Will clearing Chrome's cache sign me out of websites?

Not if you clear only 'Cached images and files'. Google says the sign-outs come from deleting 'Cookies and other site data', so leave that box unticked.

Does clearing Chrome's cache delete my downloads?

No. Even 'Download history' only clears the list of downloaded files. Google says the files stay on your computer.

Is there a faster way to open Delete browsing data?

Type 'Delete browsing data' in Chrome's address bar and select the action chip that appears.

Mac cache folders

How to clear the Chrome cache on a Mac

By Vishva Variya · Updated November 2, 2026 · 3 min read

Short answer

In Chrome, click More (⋮) › Delete browsing data, choose a time range, tick only “Cached images and files” and click Delete data. Leaving cookies unticked keeps you signed in to websites. Pages may load a little slower at first while Chrome fetches their images again.

Where is the Google Chrome cache on a Mac?

~/Library/Caches/Google
~/Library/Caches/com.google.Chrome

Safe to clear. Google Chrome's temporary browsing data, such as website caches and previews. Websites may load a little slower until Chrome rebuilds it.

How do I clear the cache in Chrome?

1Open Chrome
2At the top right, click More (three dots) › Delete browsing data
3Choose a time range, like Last hour or All time
4Tick Cached images and files (untick Cookies and other site data and Browsing history to keep sign-ins and history)
5Click Delete data

How do I delete the Google Chrome cache by hand?

1Quit Chrome (Chrome › Quit Google Chrome, or Cmd-Q)
2In Finder choose Go › Go to Folder and enter ~/Library/Caches/Google/Chrome
3Move the contents to the Trash
4Reopen Chrome

What happens when you clear it?

Google: deleting 'Cached images and files' removes text and images from pages you've visited. Some sites can seem slower, because content like images needs to load again. Cache alone does not sign you out. Google says that deleting 'Cookies and other site data' is what signs you out ('if you were signed in, you'll need to sign in again').

Clearing it with Peekaboo

Peekaboo’s App Caches page lists “Google Chrome” with its size and the note above, alongside every other cache it finds. It won’t offer a folder the app is still running from, and the cleanup goes to the Trash, so ⌥⌘Z puts it back.

1Open App Caches.⇧⌘E
2Find Google Chrome, check its size, and move it to the Trash.

Questions

Will clearing Chrome's cache sign me out of websites?: Not if you clear only 'Cached images and files'. Google says the sign-outs come from deleting 'Cookies and other site data', so leave that box unticked.
Does clearing Chrome's cache delete my downloads?: No. Even 'Download history' only clears the list of downloaded files. Google says the files stay on your computer.
Is there a faster way to open Delete browsing data?: Type 'Delete browsing data' in Chrome's address bar and select the action chip that appears.