How to Delete Temporary Files on Mac

March 8, 2020November 10, 2022 David Baddeley

How to Delete Temporary Files on Mac | Simple Ways to Optimizing

Have you just been notified by your Mac that “Your disk is full”?

Well, working on your Mac for too long now, you might have already accumulated a lot of data such as temporary files.

These temporary files (as known as “temp files”) can be in the form of browser cookies, outdated system logs, application cache, and intermediate document versions. And they are what is behind your Mac experience through each passing time.

So, if you don’t delete such files, you may see your Mac slow down and underperform as these tend to occupy a considerable amount of your disk.

In the next sections, we will teach you how to find the temporary files on your Mac and guide you on how to delete those.

How to Find Temporary Files on your Mac?

Temporary files are not called temporary for no reason. These files are automatically created and removed by the apps you’re using. They save bits of the user data such as passwords and other information to deliver a smooth web experience on your Mac.

First, let’s find where these temporary files are stored before we try to remove them manually and automatically.

As what others would commonly say, “when you’re lost, go to Finder”. So, in looking for the place where temporary files are, follow these simple steps:

Go to Finder.
On your Favorites, go to Applications.
Open the “Utilities” folder.
Choose Terminal. A pop-up will automatically appear.
Type open $TMPDIR. A library showing your temporary files and folders will appear. You can also access your temporary files through /tmp folders in your library.

Pretty easy, right?

I guess you are now ready, so let’s look into the several ways on how to delete temporary files on your Mac.

How to Delete Temporary Files on your Mac?

There are many ways to clear your temporary files on your Mac – either automatically or manually. While the former saves you time, the latter allows you to review the temporary files before you remove them.

Below are the following options you can select from to remove temporary files on your Mac.

1. Delete temporary files automatically using Mac cleaning software

The first thing you might want to consider is downloading and using Mac cleaner applications such as CleanMyMac X and Gemini. Most users find these apps useful in optimizing their Mac. Let’s see how these apps work.

CleanMyMac X is capable of doing a thorough scan of your Mac in just a minute or two. After a quick scan, it reveals your system junk, including your temporary files. It also exposes the potential malware threats present in your Mac.

But it doesn’t end there yet. CleanMyMac X also offers the removal of all these in just one click.

Inevitably, we tend to save the same files over and over again without our knowledge. The Gemini app helps you in managing your files, including your temporary files, by scanning through your system for duplicates.

To do this, follow the simple steps below:

Open your Gemini app.
Press the button with the “+” sign.
You will be asked which folder you want to scan.
When you’re done choosing, click “Scan for Duplicates”. Gemini will then display the files and their duplicates, and you may opt to delete those files anytime.

2. Clear cache and temporary files.

To do this, follow this simple procedure:

Quit all your running applications.
Open Finder.
While holding the “option” key, simultaneously click “Go” at the menu bar and select “Library” from the list.
Type in “Cache” in the search bar.
You will be redirected to the temporary files and folders created by your system apps.
You may select which files and folders to remove or you may select them all at once and “Move to Trash”. Now, your temporary files are removed and your disk has regained some space.

3. Clear your browser’s temporary files and cache.

Knowing that you use the web daily to surf, there’s no doubt that you’ve gathered a lot of temporary data.

Let’s focus on your Mac’s built-in browser, Safari, to follow this simple procedure to clear your browser’s temporary files and cache.

Open your Safari browser.
On the menu bar, click “Safari” and choose “Preferences”.
Hover over the “Advanced” tab.
Check the box that says “Show Develop menu in menu bar”.
Then, on the menu bar, choose “Develop” and select “Empty Cache”. By clicking that once, you clear your browser’s temporary files like cookies and cache.

4. Clear your system temporary files and cache by restarting your Mac.

Sometimes, all your Mac needs is a breath of fresh air. Restarting its system basically reboots and helps clear your temporary files and cache.

To restart, go to the Apple logo at the menu bar.

Click on it and choose “Restart”.

Final Words

There you go.

This simple guide may improve and optimize your Mac experience. These easy steps may be handy, especially if you are struggling with maximizing your disk space.

You can delete your temp files automatically or manually.

By that, most users attest that you must take advantage of the fast cleaning benefits you get from using CleanMyMac X and Gemini. If you have not yet tried using a Mac cleaner software before, these two can be your good options.

However, no matter how convenient it is to remove your temp files automatically, you might still develop that sense of doubt that at some point in time, those automatic cleaning apps may not work like how you expect them to.

You can still clear your temporary files manually by doing a few clicks to make sure that it is carefully done. It may take you more time but the main goal is still the same – to clear your temporary files and cache.

Was this article helpful? Do you have other tips in mind? Let us know in the comments below.

Enjoy browsing!