OptiClear

Can I delete ~/Library/Caches on Mac?

Yes — safe to remove

Nothing here is the only copy. macOS puts it back on its own.

Last updated: 2 min read

Space you get back
2 GB – 50 GB
Comes back by itself
The next time you open each app
What you actually lose
One slower launch per app
File Location
~/Library/Caches

The right way to clear it

  1. Quit the app completely (⌘+Q in the menu bar).
  2. Open Finder and press ⌘+Shift+G to open "Go to Folder".
  3. Paste this path and press Enter:
    ~/Library/Caches
  4. Select the files you no longer need and move them to Trash. Empty Trash to reclaim the space.

Full guide: ~/Library/Caches →

See it working

OptiClear — Scan overview — every category on one screen
Scan overview — every category on one screen
OptiClear — Large and aging files, ranked by what they cost you
Large and aging files, ranked by what they cost you
OptiClear — Developer caches: Xcode, npm, Docker, package managers
Developer caches: Xcode, npm, Docker, package managers

Let OptiClear find these files

Doing this by hand is slow and easy to get wrong. OptiClear scans your Mac, lists every related file with its size, and moves only what you select to the Trash, so you can still restore it. Scanning is free; cleaning requires OptiClear Pro.

View on the Mac App Store How OptiClear works

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to delete ~/Library/Caches?
Yes, once the apps using it are quit. It holds derived data, not originals, so macOS rebuilds whatever it still needs.
Why is ~/Library/Caches so large?
It grows with use and macOS puts no ceiling on it. 2 GB – 50 GB is normal on a Mac that has been in service a while — the detail guide breaks down what fills it.

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