clear teams cache on mac

3 min read 11-12-2024

Meta Description: Learn how to clear your Microsoft Teams cache on your Mac to fix slowdowns, glitches, and other issues. This comprehensive guide provides detailed instructions for both the application and browser versions, ensuring a smoother Teams experience. We cover troubleshooting steps and tips for preventing future cache build-up.

Microsoft Teams, while a powerful collaboration tool, can sometimes experience performance issues due to a large or corrupted cache. A bloated cache can lead to slow loading times, glitches, and even application crashes. Fortunately, clearing your Teams cache on your Mac is a relatively straightforward process. This guide will walk you through the steps for both the dedicated Teams application and the web version within your browser.

Clearing the Teams Desktop App Cache on Mac

This method focuses on clearing the cache specifically for the Microsoft Teams application installed on your Mac.

Step 1: Quit Microsoft Teams

Before you begin, ensure that the Microsoft Teams application is completely closed. You can do this by right-clicking the Teams icon in your Dock and selecting "Quit." Alternatively, use the Command + Q keyboard shortcut.

Step 2: Locate the Teams Application Support Folder

The Teams cache is stored within a hidden Application Support folder. To access it, you need to reveal hidden files:

Open Finder.
Go to Go in the menu bar.
Hold down the Option key. You'll see "Library" appear in the menu.
Select Library.
Navigate to Application Support > Microsoft > Teams.

Step 3: Delete the Cache Folder

Inside the Teams folder, you'll find several subfolders. The one you're interested in is usually called "Cache" or something similar. Delete the entire Cache folder. (You might see other folders like "Logs" and "Databases"; you can leave these unless you're troubleshooting very specific issues – but deleting the cache is the primary solution).

Step 4: Relaunch Microsoft Teams

Once the cache folder is deleted, relaunch the Teams application. It will recreate the cache folder as needed, starting fresh and hopefully resolving any performance problems.

Clearing the Teams Web App Cache on Mac (using Chrome as an Example)

If you primarily use Teams through a web browser, you'll need to clear your browser's cache. The process varies slightly depending on the browser you are using. We'll use Google Chrome as an example, but the general steps are similar for other browsers like Safari, Firefox, etc.

Step 1: Open Chrome Settings

In Chrome, click the three vertical dots in the upper right corner to open the menu. Then select Settings.

Step 2: Access Privacy and Security

Scroll down and click on Privacy and security.

Step 3: Clear Browsing Data

Click on Clear browsing data.

Step 4: Select the Correct Time Range and Data Types

A window will pop up. Select "All time" for the time range. Make sure to check the boxes next to Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. You can leave other options unchecked unless you want a more thorough cleaning of your browsing history.

Step 5: Clear Data

Click on Clear data. This will remove the cached data for all websites, including Microsoft Teams.

Troubleshooting and Prevention

Persistent Problems: If clearing the cache doesn't resolve your issues, consider restarting your Mac or checking for Teams updates. More serious problems might require reinstalling Teams.
Preventing Cache Buildup: Regularly clearing your cache (perhaps once a month) can help prevent performance issues in the long run.
Browser Extensions: Browser extensions can sometimes interfere with Teams. Try disabling any unnecessary extensions to see if that improves performance.

By following these steps, you can effectively clear your Teams cache on your Mac and enjoy a smoother, more efficient collaboration experience. Remember to always back up important data before undertaking any major system changes.