[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":55},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-en-clear-browser-cache-mac":3},{"meta":4,"html":14,"headings":15,"raw":54},{"title":5,"description":6,"topic":7,"date":8,"author":9,"icons":10},"Clear Chrome, Safari, Edge and Arc Cache Without Losing Passwords or Bookmarks","Cache, cookies, passwords and bookmarks are stored separately. Clear only the cache to free space and stay signed in. Steps for four browsers and WashBear.","app-cache-cleanup","2026-10-29","WashBear Team",[11,12,13],"globe","privacy","scrub-brush","\u003Cp>A browser cache holds copies of the images, scripts and stylesheets from pages you've visited, plus graphics and code caches the browser builds to display pages faster. The next time you open the same site, less has to be downloaded. Over time, a few browsers together can easily take up several gigabytes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many people hold off on clearing it because they're afraid of losing passwords, bookmarks and sign-ins along the way. Those are stored separately, though. As long as you select only the cache, none of them are affected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"what-is-what\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#what-is-what\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>Cache, cookies, passwords and bookmarks\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cdiv class=\"table-wrap\">\u003Ctable>\u003Cthead>\u003Ctr>\u003Cth>Data\u003C\u002Fth>\u003Cth>What it holds\u003C\u002Fth>\u003Cth>After clearing\u003C\u002Fth>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003C\u002Fthead>\u003Ctbody>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Cache\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Copies of images, scripts and stylesheets; graphics and code caches\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Pages load a little slower the first time, then the cache rebuilds\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Cookies and site data\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Sign-in state, site preferences, shopping carts\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Most sites ask you to sign in again\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Browsing history\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Addresses you've visited\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>History and address bar suggestions disappear; with sync on, other devices may be affected too\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Saved passwords and autofill\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Account passwords, addresses, form data\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>You have to enter them again; they can't be recovered\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Bookmarks\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Sites you've saved\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Not among the clear-data options, so clearing the cache leaves them alone\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003C\u002Ftbody>\u003C\u002Ftable>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cp>If you want space back without signing in again, select only the cache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"chrome\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#chrome\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>Chrome\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Col>\n\u003Cli>Click the More icon (three dots) in the upper-right corner and choose Delete browsing data.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Pick a time range. To clear everything, choose All time.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Select only Cached images and files, and deselect Browsing history, Cookies and other site data and everything else.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Click Delete data.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.google.com\u002Fchrome\u002Fanswer\u002F2392709?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Google's help article\u003C\u002Fa> notes that after you delete cookies, you'll usually have to sign in to sites again, and that saved passwords are managed separately in Google Password Manager.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"safari\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#safari\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>Safari\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Safari doesn't show a ready-made "clear cache" button, so turn on the developer features first:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Col>\n\u003Cli>Choose Safari > Settings, then click Advanced.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Select "Show features for web developers", then close the settings window.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>From the Develop menu in the menu bar, choose Empty Caches.