Resolve's cache folder outgrows your footage, and it is set to Local by default
Optimised media, render cache and gallery stills live in one folder that grows per project. Where it is and how to point it somewhere else.
Resolve generates a great deal to make editing smooth: optimised media, proxies, render cache and gallery stills. By default all of it goes to a folder on your fastest drive, which on most Macs is the internal one, and none of it is removed when a project is finished.
Find the cache folder
du -sh ~/Movies/DaVinci\ Resolve 2>/dev/null
du -sh ~/Library/Application\ Support/Blackmagic\ Design 2>/dev/null
du -sh ~/Movies/*/CacheClip 2>/dev/null | sort -h | tailThe location is set in Preferences, Media Storage, and in Project Settings under Master Settings. Checking where it actually points is the first thing to do, because the default is not where most people would choose.
What is in it
| Kind | What it is | Regenerated |
|---|---|---|
| Optimised media | Lower resolution copies for smooth playback | Yes, by re-optimising |
| Render cache | Pre-rendered effects and transitions | Yes, on playback |
| Proxy media | Smaller working copies | Yes |
| Gallery stills | Grade snapshots you saved | No. These are your work |
| Project database backups | Automatic project backups | No, keep these |
Clearing it properly
Inside Resolve: Playback, Delete Render Cache, with options for unused or all. For optimised media, the media pool right click menu has an option to delete it per clip or for the whole project. Both are better than deleting folders because the database keeps track of what exists.
Moving it off the internal drive
If you work with video regularly, pointing the cache at an external SSD is the single change that keeps the internal drive usable. It is a preference rather than a cleanup, and it means the folder can grow without ever being your problem again.
The same principle applies across every editor, which is the point of render files and generated media, and the drive question itself is covered in what moves safely to an external drive.
Common questions
Where does DaVinci Resolve store its cache on a Mac?
In the location set under Preferences, Media Storage, which defaults to a folder on the internal drive, usually inside ~/Movies. Project settings can override it per project.
Is it safe to delete Resolve's render cache?
Yes, it is regenerated during playback. Use Playback, Delete Render Cache inside Resolve so the project database stays consistent rather than deleting the folder by hand.
What in the Resolve folder cannot be regenerated?
Gallery stills, which are your saved grades, and the project database backups. Optimised media, proxies and render cache are all derived from your footage.
Should I move the Resolve cache to an external drive?
If you edit regularly, yes. It is set in Preferences, Media Storage, and it stops an unbounded cache from competing with everything else on the internal drive.