Communication

Clear Slack Cache on Mac

Clear it from inside the app first: open Help, then Troubleshooting, and choose Clear Cache and Restart. The cache holds copies of workspace content, so clearing it frees space and usually fixes slow channels or missing images without removing your messages or files.

Last updated: October 31, 20262 min read

Clear the Slack cache without guessing

Slack data usually takes 500 MB – 5 GB on a Mac. The free scan shows the exact size on your Mac before you change anything.

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Free scan · No account · Nothing is deleted without your OK · Moves to the Trash first · macOS 14+

Application: Slack
Typical data size: 500 MB – 5 GB
Category: Communication
File Location: ~/Library/Application Support/Slack

Clear it from inside Slack first

The safest way is the option built into the app: Help > Troubleshooting > Clear Cache and Restart

Slack cache folders you can clear

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

~/Library/Caches/com.tinyspeck.slackmacgap Cache · app cache Yes, rebuilt automatically~/Library/Saved Application State/com.tinyspeck.slackmacgap.savedState Window state · window positions from the last session Yes, rebuilt automatically~/Library/Application Support/Slack/Cache Cache · Chromium disk cache for web content Yes, rebuilt automatically~/Library/Application Support/Slack/Code Cache Cache · compiled JavaScript cache Yes, rebuilt automatically~/Library/Application Support/Slack/GPUCache Cache · GPU shader cache Yes, rebuilt automatically~/Library/Application Support/Slack/Service Worker/CacheStorage Cache · offline caches of the Slack web client Yes, rebuilt automatically~/Library/Application Support/Slack/logs Logs · Slack app logs Yes, rebuilt automatically

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

What the Slack cache holds

Specific to Slack

Most of the local data the app keeps is a cache of workspace content, along with offline web-client files, compiled code, graphics shaders and logs. Your messages and files live on the workspace servers, and your Mac keeps only a local copy. Clearing helps when channels load slowly, images fail to appear, or the folder has grown to several gigabytes. Files you downloaded stay in your Downloads folder.

What happens after you clear the Slack cache

The cache rebuilds automatically the next time the app runs, so the first start takes longer than usual. Messages are downloaded again as you open channels, so the first few may load slowly. Window positions and settings are rebuilt too. Sign-in sessions are stored separately from the cache, so you should not need to sign in again; if a workspace asks, use your usual details.

Open Help, Troubleshooting, and choose Clear Cache and Restart while the app is open.Wait for the app to restart, then open a few channels to confirm they load.Check that files you downloaded are still in your Downloads folder.If that option is missing, quit the app before clearing its cache folders manually.

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Account and sync: Messages and files live in your Slack workspaces on Slack's servers; the Mac only keeps a local cache and sign-in sessions.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Will my unread messages disappear?

No. Messages live on the workspace servers, so they download again once the cache rebuilds.

Why is the app slow to open after clearing?

The cache is rebuilt on the first start, which takes longer than usual. Speed returns once your common channels have reloaded.