macOS SonomaSafari
Guide to Clearing Safari Cache on macOS Sonoma
Follow these 4 steps to clear Safari cache on your macOS Sonoma
Is Safari on your macOS Sonoma computer loading slowly or displaying outdated content? Clearing the browser cache is one of the fastest fixes. Your macOS Sonoma system stores temporary browser files to speed up web browsing, but over time this cache can cause problems. Follow the instructions below to clear the Safari cache on macOS Sonoma.
1
Open Safari Preferences
In the menu bar, click "Safari" then "Settings…" (or press ⌘ + ,).
SafariFileEditViewHistory
About Safari
Settings…
Extensions…
Services
2
Go to the Advanced Tab
Click the "Advanced" tab in the preferences window.
General
Tabs
AutoFill
Passwords
Search
Security
Privacy
Websites
Profiles
Advanced
Advanced settings
3
Enable Develop Menu
Check the box "Show features for web developers" at the bottom. This adds a Develop menu to the menu bar.
General
Tabs
AutoFill
Passwords
Search
Security
Privacy
Websites
Profiles
Advanced
Show features for web developers
4
Empty Caches
Close the preferences window. In the menu bar, click "Develop" then "Empty Caches".
SafariFileEditViewHistoryDevelop
Show Web Inspector
Show Page Source
Show JavaScript Console
Empty Caches
Disable Caches
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clear Safari cache on macOS Sonoma?
To clear Safari cache on macOS Sonoma, open the browser settings or use a keyboard shortcut, navigate to the clear browsing data section, select cached images and files, and click clear. Follow our step-by-step instructions above.
Will clearing Safari cache on macOS Sonoma delete my passwords?
No. Clearing the cache on your macOS Sonoma only removes temporary website files like images and scripts. Your saved passwords in Safari are stored separately and won't be affected. Just make sure you only select 'Cached images and files' and leave 'Passwords' unchecked.
How often should I clear Safari cache on my macOS Sonoma?
For most macOS Sonoma users, clearing the Safari cache every 2-4 weeks is a good routine. If you browse frequently or notice slow performance, you might want to clear it more often. There's no harm in clearing the cache — it's a safe and routine maintenance step.
Will clearing cache speed up Safari on my macOS Sonoma?
Yes, clearing the cache can often improve Safari's speed on your macOS Sonoma, especially if the cache has grown large or contains corrupted files. After clearing, the first page loads may be slightly slower as resources are re-downloaded, but overall performance usually improves.
Is it safe to clear Safari cache on macOS Sonoma?
Absolutely. Clearing the Safari cache on your macOS Sonoma is completely safe. It only removes temporary files — your bookmarks, passwords, browsing history, and personal data remain untouched. It's a routine maintenance task recommended by tech professionals.
Will I be logged out of websites after clearing Safari cache on macOS Sonoma?
If you only clear the cache (cached images and files) in Safari, you will NOT be logged out. However, if you also clear cookies and site data, you will be logged out of most websites. When clearing, only check the cache option to stay logged in.
What does Safari cache on my macOS Sonoma actually store?
The Safari cache on your macOS Sonoma stores temporary copies of website resources — images, CSS stylesheets, JavaScript files, fonts, and other web content. This allows Safari to load previously visited pages faster by using local copies instead of downloading everything again.
How much storage does Safari cache use on macOS Sonoma?
The Safari cache size on your macOS Sonoma varies based on your browsing habits, but it typically ranges from a few hundred megabytes to several gigabytes. Heavy browsing and visiting media-rich sites increases cache size. Clearing the cache is an easy way to reclaim storage space.
Can I clear Safari cache for just one website on macOS Sonoma?
In some cases, yes. On desktop versions of Safari, you can clear cache for specific sites through developer tools or site settings. On mobile, the options may be more limited. For the most reliable fix, clearing the entire Safari cache is recommended.
What's the difference between cache and cookies in Safari on macOS Sonoma?
On your macOS Sonoma, the Safari cache stores website files (images, scripts) for faster loading, while cookies store data like login sessions and preferences. Clearing cache helps fix display issues; clearing cookies logs you out of sites. These can be cleared independently.
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