How to Clear Adobe Cache on Mac [Work for All Products]

Adobe software stores frequently used data in cache files to speed up project and asset loading. Over time, these files can pile up, taking up valuable space on your Mac. In some cases, old or corrupted cache files can even slow down your Adobe apps or your Mac.

Clearing out these unnecessary cached data can free up space and improve performance. Not sure where to start? Don’t worry! This guide will show you how to easily clear Adobe cache on your Mac, either manually through the Library folder or automatically using a Mac cleaner app.

Let's get started.

Why Does Adobe Create So Much Cache?

Adobe is infamous for consuming significant space on your hard drive. Beyond its sizable installation files, the cache it generates can be massive.

Every time you import videos, audio, images, or other media into Adobe software, it creates processed versions of these files for quicker access and improved performance. These are called media cache files and are stored in the Media Cache Files folder. Since Adobe users often work with large media files, the cache database can quickly grow to substantial sizes.

Can I Delete Adobe Cache Files on Mac?

Yes, you can safely delete old or unused Adobe cache files on your Mac, including media cache files. These temporary files are designed to improve the performance of Adobe applications, so deleting them won’t affect your projects or software.

The cache will automatically regenerate the next time you open a project in Adobe software. However, you may experience slower previews, media cache database processing, and temporary renders initially.

How to Clear Adobe Cache on Mac - 2 Ways

Deleting cache files can free up disk space and resolve performance issues caused by outdated or corrupted data. Many Adobe apps offer built-in cache-clearing options, making it easy to manage.

For example, you can clear the Adobe Premiere cache on your Mac using the app's built-in settings.

1. Quit the Adobe Premiere Pro on your Mac if it is running.
2. Press and hold the Command key while Premiere Pro launches to activate the reset option.
3. When the Reset options dialogue opens, select Clear media cache files.

   

4. Click the Continue button and Adobe Premiere Pro launches.

However, the built-in cache-clearing options vary across different Adobe programs. Alternatively, you can manually clear the cache through the library folder or use a Mac cache removal tool, saving you the time of searching for specific settings.

Way 1. Delete Adobe cache files from the Mac Library

Adobe stores cache files in several locations on your Mac. You can easily locate and delete these files to clear up existing cache, including the application support Adobe cache and Adobe cache in the Caches folder. Here is the walkthrough:

Step 1. Open the Finder app on your Mac.

Step 2. Click the Go menu at the top of your screen and choose Library.

Step 3. Open the Application Support folder.

Step 4. Open the Adobe folder and then the Common folder.

Step 5. Delete the Media Cache folder.

Step 6. Delete the Media Cache Files folder.

Step 7. Go back to the Library and choose the Caches folder.

Step 8. Open the Adobe folder.

Step 9. Open the Adobe product folder where you want to delete the cache.

Step 10. Delete any Disk Cache folders in the list.

Step 11. Empty the Trash and restart your Adobe app.

Way 2. Remove Adobe cache on Mac with BuhoCleaner

If you find it challenging to navigate to these folders and manually delete Adobe cache, BuhoCleaner can make the process effortless. It automatically identifies Adobe cache files from After Effects, Premiere Pro, Illustrator, PhotoShop, etc., and removes them with a single click.

In addition to the cache-clearing feature, BuhoCleaner is a complete Mac cleanup toolbox designed to help you free up space and optimize your system. It can help you regain a lot of free space on your Mac hard drive by removing junk files, unused apps, forgotten large files, and unnecessary duplicates.

Here is the step-by-step guide to clearing Adobe cache on Mac with BuhoCleaner:

Step 1. Download BuhoCleaner on your Mac and follow the installation instructions.

Step 2. Open the app and select the Flash Clean option from the left-side menu.

Step 3. Click Scan, and BuhoCleaner will immediately begin scanning your Mac for old and unnecessary files.

Step 4. Once the scan is complete, click View Details to see all the junk files detected.

Step 5. Open the User Cache Files category and use the search bar in the top-right corner to type "Adobe" and locate Adobe cache files specifically.

Step 6. Check the box next to the Adobe software whose cache you want to clear.

Step 7. Click Remove, then confirm by clicking Remove on the pop-up. BuhoCleaner will delete all Adobe cache files in seconds.

Step 8. Relaunch your Adobe application for a fresh start.

Bonus Tip: Reduce the Default Adobe Cache Size

Did you know Adobe programs have a default cache size that automatically deletes the oldest cache files once the limit is reached? You can reduce this limit to prevent it from taking up too much space on your Mac.

Here is how:

Step 1. Open the Adobe program's settings.

Step 2. Choose Media & Disk Cache.

Step 3. In the Maximum Disk Cache Size section, adjust it to a smaller number.

Conclusion

Adobe cache can build up, especially when you import resources into the software. Regularly clearing the cache in Adobe apps offers several benefits, such as freeing up storage space on your Mac, resolving Adobe performance issues, and boosting overall Mac performance.

We recommend using BuhoCleaner to delete Adobe cache files on your Mac. It can automatically locate all cache files from Adobe applications and remove them in seconds, saving you the hassle of manually navigating to file locations or app settings.