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\u003Cp>That empties the cache and nothing else. Two other options are easy to confuse with it. History > Clear History removes your browsing history, frequently visited sites, recent searches and similar records, and if Safari uses iCloud, it removes that history from your other Apple devices too. Manage Website Data in Settings > Privacy removes cookies and website data, which can sign you out of sites. Safari's saved passwords live in your keychain, and none of these actions delete them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"edge\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#edge\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>Edge\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Col>\n\u003Cli>Click Settings and more in the upper-right corner, choose Settings, then go to Privacy, search, and services.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear next to Clear browsing data now.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Choose a Time range, select only Cached images and files, and deselect Cookies and other site data, Passwords, Autofill form data (includes forms and cards) and anything else.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Click Clear now.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"arc\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#arc\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>Arc\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Arc is built on Chromium, and the option lives in its settings: choose Arc > Settings, open Profiles, pick the profile to clean and click Clear Browsing Data. Choose a time range, select only Cached images and files, then confirm. If you use more than one profile, repeat this for each.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cdiv class=\"callout callout-note\">\u003Cp class=\"callout-title\">Note\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The Browser Company has announced that Arc for desktop will only remain available until December 22, 2026. If you plan to switch, export your bookmarks and move your saved passwords first. Once you're sure you no longer need Arc, \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fdocs\u002Fapp-uninstall\">App Uninstaller\u003C\u002Fa> can remove it along with the data it leaves behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003Ch2 id=\"washbear\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#washbear\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>Clear browser caches with WashBear\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>WashBear can clear browser caches in two places, and neither deletes bookmarks. Files are deleted directly rather than moved to the Trash, and each cleanup is recorded in \u003Cstrong>Operation History\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"deep-clean\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#deep-clean\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>Deep Cleanup: cache only\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003C!--demo:deepClean-->\u003Cp>Open \u003Cstrong>Deep Cleanup\u003C\u002Fstrong> and click \u003Cstrong>Start Scan\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Under \u003Cstrong>Browser data\u003C\u002Fstrong>, you'll see items such as \u003Cstrong>Chrome cache\u003C\u002Fstrong>, \u003Cstrong>Edge cache\u003C\u002Fstrong>, \u003Cstrong>Arc cache\u003C\u002Fstrong> and \u003Cstrong>Firefox cache\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Each one states that passwords, cookies, history, extensions and bookmarks are kept, and \u003Cstrong>Arc cache\u003C\u002Fstrong> keeps your Spaces too. \u003Cstrong>Chrome offline cache\u003C\u002Fstrong> and \u003Cstrong>Edge offline cache\u003C\u002Fstrong> hold website data saved for faster or offline use. They also keep passwords, history and bookmarks, though some sites may download their offline content again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These items need the browser closed first. Select it under \u003Cstrong>Close running apps (optional)\u003C\u002Fstrong> in \u003Cstrong>Confirm cleanup\u003C\u002Fstrong> and WashBear closes it for you; save anything you're typing into a web page first. Safari's cache isn't listed here. Use Privacy Cleanup for it, as described next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"privacy-cleanup\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#privacy-cleanup\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>Privacy Cleanup: cache plus browsing history\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003C!--demo:privacy-->\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Privacy Cleanup\u003C\u002Fstrong> supports Safari, Chrome, Edge, Firefox and other browsers, with results grouped by browser and profile. After a scan, \u003Cstrong>Smart recommendation\u003C\u002Fstrong> preselects lower-impact items such as browsing history, download history and \u003Cstrong>Browser cache\u003C\u002Fstrong>. \u003Cstrong>Cookies and sign-in state\u003C\u002Fstrong>, \u003Cstrong>Site storage\u003C\u002Fstrong>, \u003Cstrong>Saved passwords\u003C\u002Fstrong> and \u003Cstrong>Autofill data\u003C\u002Fstrong> are never selected automatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Cache only\u003C\u002Fstrong>: set \u003Cstrong>Selection\u003C\u002Fstrong> at the bottom to \u003Cstrong>Select none\u003C\u002Fstrong>, then select \u003Cstrong>Browser cache\u003C\u002Fstrong> for each browser. Choose \u003Cstrong>All time\u003C\u002Fstrong> as the time range to free the most space.