Does clearing the Discord cache delete my messages?

No. Messages are stored on Discord's servers and reload when you open the app. The cache only holds local copies of images, emoji, avatars and compiled code.

Will clearing the cache sign me out of Discord?

Not if you delete only Cache, Code Cache and GPUCache. Deleting the whole ~/Library/Application Support/discord folder removes your sign-in and settings too.

Why is my Discord folder several gigabytes?

Busy servers cache every image, GIF, avatar and embed you scroll past, and Discord rarely prunes it. On a daily-used account the Cache folder alone can pass several gigabytes.

Mac cache folders

How to clear the Discord cache on a Mac

By Vishva Variya · Updated November 12, 2026 · 3 min read

Short answer

Discord's Mac app has no clear-cache button. Quit Discord with ⌘Q, open ~/Library/Application Support/discord in Finder (Go › Go to Folder), and move the Cache, Code Cache and GPUCache folders to the Trash. They hold images, emoji, avatars and compiled code, and Discord rebuilds them on the next launch. Leave the rest of the folder — especially Local Storage — alone, or you will be signed out.

Where is the Discord cache on a Mac?

~/Library/Application Support/discord/Cache
~/Library/Application Support/discord/Code Cache
~/Library/Application Support/discord/GPUCache
~/Library/Caches/com.hnc.Discord

Safe to clear. Temporary files stored by Discord. Safe to delete and Discord will rebuild them automatically when you next open it.

How do I delete the Discord cache by hand?

1Quit Discord completely (Discord › Quit Discord, or ⌘Q) — closing the window leaves it running
2In Finder choose Go › Go to Folder and enter ~/Library/Application Support/discord
3Move the Cache, Code Cache and GPUCache folders to the Trash
4Optionally empty ~/Library/Caches/com.hnc.Discord the same way
5Reopen Discord; images and emoji load again as you browse

What happens when you clear it?

Your messages, servers and friends list live on Discord's servers, not in these folders, so nothing is lost. Images, avatars and embedded media download again the first time you see them, which can feel slow for a few minutes. You stay signed in as long as you only remove the three cache folders: the sign-in lives in Local Storage in the same discord folder, so deleting the whole folder signs you out and resets your settings.

Clearing it with Peekaboo

Peekaboo’s App Caches page lists “Discord” 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 Discord, check its size, and move it to the Trash.

Questions

Does clearing the Discord cache delete my messages?: No. Messages are stored on Discord's servers and reload when you open the app. The cache only holds local copies of images, emoji, avatars and compiled code.
Will clearing the cache sign me out of Discord?: Not if you delete only Cache, Code Cache and GPUCache. Deleting the whole ~/Library/Application Support/discord folder removes your sign-in and settings too.
Why is my Discord folder several gigabytes?: Busy servers cache every image, GIF, avatar and embed you scroll past, and Discord rarely prunes it. On a daily-used account the Cache folder alone can pass several gigabytes.