sites.
Why can’t I find Empty Caches in Safari?
The Develop menu is hidden until you turn on Show features for web developers in Safari › Settings › Advanced.
Why does Safari’s cache grow back?
Safari saves parts of every site you open, so the cache refills as you browse. That’s normal. Clear it when a site misbehaves or when you need space.