Developer IDEs

Clear IntelliJ IDEA Cache on Mac

To clear the IntelliJ IDEA cache, open File > Invalidate Caches inside the app and restart it. The cache holds indexes the app rebuilds on its own, so your projects and settings stay as they are.

Last updated: October 31, 20262 min read

Clear the IntelliJ IDEA cache without guessing

IntelliJ IDEA data usually takes 2 GB – 30 GB on a Mac. The free scan shows the exact size on your Mac before you change anything.

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Application: IntelliJ IDEA
Typical data size: 2 GB – 30 GB
Category: Developer IDEs
File Location: ~/Library/Caches/JetBrains

Clear it from inside IntelliJ IDEA first

The safest way is the option built into the app: File > Invalidate Caches, then restart; this clears only the current version's caches, not folders left by older releases or by other JetBrains IDEs.

IntelliJ IDEA cache folders you can clear

These folders are rebuilt automatically, so removing them does not touch your own files.

~/Library/Caches/JetBrains Cache · indexes and caches of JetBrains IDEs, one subfolder per product and version Yes, rebuilt automatically~/Library/Saved Application State/com.jetbrains.intellij.savedState Window state · window positions from the last session Yes, rebuilt automatically

Locations are the standard macOS folders IntelliJ IDEA uses; some appear only after you use the matching feature.

What the IntelliJ IDEA cache holds

Specific to IntelliJ IDEA

The cache for IntelliJ IDEA is stored in the JetBrains caches folder in your Library, with one subfolder per product and version. It holds indexes and temporary data that the app rebuilds automatically. Clearing it helps when indexing keeps running again and again, when code completion gives wrong results, or when old version folders pile up, because each IntelliJ IDEA release leaves its own versioned folder behind. Your projects stay in their own folders, and settings and plugins are kept separately, so clearing the cache does not touch them. Typical data for this app takes 2 GB – 30 GB.

What changes after you clear the IntelliJ IDEA cache

After you clear the cache and restart, the app rebuilds its indexes in the background, so the first start and the first project opening will be slower. Your projects, settings and plugins stay where they were. Window positions from the last session are rebuilt automatically. If you use Backup and Sync with your JetBrains Account, your settings can also be brought back from that account. Version folders from earlier releases are not removed by Invalidate Caches, so remove those separately if you need the space.

Save your unsaved edits before you start.Open File > Invalidate Caches while the app is running.Restart when prompted and wait for indexing to finish.Check Backup and Sync if you want settings restored from your account.

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Account and sync: Paid JetBrains IDEs are activated with a JetBrains Account; settings can also be synced to that account with Backup and Sync.

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Frequently asked questions

Yes. Folders marked “Yes, rebuilt automatically” are rebuilt automatically; removing them only makes the next start slower.

Do I need to set up my settings again?

No. Settings and plugins are kept in Application Support, so clearing the cache leaves them in place.

Why is the first start slower after clearing?

The app rebuilds its indexes from scratch while it scans your projects. The slowdown usually ends once indexing finishes.