How to Clear the Microsoft Teams Cache for macOS
Clearing the cache in MS Teams can be a useful step in resolving certain issues. When you encounter problems with the Teams application on macOS that don’t appear in the web version of Teams, the culprit might often be found in the cache of the native app.
One frequent issue that clearing the cache can resolve involves a static tab failing to show any content and instead loading an empty page. Occasionally, clearing the Teams cache can also address issues with the telephony feature of Teams.
As of now, Microsoft hasn’t provided a simple, one-click solution for clearing the Teams cache.
On top of that, following the latest update to the Microsoft Teams client, users now have two versions of the Teams app to consider, each with its own method for clearing the cache, depending on their file structures and operational specifics. This guide will walk you through the cache-clearing process for both versions on macOS, ensuring you can tackle any related problems with ease, regardless of the version you’re using.
If you’re looking for instructions on how to clear the Microsoft Teams cache on Windows, be sure to check out our guide for Windows users.
Running into Teams problems?
Clear the cache in Classic Teams for macOS
Quit Teams by right-clicking its icon in the dock and selecting Quit or pressing Command (⌘)-Q.
Open Terminal from the /Applications/Utilities folder.
Type rm -r ~/Library/Application\ Support/Microsoft/Teams and press Return.
Then, restart Teams.
Clear the cache in New Teams for macOS
Quit Teams by right-clicking its icon in the dock and selecting Quit or by pressing Command (⌘)-Q.
Open Terminal from /Applications/Utilities.
Type rm -rf ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.com.microsoft.teams and press Return.
Then type rm -rf ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.teams2 and press Return again.
Finally, restart Teams.
Please note, that when you clear the cache in Microsoft Teams, be aware that some settings may temporarily revert to defaults. This includes device preferences such as the microphone, speaker, or camera, which might reset to default until Teams re-detects the preferred devices—a common occurrence if device IDs must be re-identified during app reload. Additionally, while custom backgrounds typically are not lost, there may be instances where Teams starts with a default background, like no background or a blurred effect, as it reloads these settings from its servers. You will also need to log in again since clearing the cache removes session data, a security step to protect your information. These changes are usually temporary, with original settings restored once the app has fully reinitialized and synced. Make sure to check and adjust your settings if necessary after clearing the cache.
Want to make managing Teams easier?
Although this script addresses cache-related problems, overseeing Teams comes with its own set of struggles. Explore Teams Manager for additional solutions to manage Microsoft Teams effectively. It offers a powerful governance toolkit, including a request and approval system for new teams, lifecycle management, naming rules, governance policies, and more, to bring your Teams administration to the next level.
Learn more about Microsoft Teams: Click here to follow us on Linkedin!
Head of Marketing & Sales at Solutions2Share – Florian Pflanz has 6 years of M365 experience and has been involved in numerous projects concerning Microsoft Teams governance. In over 200 workshops, he has collected extensive knowledge and best practices regarding Microsoft Teams and companies’ management requirements.
