How to Clear Final Cut Pro Cache to Free Up Mac Space

Final Cut Pro is a powerful video editing tool for Mac, but it can quickly consume a lot of storage space on your Mac due to the cache files it generates. If you've noticed that your Mac is running low on storage, clearing the Final Cut Pro cache can be a simple way to free up space.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what Final Cut Pro cache files are, where they’re stored, and more importantly, how to clear them to free up more space on your Mac. Let's get started.

What Are Final Cut Pro Cache Files?

Final Cut Pro cache files include render files, optimized media, proxy media, and analysis files that the software generates to make your video editing smoother.

These cache files help speed up editing but can quickly take up tens or even hundreds of gigabytes of space on your Mac. If you're wondering whether you can delete the Final Cut Pro cache and what happens if you delete the render files in Final Cut Pro, keep reading.

Can You Delete Final Cut Pro Cache?

Yes, you can delete the Final Cut Pro cache without affecting the original media or your edited project. The software will re-render the necessary files as needed when you play back your project or export it. This means that while deleting the cache may temporarily increase rendering times, it won’t harm your project files.

By default, Final Cut Pro’s cache files are stored within the Final Cut Pro library, which is typically found in the Movies folder in Finder.

How to Quickly Clear Final Cut Pro Cache on Mac

If you prefer a quick way to find and delete Final Cut Pro cache on your Mac, BuhoCleaner is your ideal choice. This cleanup tool is designed to remove unnecessary files from your Mac, including caches for the system, browsers, and applications like Final Cut Pro, iMovie, and Adobe software.

Here's how to use BuhoCleaner to clear Final Cut Pro cache:

1. Download, install, and launch BuhoCleaner on your Mac.
2. Click the "Scan" button, wait for the scanning process to finish, and click the "View Details" button.

   

3. Click "User Cache Files", locate Final Cut Pro, select the cache files you want to delete, and click the "Remove" button.

   

How to Manually Delete Final Cut Pro Cache Files

For those who want more control over the cache files, you can manually locate and delete them.

Here are the steps:

1. Open Finder, then click on the Movies folder in Finder's sidebar. If you don't see it, click the Finder menu > Settings > Sidebar, then check Movies.
2. Locate the Final Cut Pro Library that contains your project.

   

3. Right-click on it and select "Show Package Contents".
4. Look for folders like Rednder Files, Optimized Media, or Proxy Media, then delete the files you don't need.

   

More Tips to Free Up Space in Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro can take up hundreds of GB of space on your Mac. To make it smaller on your Mac, follow the steps below:

1. Delete old libraries and projects.
2. Save your Final Cut Pro libraries to an external drive.
3. Optimize media settings for Final Cut Pro.
4. Clear Final Cut Pro cache regularly using BuhoCleaner, the best Mac cleaner.

Final Words

Final Cut Pro cache files are safe to delete, and removing them can free up significant storage space on your Mac. You can clear these files automatically using BuhoCleaner or do it manually through Finder. If you’re concerned about accidentally deleting important files, we recommend using BuhoCleaner for a safer process.

BuhoCleaner is an excellent tool for keeping your Mac clean and running smoothly. Even if your Mac isn’t running out of storage space, it’s always a good idea to use BuhoCleaner for regular maintenance and cleanup.