How to clear Zoom cache on Mac and iPhone

Feel frustrated with your Zoom not working the way it should? Have troubles joining a Zoom call or starting a meeting? Or perhaps the microphone or camera keeps glitching, and you have no idea why?

Well, it could be caused by the cache Zoom stores on your Mac or iOS device. And the quickest way to fix it is to clear than nasty cache. Too obvious, right? And how you do that depends on whether you’re using the Zoom app or Zoom web. In this article, I’ll try to explain both ways how to clear the cache, so let’s get straight to that!

What is Zoom cache?

Every app that connects to the internet stores some data on your Mac or iOS device to speed up launch or operation time. In Zoom's case, that data can be login username, details of meeting codes you’ve used in the past, and other data. However, sometimes cache files can be corrupt and cause Zoom functionality to fail.

How to clear Zoom cache on Mac

The Zoom app provides a straightforward way to clear the cache in its Mac app. But if you use Zoom in a web browser or switch between a web browser and a Mac app, you have to clear the cache from the app and the web browser you use. Anyway, time to do some cleaning!

There’s a stress-free solution to clearing the cache in multiple apps at once, and I’ll share that with you in a moment. But first, here’s how to clear Zoom’s cache manually.

How to clear the Zoom app cache

1. Launch the Zoom app on your Mac.
2. Click the Settings icon in the top right corner. Or, go to the menu and click Zoom > Preferences.
3. Select Zoom apps in the sidebar and click Clear in the main window.

How to clear the Zoom cache in Safari

1. Launch Safari.
2. Click the Safari menu and choose Preferences.
3. Choose the Privacy tab and click Manage Website Data.
4. Type Zoom into the search box. When it appears, select it and click Remove.

How to clear the Zoom cache in Chrome

1. Launch Chrome.
2. Click on the three dots at the right of the address bar, and choose Settings.
3. Select Security and Privacy, or paste the following command into the address bar: chrome://settings/privacy.
4. Click Clear browsing data.
5. Check Cached images and files and click Clear data.

How to clear the Zoom cache in Firefox

1. Launch Firefox.
2. Click the three lines at the right of the address bar, and choose Settings.
3. Click Privacy & Security.
4. Scroll down to Cookies and Site data and choose Manage Data.
5. Search for Zoom in the search box, select and click Remove Selected.

How to clear all Zoom cache in a few clicks

As I said earlier, I have a stress-free way to remove Zoom’s cache from everywhere in no time. CleanMyMac X is one of my favorite utility apps. It has several modules that free up gigabytes of space on Mac, run it smoothly, and protect it from malware. Yes, all at once in a single app!

Here’s how to use it to clear the Zoom cache.

1. Download CleanMyMac X for free here.
2. Launch it and choose System Junk in the sidebar.
3. Press Scan, and when it’s finished - Review Details.
4. Select User Cache Files in the middle panel and uncheck it.
5. In the right-hand panel, locate Zoom and each of the browsers you use Zoom in and check them. Click Clean.

How to clear Zoom cache on iOS or iPad OS

If you use the Zoom app on your iPhone or iPad, you can also clear its cache from that particular device.

1. Tap Settings, then General.
2. Choose iPhone (or iPad) Storage.
3. Scroll down to Zoom and tap it.
4. Click Delete App. The Zoom app and all of its data will be deleted.
5. Go to the App Store and download Zoom again.

How to fix other problems with Zoom

I guarantee clearing the cache will fix lots of problems with Zoom. Still, it won’t be able to solve every problem you may encounter. In this case, if the first fix doesn’t work for you, try following these tips instead.

1. Check your broadband connection and wifi network – a problem with the internet causes most problems with Zoom.
2. Make sure Zoom is up to date: Zoom menu > Check for Updates.
3. Make sure macOS is up to date: Apple menu > About this Mac > Software Update.
4. If you have an external camera or microphone, check that those are correctly connected and selected in Zoom > Preferences >Audio/Video.
5. Restart your Mac.
6. Uninstall Zoom entirely by clicking on the Zoom menu and choosing Uninstall Zoom, then download it again.

Since the pandemic hit, Zoom calls and meetings have become a big part of our work and personal lives. It’s a truly great tool that allows you to keep in touch with your team, friends, family and loved ones. It’s no surprise we feel frustrated losing those human connections. So please remember, when Zoom doesn’t work, try to clear the cache first. Follow all the instructions I gave you in this article, and it should be up and running in no time.