How to Clear Chrome Cache on Mac: Quick and Easy Methods

Jerome Peng
Last updated: Dec 17, 2024

Is your Chrome running slow or acting weird on your Mac? Clearing the cache might help. This guide provides various methods to get it done. Simply choose the one that suits you best.

Browsing the internet can leave behind a trail of cached data that takes up valuable space on your MacBook. Clearing your Google Chrome cache is an essential maintenance task that can help improve your browser's performance, free up storage, and resolve various browsing issues. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through multiple methods to clear the Chrome cache on your Mac, ensuring you have all the tools you need to keep your browser running smoothly.

How to Clear Google Chrome Cache on Mac: 5 Quick Methods

Why Should You Clear the Chrome Cache on Your Mac?

Before diving into the methods, let's understand why clearing Chrome cache is important:

  • Improved Performance: Cached data can slow down your browser over time.
  • Troubleshooting: Resolves loading issues and website display problems.
  • Privacy: Removes stored website data and temporary internet files.
  • Storage Management: Frees up valuable space on your Mac.

Now that you understand the importance of clearing the Google Chrome cache, let's explore how.

Method 1: Clear Chrome Cache on Mac Using Browser Settings

The most straightforward way to clear the Google Chrome cache on your Mac is through the browser's built-in settings:

  1. Open Google Chrome on your Mac or MacBook.
  2. Click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select “Delete Browsing Data".
  3. In the pop-up window, choose the time range you want (recommend "All time" for a complete clear), select "Cached images and files", and click "Clear data".
Clear Chrome Cache on Mac Using Browser Settings
Tip
If you want to clear your cookies and browsing history in Chrome, make sure to check the "Browsing history" and "Cookies and other site data" boxes.

Method 2: Clear Chrome Cache on Mac Using Keyboard Shortcut

For Mac users who love efficiency, there's a keyboard shortcut to clear your Chrome cache quickly:

  1. Press Command + Shift + Delete.
  2. Confirm the cache clearing by clicking "Clear data".

This shortcut is the fastest way to empty the Chrome cache on your Mac, saving you time and clicks.

Method 3: Automatically Clear Chrome Cache on Mac via BuhoCleaner

Another easy way to clear your Chrome cache is by using BuhoCleaner, a professional Mac cleaning tool. It's designed to keep your Mac running smoothly and quickly. BuhoCleaner can remove caches from multiple browsers like Chrome, Safari, and Firefox, and it can even uninstall unwanted apps completely.

DownloadFor macOS 10.10 and above
100,000+ Satisfied Users Worldwide

Here's how to use BuhoCleaner to clear Chrome's cache on your Mac:

  1. Download and install BuhoCleaner.
  2. Open the app and click the Scan button.
  3. After the scan finishes, click "View Details" > "Browser Cache".
    BuhoCleaner Scan Results
  4. Check the box for Google Chrome and click the "Remove" button.
    Automatically Clear Chrome Cache on Mac via BuhoCleaner

BuhoCleaner offers more than just cache cleaning. Explore its other features like App Uninstall, Duplicates, and Large Files to free up even more space on your Mac.

Method 4: Delete Chrome Cache on Mac Using Terminal

For more tech-savvy users, the Terminal method provides a powerful way to clear Chrome cache:

  1. Open Terminal (found in Applications > Utilities)
  2. Enter the following command: rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/Google/Chrome/Default/Cache/*
  3. Press Enter and enter your Mac's administrator password.
Delete Chrome Cache on Mac via Terminal
Note
Be careful with Terminal commands and ensure you understand what you're doing before executing them.

Method 5: Reset Chrome Cache and Data on Mac Using Finder

If you're experiencing persistent browser issues, a complete cache reset might be necessary:

  1. Quit Google Chrome completely.
  2. Open Finder.
  3. Press Shift + Command + G to open the Go to Folder window.
  4. Paste ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome into the blank box and press "Return".
  5. Locate the "Default" folder.
    Manually Reset Chrome Cache and Data on Mac
  6. Move the following files to the Trash:
    • Cache
    • Cookies
    • Web Data
Note
This method will remove all saved passwords and site data, so proceed with care.

Conclusion

Clearing your Google Chrome cache on Mac is a simple yet crucial maintenance task. Whether you prefer browser settings, keyboard shortcuts, the cache cleaner BuhoCleaner, Terminal commands, or Finder, you have multiple methods to keep your browsing experience smooth and efficient.

Jerome is a passionate enthusiast of all things Apple. He is expertise in crafting tech-related articles, with a portfolio of more than 100 articles covering various Apple products like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.