How to Quickly Clear Only the Safari Cache on macOS

This article explains the fastest method to clear the network cache in the Safari web browser on macOS without deleting your cookies, browsing history, or active login sessions. By enabling Safari's hidden Develop menu, you can bypass the standard history-clearing process and use the Option-Command-E keyboard shortcut to instantly dump temporary cached files while keeping all your personal site data intact.

Why Avoid the Standard "Clear History" Option

When you use Safari’s default "Clear History" feature, the browser removes everything: your browsing history, cached files, and cookies. Deleting cookies logs you out of websites and resets your site preferences. To fix loading issues or view updated web content without the hassle of logging back into your accounts, you must empty only the network cache.

Step 1: Enable the Develop Menu in Safari

Before you can use the cache-clearing shortcut, you need to unlock Safari's Develop menu. You only need to do this once.

  1. Open the Safari browser on your Mac.
  2. Click Safari in the top-left menu bar and select Settings (or Preferences on older versions of macOS).
  3. Click the Advanced tab at the far right of the window.
  4. At the bottom of the window, check the box next to Show features for web developers (on older macOS versions, this is labeled Show Develop menu in menu bar).
  5. Close the Settings window. You will now see a new "Develop" option in your top menu bar.

Step 2: Clear the Cache Using the Keyboard Shortcut

Once the Develop menu is active, you can clear the browser network cache at any time using a simple keyboard combination.

  1. Make sure Safari is your active window.
  2. Press Option + Command + E on your keyboard.

There is no pop-up confirmation or visual indicator when you press these keys, but your browser cache is emptied instantly.

If you prefer using your mouse, you can achieve the exact same result by clicking Develop in the top menu bar and selecting Empty Caches from the drop-down list.

Step 3: Reload Your Webpage

After pressing Option-Command-E, simply refresh your current webpage by pressing Command + R. Safari will now download fresh versions of the website's images, scripts, and stylesheets directly from the server, while your active login sessions and cookies remain completely untouched.