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Keep the tabs you had open\u003C\u002Fstrong>: deselect \u003Cstrong>Browser sessions\u003C\u002Fstrong>, or the browser can't restore your previous windows the next time it starts.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Safari shows Access limited\u003C\u002Fstrong>: Safari's data is protected by macOS, so WashBear needs Full Disk Access. See \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fdocs\u002Fgetting-started#permissions\">Getting Started\u003C\u002Fa> for how to turn it on.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Cookies or passwords selected\u003C\u002Fstrong>: before you can confirm, you must tick \u003Cstrong>I understand that selected items may sign out accounts or permanently delete personal data\u003C\u002Fstrong>. This step doesn't appear when you clear only the cache.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"faq\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#faq\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>FAQ\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"sign-in\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#sign-in\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>Will I have to sign in again after clearing the cache?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>No. Sign-in state is kept in cookies, and clearing only the cache doesn't touch them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"sync\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#sync\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>Does clearing affect other devices if sync is on?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>The cache exists only on this Mac and doesn't sync. Browsing history is different: clearing history in Safari also removes it from your other devices that use iCloud for Safari, and when WashBear clears browsing history, some of those changes may sync to your other devices as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"slower\">\u003Ca class=\"heading-anchor\" href=\"#slower\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">#\u003C\u002Fa>Why do pages load slower right after clearing?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>That's expected. Without a cache, a site's images and scripts have to be downloaded again the first time you open it, and things speed up afterward. For more about caches in general, see \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fclear-cache-on-mac\">How to clear cache on Mac\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",[16,20,23,26,29,32,35,39,42,45,48,51],{"depth":17,"id":18,"text":19},2,"what-is-what","Cache, cookies, passwords and bookmarks",{"depth":17,"id":21,"text":22},"chrome","Chrome",{"depth":17,"id":24,"text":25},"safari","Safari",{"depth":17,"id":27,"text":28},"edge","Edge",{"depth":17,"id":30,"text":31},"arc","Arc",{"depth":17,"id":33,"text":34},"washbear","Clear browser caches with WashBear",{"depth":36,"id":37,"text":38},3,"deep-clean","Deep Cleanup: cache only",{"depth":36,"id":40,"text":41},"privacy-cleanup","Privacy Cleanup: cache plus browsing history",{"depth":17,"id":43,"text":44},"faq","FAQ",{"depth":36,"id":46,"text":47},"sign-in","Will I have to sign in again after clearing the cache?",{"depth":36,"id":49,"text":50},"sync","Does clearing affect other devices if sync is on?",{"depth":36,"id":52,"text":53},"slower","Why do pages load slower right after clearing?","\nA browser cache holds copies of the images, scripts and stylesheets from pages you've visited, plus graphics and code caches the browser builds to display pages faster. The next time you open the same site, less has to be downloaded. Over time, a few browsers together can easily take up several gigabytes.\n\nMany people hold off on clearing it because they're afraid of losing passwords, bookmarks and sign-ins along the way. Those are stored separately, though. As long as you select only the cache, none of them are affected.\n\n## Cache, cookies, passwords and bookmarks {#what-is-what}\n\n| Data | What it holds | After clearing |\n|---|---|---|\n| Cache | Copies of images, scripts and stylesheets; graphics and code caches | Pages load a little slower the first time, then the cache rebuilds |\n| Cookies and site data | Sign-in state, site preferences, shopping carts | Most sites ask you to sign in again |\n| Browsing history | Addresses you've visited | History and address bar suggestions disappear; with sync on, other devices may be affected too |\n| Saved passwords and autofill | Account passwords, addresses, form data | You have to enter them again; they can't be recovered |\n| Bookmarks | Sites you've saved | Not among the clear-data options, so clearing the cache leaves them alone |\n\nIf you want space back without signing in again, select only the cache.\n\n## Chrome {#chrome}\n\n1. Click the More icon (three dots) in the upper-right corner and choose Delete browsing data.\n2. Pick a time range. To clear everything, choose All time.\n3. Select only Cached images and files, and deselect Browsing history, Cookies and other site data and everything else.\n4. Click Delete data.