How do I clear cache in Safari now?

Goopin Dog wrote:

I'm still left with 1.5 GB or more of cache crap!

Why do you believe that cache files are "crap?" The purpose of cache files is to help your Mac perform at its best. They keep it running faster. By deleting cache files, you force your Mac to start rebuilding them from scratch, which slows it down... not to mention the fact that the cache files just come right back over time.

Ignore the caches. Pretend they're not there, and don't mess with them. DEFINITELY don't use any "cleaning" utilities that profess to speed up your Mac by deleting caches. If you are running tight on hard drive space, trimming out cache files is not an appropriate solution, since they'll just come back... you need to remove some of your data files or applications that you no longer need, or that you can move to another storage device.

It's not easy to keep up with all the changes from one Safari version to the next.

If you click Safari > Reset Safari

You won't see any options for clearing the cache directly, but you can clear the cache by selecting: Clear History

But not everyone wants to lose their History so we suggest alternatives such as enabling the develop menu.

This function does not delete the Safari cache.db file, which contains details on all pages the user has visited. The only way to delete it is to do so manually in the Finder. Chrome and Firefox both delete their cache.db file when the user clears their browser data. Only Safari fails to do this.

This is an appaling privacy failure.

The Safari cache.db file is located in <username>/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari/

By default, Mountain Lion hides your home directory's Library folder (username/Library). To access it from Finder, you must open the "Go" menu and hold down the Option key to reveal the Library in the menu's drop down list. You can then click on Library in the menu, which will open it in a Finder window.

Once there, open the Caches folder and then the com.apple.Safari folder.

I just browsed several websites and confirmed my Safari cache.db file is 8.8MB in size. I then cleared browsing data using the three methods I previously mentioned (reset Safari, empty caches, and remove all website data.) I closed my browser and re-checked the cache.db file. It's still 8.8MB.

I don't know why your cache.db file seems to have gotten smaller without you emptying the cache manually, but I don't see that you've proven anything either.

The question at hand is whether Safari removes all traces of web browsing history at the user's request. I tested this as follows:

Step 1: I read the cache.db file and confirmed it contained URLs that were visited

Step 2: I engaged every known Safari function intended to clear browsing data

Step 3: I re-checked the cache.db file and confimed that it was neither emptied nor deleted and that it still contains visited URLs.

You can follow these same steps without the perceived risk of deleting any system files (aka, the cache.db file.)

Good sleuthing there, free --

So, what happens if you go to Users > Library > Caches > Safari, and take that Safari file to the trash & restart Safari. I did a "get info" on mine and it's 233.2 MB. Took that file to the trash, restarted Safari.

BRB

Cache is now 4 MB, the size of my CNN Home Page.

Then I delete History, and I think I'm pretty good as far as privacy goes. What do you think?

Well, yes and no. For starters, I don't want to have to manually delete a file that's burried several layers deep in a hidden folder when this function should be accessible with a single click from a Safari menu.

Additionally, this whole mess raises the question of where else Safari may be storing web data that is not deleted when requested by the user. I am not convinced that Apple takes this issue seriously.

This is like an expensive home security system that requires the resident to go through several door locks while leaving an open window for burglars.

The core issue here is that users want a simple and reliable method for erasing their web browsing data when desired and Apple has failed to deliver.

Anyone who agrees should file a report with Apple at:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/safari.html

Hi, I need a bit of help, I can't seem to find com.apple.safari in Cache or anywhere on my mac for that matter.

I even tried making all files visible and still no luck. I tried Clearing history but that did not clear my cache.

Running Safari 6.0.2

Please let me know if anyone has any ideas.

Thanks

V

Safari... Reset Safary... or something similar. And you will have a choice to reset many things as cache

I have it in Italian I hope you find it if my translation is not perfect.

Wrong suggestion.

No problem 🙂 Appreciate the points!

Was my suggestion wrong ?

Walter --

In Mountain Lion, the option for clearing the Safari cache is no longer there.

Why? Nobody here knows. Bad decision, IMHO.

Thanks. I have learned too.

Unfortunately I cannot give points.

Now I have Developr set on the menu.

why does it knock me off the net when I empty the cache?