Notes & Writing
Clear Apple Notes Cache on Mac
You can free space or fix search problems in Apple Notes by clearing its caches and temporary data, but the folder holding your notes must stay untouched. The app is part of macOS and cannot be uninstalled, so only its data folders can be reset. Your notes and attachments live in the NoteStore database inside the Notes Group Container, and that is not a cache.
Clear the Apple Notes cache without guessing
Apple Notes data usually takes 200 MB – 5 GB on a Mac. The free scan shows the exact size on your Mac before you change anything.
Free scan · No account · Nothing is deleted without your OK · Moves to the Trash first · macOS 14+
OptiClear is a Mac app. Copy this page's link and open it on your Mac.
Email me the link- Application
- Apple Notes
- Typical data size
- 200 MB – 5 GB
- Category
- Notes & Writing
- File Location
~/Library/Group Containers/group.com.apple.notes
Apple Notes cache folders you can clear
These folders are rebuilt automatically, so removing them does not touch your own files.
Locations checked on a Mac with Apple Notes installed.
What the Apple Notes cache holds and when clearing it helps
Specific to Apple Notes
The app keeps its data across several folders. The Group Container holds the NoteStore database with all notes, attachments and thumbnails, which is your own data. The Containers folder holds sandboxed settings and caches, and the iCloud folder holds sync data. The import folder holds temporary data from importing notes, and that one is rebuilt automatically. Clearing helps when search is incomplete or when attachments and thumbnails take a lot of space; typical data runs 200 MB – 5 GB.
What happens after you clear the Apple Notes cache
Clearing the cache and temporary folders removes only that data; your notes stay in the NoteStore database. The import folder's contents are rebuilt automatically, so nothing there is lost. If you reset the NoteStore database instead, On My Mac notes are erased permanently, while iCloud notes download again from your Apple Account. You stay signed in to iCloud, and the app remains in place because it is part of macOS.
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- Account and sync
- Notes in iCloud sync to your Apple Account; notes in the On My Mac account exist only on this computer.
Try it without risk
- Download and scan for freeSee every Apple Notes file and its size. No account needed.
- Clean free for 7 daysStart the 7-day free trial of the yearly plan inside the app.
- Keep it or cancelCancel in your App Store settings at least 24 hours before the trial ends and you won't be charged.
After the free trial, Pro costs $39.99 per year in your country's App Store; cancel any time.