\n\n[Google's help article](https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.google.com\u002Fchrome\u002Fanswer\u002F2392709?hl=en) notes that after you delete cookies, you'll usually have to sign in to sites again, and that saved passwords are managed separately in Google Password Manager.\n\n## Safari {#safari}\n\nSafari doesn't show a ready-made \"clear cache\" button, so turn on the developer features first:\n\n1. Choose Safari > Settings, then click Advanced.\n2. Select \"Show features for web developers\", then close the settings window.\n3. From the Develop menu in the menu bar, choose Empty Caches.\n\nThat empties the cache and nothing else. Two other options are easy to confuse with it. History > Clear History removes your browsing history, frequently visited sites, recent searches and similar records, and if Safari uses iCloud, it removes that history from your other Apple devices too. Manage Website Data in Settings > Privacy removes cookies and website data, which can sign you out of sites. Safari's saved passwords live in your keychain, and none of these actions delete them.\n\n## Edge {#edge}\n\n1. Click Settings and more in the upper-right corner, choose Settings, then go to Privacy, search, and services.\n2. Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear next to Clear browsing data now.\n3. Choose a Time range, select only Cached images and files, and deselect Cookies and other site data, Passwords, Autofill form data (includes forms and cards) and anything else.\n4. Click Clear now.\n\n## Arc {#arc}\n\nArc is built on Chromium, and the option lives in its settings: choose Arc > Settings, open Profiles, pick the profile to clean and click Clear Browsing Data. Choose a time range, select only Cached images and files, then confirm. If you use more than one profile, repeat this for each.\n\n> [!NOTE]\n> The Browser Company has announced that Arc for desktop will only remain available until December 22, 2026. If you plan to switch, export your bookmarks and move your saved passwords first. Once you're sure you no longer need Arc, [App Uninstaller](\u002Fdocs\u002Fapp-uninstall) can remove it along with the data it leaves behind.\n\n## Clear browser caches with WashBear {#washbear}\n\nWashBear can clear browser caches in two places, and neither deletes bookmarks. Files are deleted directly rather than moved to the Trash, and each cleanup is recorded in **Operation History**.\n\n### Deep Cleanup: cache only {#deep-clean}\n\n::demo deepClean\n\nOpen **Deep Cleanup** and click **Start Scan**. Under **Browser data**, you'll see items such as **Chrome cache**, **Edge cache**, **Arc cache** and **Firefox cache**. Each one states that passwords, cookies, history, extensions and bookmarks are kept, and **Arc cache** keeps your Spaces too. **Chrome offline cache** and **Edge offline cache** hold website data saved for faster or offline use. They also keep passwords, history and bookmarks, though some sites may download their offline content again.\n\nThese items need the browser closed first. Select it under **Close running apps (optional)** in **Confirm cleanup** and WashBear closes it for you; save anything you're typing into a web page first. Safari's cache isn't listed here. Use Privacy Cleanup for it, as described next.\n\n### Privacy Cleanup: cache plus browsing history {#privacy-cleanup}\n\n::demo privacy\n\n**Privacy Cleanup** supports Safari, Chrome, Edge, Firefox and other browsers, with results grouped by browser and profile. After a scan, **Smart recommendation** preselects lower-impact items such as browsing history, download history and **Browser cache**. **Cookies and sign-in state**, **Site storage**, **Saved passwords** and **Autofill data** are never selected automatically.\n\n- **Cache only**: set **Selection** at the bottom to **Select none**, then select **Browser cache** for each browser. Choose **All time** as the time range to free the most space.\n- **Keep the tabs you had open**: deselect **Browser sessions**, or the browser can't restore your previous windows the next time it starts.\n- **Safari shows Access limited**: Safari's data is protected by macOS, so WashBear needs Full Disk Access. See [Getting Started](\u002Fdocs\u002Fgetting-started#permissions) for how to turn it on.\n- **Cookies or passwords selected**: before you can confirm, you must tick **I understand that selected items may sign out accounts or permanently delete personal data**. This step doesn't appear when you clear only the cache.\n\n## FAQ {#faq}\n\n### Will I have to sign in again after clearing the cache? {#sign-in}\n\nNo. Sign-in state is kept in cookies, and clearing only the cache doesn't touch them.\n\n### Does clearing affect other devices if sync is on? {#sync}\n\nThe cache exists only on this Mac and doesn't sync. Browsing history is different: clearing history in Safari also removes it from your other devices that use iCloud for Safari, and when WashBear clears browsing history, some of those changes may sync to your other devices as well.\n\n### Why do pages load slower right after clearing? {#slower}\n\nThat's expected. Without a cache, a site's images and scripts have to be downloaded again the first time you open it, and things speed up afterward. For more about caches in general, see [How to clear cache on Mac](\u002Fblog\u002Fclear-cache-on-mac).\n",1793258439436]