Tasks & Calendar

Clear Things 3 Cache on Mac

Clearing the Things 3 cache means removing the temporary files in the app's container folder, not your task database. Only clear it when the app is using more space than you expect or behaves oddly and a restart does not help. Your to-dos and projects stay where they are.

Last updated: October 31, 20262 min read

Clear the Things 3 cache without guessing

Things 3 data usually takes 100 MB – 1 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: Things 3
Typical data size: 100 MB – 1 GB
Category: Tasks & Calendar
File Location: ~/Library/Containers/com.culturedcode.ThingsMac

Things 3 cache folders you can clear

Things 3 has no separate cache folder. Its folders hold settings and your own data, so there is nothing to clear safely by hand.

What the Things 3 cache holds and when clearing helps

Specific to Things 3

The app container holds sandboxed app settings and caches, and its data usually takes up 100 MB – 1 GB. Your task database is stored separately in the Group Container, so the cache does not hold your own work. Clearing helps when the app is taking up unexpected space or misbehaving in a way a restart does not fix. If you have no clear reason, leave the folders alone, because the container also holds settings.

What happens after you clear the Things 3 cache

Your task database in the Group Container is not touched, so your to-dos and projects remain in place. If you use Things Cloud, your tasks stay with that account, and without it they exist only on this Mac, so confirm sync before you start. Things can be reinstalled from the same Apple Account later if you ever need to, and the one-time purchase covers it. Anything you removed by mistake can be restored from the Trash until the Trash is emptied.

If you use Things Cloud, wait until sync has finished before you start.Look for a cache-clearing option inside the app first, if it has one.Quit the app before removing anything from the container folder.Reopen the app and check that your tasks and projects are all there.

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Account and sync: Things syncs through a free Things Cloud account; without it tasks exist only on this Mac.

Try it without risk

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Keep it or cancelCancel in your App Store settings at least 24 hours before the trial ends and you won't be charged.

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After the free trial, Pro costs $39.99 per year in your country's App Store; cancel any time.

Frequently asked questions

Yes.

Can I reinstall the app if something goes wrong?

Yes, it can be reinstalled from the same Apple Account, and deleting the app does not remove your data folders. Your task database stays in place until you remove it yourself.

What if some tasks look missing after clearing?

Check the Trash first, since anything removed by mistake can be restored until the Trash is emptied. Your tasks are kept in the database, which clearing the cache does not touch.