There is no single “Clear Photoshop Cache” button on a Mac. Photoshop uses several different stores for undo history, image data, scratch-disk files, fonts, and preferences. The safest fix depends on the symptom: use Edit > Purge for accumulated undo or clipboard data, manage storage for a scratch-disk warning, delete only the documented CT Font Cache folder for font-related failures, and reset preferences only as a last resort.
Quick answer
- Save every open document and let Creative Cloud synchronization finish.
- For sluggish editing, choose Edit > Purge > All (or purge only Histories or Clipboard).
- Quit and relaunch Photoshop to release temporary scratch-disk files.
- If you see “Scratch disks are full,” free space on the selected drive or choose another suitable drive under Photoshop > Settings > Scratch Disks.
- For crashes involving fonts or the Type tool, quit Photoshop and Creative Cloud, then delete only the CT Font Cache folder.
- Back up settings before resetting Photoshop preferences.
What “cache” means in Photoshop
“Cache” can describe several unrelated systems. Adobe documents them separately:
| What is affected | What it stores | Correct action |
|---|---|---|
| Undo, Histories, Clipboard | In-memory editing and copied-image data | Edit > Purge |
| Image cache | Cached image levels and tiles used for redraw | Change Settings > Performance |
| Scratch disk | Temporary working files when RAM is insufficient | Free disk space or change scratch-disk priority |
| Font cache | Font previews and related data | Delete CT Font Cache only for font symptoms |
| Preferences | Customized settings and application state | Back up, then reset if settings are corrupted |
Because these systems have different purposes, deleting a random folder in ~/Library is not a universal cleanup method.
Before deleting or purging anything
- Save open files, including cloud documents, and verify synchronization has completed.
- Do not force-quit Photoshop while recovery or autosave data may still be writing.
- Quit Photoshop before removing files in Finder; quit Creative Cloud as well when clearing the font cache.
- Never delete the entire Adobe Photoshop support folder to solve a generic slowdown.
Clear undo, history, and clipboard data
Use Purge when Photoshop has become sluggish after extensive editing and you can afford to discard the current document histories.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11#1 Best Overall
- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
- Open Photoshop and save your work.
- Choose Edit > Purge.
- Select Undo, Clipboard, Histories, or All.
- Confirm the warning if it appears.
Purge cannot be undone. It removes the selected undo/history entries and Photoshop clipboard contents, but it does not delete saved image files, projects, presets, brushes, plug-ins, or installed fonts. The menu can be disabled when there is nothing available to purge. Adobe notes that purging may also release scratch-disk space; Photoshop can feel slower temporarily while it rebuilds working data. See Adobe’s performance guidance.
Adjust Photoshop’s image-cache settings
Image caching is a performance setting, not a one-click folder deletion.
- Open Photoshop > Settings > Performance. Older releases may call this Photoshop > Preferences > Performance.
- Under History & Cache, adjust Cache Levels, Cache Tile Size, and History States.
- Select OK and restart Photoshop if requested.
Choosing cache levels
- Adobe’s current documentation lists a default of 4 and supports up to 8 levels.
- For smaller documents with many layers, levels of 1 or 2 can reduce cached redraw data.
- For very large documents (about 50 megapixels or more), values above 4 can improve redraw performance.
- Level 1 disables most image caching; some features may not work optimally.
Choosing tile size and history states
Larger tile sizes can suit large, complex operations; smaller tiles may feel more responsive for fine brush work. Lowering History States uses less memory but leaves fewer recovery steps. Adobe’s current performance page identifies 50 as the default and allows up to 1,000, although older Photoshop versions used different defaults. Treat these as workflow settings, not a guaranteed speed fix. Details are in Adobe’s Performance preferences documentation.
Fix a full or nearly full scratch disk
A scratch disk is storage, not RAM and not the image-cache setting. Photoshop writes temporary working data there when available memory is insufficient, so changing Cache Levels will not solve a disk-capacity warning.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Rank #2
- Get NVMe solid state performance with up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds in a portable, high-capacity drive(1) (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device & other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
- Up to 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance mean this tough drive can take a beating(3) (Previously rated for 2-meter drop protection and IP55 rating. Now qualified for the higher, stated specs.)
- Use the handy carabiner loop to secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind.
- Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256‐bit AES hardware encryption.(3)
- Easily manage files and automatically free up space with the SanDisk Memory Zone app.(5). Non-Operating Temperature -20°C to 85°C
If Photoshop opens
- Quit unnecessary documents, save your work, and close Photoshop.
- In macOS, open System Settings and check available storage. Remove or move large personal files and empty Trash only after checking its contents.
- Reopen Photoshop and choose Photoshop > Settings > Scratch Disks (older versions: Preferences > Scratch Disks).
- Select a fast, writable drive with substantial free space. Use the arrows to put the preferred drive first, then select OK.
- Restart Photoshop.
Adobe recommends a fast internal SSD when practical. Current macOS guidance supports APFS and Mac OS Extended (Journaled) scratch disks. Adobe’s full-disk troubleshooting page recommends freeing at least 100 GB on the primary scratch disk when resolving that error; this is a troubleshooting recommendation, not a universal requirement for every workflow. See scratch-disk setup and scratch-disk error troubleshooting.
If Photoshop will not launch
Free space on the startup disk first. Then hold Command + Option while launching Photoshop and choose another available scratch disk. The alternate drive must be mounted, writable, fast enough for the workload, and formatted compatibly.
