Q&A for How to Clear the Cache on a Mac

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How do I clean up my Mac?

Gonzalo Martinez
Computer & Phone Repair Specialist
Gonzalo Martinez is the President of CleverTech, a tech repair business in San Jose, California founded in 2014. CleverTech LLC specializes in repairing Apple products. CleverTech pursues environmental responsibility by recycling aluminum, display assemblies, and the micro components on motherboards to reuse for future repairs. On average, they save 2 lbs - 3 lbs more electronic waste daily than the average computer repair store.

Gonzalo Martinez

Computer & Phone Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

Shutting down your Mac completely clears your cache. It's a good idea to completely shut down your computer routinely to make sure there aren't applications that you quit but are still taking up some RAM space.

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Question

How do I speed up a MacBook Pro?

Margaret Althea Elvenshadow

Community Answer

If you're using Google Chrome as your browser, look at the top right corner, at the end of the search bar. You should see three dots in a vertical line. Click on them. A list should pop up. Mouse over the option that says "More Tools," and click "Clear Browsing Data." If you're using Safari as your browser, look up at the Apple menu bar at the top, that has "File" and "Edit" and all that jazz. If you see an option that says "Develop," click on it. Near the bottom of the list, there is an option that says "Empty cache." Select it. If you don't see "Develop," click "Safari>Preferences>Advanced Settings>Show Develop Menu in menu bar."

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The operation Empty Trash cant be completed because the item "Cache.db" is in use. How can I solve this issue?

Community Answer

Open the Terminal app and type: sudo rm -r ~/.Trash

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Question

If I clear my Safari cache, will my computer lose all my files and information?

Community Answer

In most cases, your documents and pictures are stored in the documents folder and pictures folder in your home folder, but certain apps, store sign-ins and other information in the cache will be lost.

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I followed the steps and I get continuous set of messages saying I can't empty trash because xxxxx is in use. How do I get around this?

Community Answer

Often this is because a specific program that uses that file might be open. I would recommend shutting all apps besides Finder and trying again. If this still happens, restart your computer.

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