Content Caching stores updates for other devices on your Mac's disk
With Content Caching on, a Mac keeps software updates and app downloads for other Apple devices on its network. How to check its size, cap it or clear it.
Content Caching lets one Mac keep copies of software updates, App Store downloads and some iCloud data, so other Apple devices on the same network fetch them locally. It is off unless someone turned it on, and when it is on, its default size limit is unlimited.
On a Mac where it was never switched on, AssetCacheManagerUtil status reports Activated: false, ActualCacheUsed: Zero KB and CacheLimit: unlimited (checked on macOS 26, October 2026). If yours says Activated: true, the cache is worth a look.
AssetCacheManagerUtil status
sudo du -sh /Library/Application\ Support/Apple/AssetCache/Data 2>/dev/nullCap it, clear it or turn it off
- System Settings, General, Sharing, then the info button next to Content Caching: set a cache size limit, or turn the feature off.
- Clear what it holds now:
sudo AssetCacheManagerUtil flushCache. - Turn it off from Terminal:
sudo AssetCacheManagerUtil deactivate.
Clearing it only means other devices download from Apple again. Nothing on this Mac depends on it. On a network with several Macs and iPhones it can genuinely save bandwidth, so a size limit is often better than switching it off.
Related: the /Library/Updates folder and iPhone backups filling your Mac.
Common questions
Where does Content Caching store its files?
In /Library/Application Support/Apple/AssetCache/Data on the startup disk, unless you chose another volume in the Content Caching options. AssetCacheManagerUtil status shows the current size.
Is it safe to clear the Content Caching cache?
Yes. sudo AssetCacheManagerUtil flushCache removes the cached content, and other devices simply download from Apple until the cache fills again.
How do I limit how much space Content Caching uses?
Open System Settings, General, Sharing, click the info button next to Content Caching and set the cache size. Its default limit is unlimited.