Delete Photoshop’s font cache (font problems only)
Use this branch for crashes during startup, hangs with the Type tool, missing fonts, or font-preview failures. It is not a general performance cleaner.
- Quit Photoshop.
- Quit the Creative Cloud desktop app.
- In Finder, choose Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter
~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop. - Delete the folder named CT Font Cache—not the entire Adobe Photoshop folder.
- Empty Trash if desired, then reopen Creative Cloud and Photoshop.
Photoshop recreates the font cache. Folder contents can differ between Photoshop generations, so identify the exact CT Font Cache folder before removing anything. Adobe’s instructions are at Photoshop crash and freeze troubleshooting and font troubleshooting.
Rank #3
- Capacity Display Variance: 250GB external ssd often appears as around 232GB on Windows. MacOS can show full 250 GB capacity. This is binary calculation difference and doesn’t affect SSD hard drive actual physical storage
- 1050 MB/s Speed: Instantly access to your files with blazing-fast 10Gbps external SSD read up to 1050MB/s and write up to 1000MB/s. LED Light indicates USB SSD instant activity
- Data Security: Solid state drives S.M.A.R.T. health diagnostics and adaptive TRIM optimizing data block management ensures consistent write speeds and extends the longevity of the portable SSD
- USB-C & USB-A Cable: Both cables featuring rapid USB 3.2 Gen2, this USB SSD effortlessly bridges devices, enabling seamless cross-platform file transfers and backup between computers, smartphones, tablets and iPhone
- Always Fast: No slowdowns for large file transfers. With SLC caching (25% of current available capacity allocated as high-speed cache), this external SSD delivers steady 10Gbps for transfers within the cache capacity
Reset Photoshop preferences as a last resort
Reset preferences when performance settings will not stick, panels or tools behave abnormally, startup crashes continue despite adequate storage, or scratch-disk settings appear corrupted. This is more disruptive than clearing a cache.
Keyboard reset
- Quit Photoshop.
- Hold Option + Command + Shift while launching it.
- Select Yes when Photoshop asks to delete the Adobe Photoshop Settings file.
Reset on quit from Photoshop
- Open Photoshop > Settings > General.
- Select Reset Preferences On Quit, then OK.
- Quit and relaunch Photoshop.
Back up the preference folder manually
Before deleting or renaming files, copy the folder at:
/Users/<username>/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop <version> Settings
Renaming or moving it is safer than permanent deletion until Photoshop has been tested. A reset restores defaults and can remove customized workspaces, keyboard shortcuts, performance settings, and other preferences. See Adobe’s reset-preferences guide.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRank #4
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
If Photoshop is still slow or crashing
- Launch while holding Shift and choose to skip optional and third-party plug-ins; a plug-in-specific crash is not a cache problem.
- Confirm the selected scratch disk remains mounted and writable.
- Review GPU settings in Settings > Performance if redraw or zooming is unstable.
- Reduce History States for very large documents and test with a new document.
- If trouble began immediately after an update, test the current supported release and consult Adobe’s crash logs and support guidance.
What not to delete
- The entire Adobe Photoshop support folder.
- Preference folders without a backup.
- System fonts merely because Photoshop is slow.
- Recovery or autosave files while Photoshop is running.
- Unrelated macOS cache and system folders with a third-party cleaner.
Use documented in-app controls first; Finder deletion should be limited to the specific font-cache folder when the symptoms match.
How often should you clear Photoshop cache?
There is no maintenance schedule. Purge only when undo, history, or clipboard data is consuming memory; address scratch-disk space when macOS or Photoshop reports low storage; clear the font cache only for font-related symptoms; and reset preferences only when settings corruption is evident. Routine deletion is unnecessary and can remove useful recovery or customization data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does clearing Photoshop cache delete my photos?
No. Edit > Purge removes selected undo, history, and clipboard data, not saved image files. Deleting the documented CT Font Cache also leaves projects, presets, brushes, plug-ins, and fonts intact.
Why is my scratch disk full when my Mac has free RAM?
The scratch disk is storage used for temporary working files when Photoshop needs more working space. Free RAM does not guarantee free space on the selected disk.
Best Value
- NEARLY 2X FASTER THAN OUR PREVIOUS GENERATION(8) – move 1,000 high-res photos in under 60 seconds(6) with up to 2000MB/s transfer speeds(2).
- IP65 RATING AND UP TO 3M DROP PROTECTION(3) – protects against spills and drops.
- POCKET-SIZED – fits easily in pockets and small bags.
- SPACE TO OWN YOUR AI CONTENT – speed and capacity to download your high-res clips and photo edits.
- 256-BIT AES ENCRYPTION(4) – helps keep private files secure with password protection.
Can a Mac cleaner safely clear Photoshop cache?
Avoid indiscriminate cleaners. They can remove preferences, recovery data, presets, or Creative Cloud files. Use Photoshop’s controls and Adobe’s specifically documented CT Font Cache procedure instead.
Why did Photoshop feel slower after Purge?
Purging discards cached working data, so Photoshop may temporarily rebuild it. Purge is intended to release memory or scratch space, not to provide a permanent speed increase.
What if Photoshop still will not open?
Free startup-disk space, then hold Command + Option while launching to select another scratch disk. If the issue persists, back up and reset preferences, or troubleshoot third-party plug-ins by launching while holding Shift.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
