What does Cache Kid clean?

Cache Kid finds rebuildable cache, previews, renders, logs, and temporary files from creative apps like Adobe, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Blender, Figma, Capture One, and Logic Pro.

Does Cache Kid clean my whole Mac?

No. It focuses on known creative app cache folders and any custom cache folders you choose to add, so cleanup stays targeted and reviewable.

Will it delete projects, media, exports, or documents?

No. Cache Kid is built to avoid your work and only target cache creative apps can rebuild. You review every path and size first, selected items move to Trash, and cleanup is blocked while related apps are open.

Does Cache Kid need Full Disk Access?

No. Cache Kid asks for specific folder access through the standard macOS picker and only reads folders you approve.

Can I try it for free?

Yes. Scans are always free, and free users get two full clean runs. Cache Kid Pro is a one-time lifetime purchase through the Mac App Store with no subscription.

Does Cache Kid upload my files?

No. Cache Kid works locally on your Mac and does not upload your project files, media, exports, documents, or scanned folder contents.

Will clearing cache make my Mac faster?

Cache Kid is focused on freeing storage, not making fake speed promises. Some apps may need a moment to rebuild previews or thumbnails after cleanup.

What is stored in Adobe Common on Mac?

Adobe Common can include shared media cache, media cache databases, conformed audio, peak files, preview helper files, and other temporary Adobe data used by multiple Creative Cloud apps.

Why does Adobe cache come back?

Adobe apps rebuild cache as you import media, preview timelines, render, and export. Cleanup frees old cache, but active projects will create new cache again.

Adobe

Adobe Common folder huge on Mac

Published June 20, 2026, updated June 20, 2026

Quick answer

The Adobe Common folder can become huge because Premiere Pro, After Effects, Media Encoder, and other Adobe apps share media cache and database files there. Quit Adobe apps first, use in-app cache controls where possible, and review Adobe Common before moving anything to Trash.

Adobe Common folder huge on Mac: 2026 cleanup guide thumbnail

The Adobe Common folder can become huge because Adobe apps share media cache, cache databases, conformed audio, peak files, and helper files there. Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Media Encoder can all contribute to the same area, so one folder can grow even if you only remember working in one app.

Quick fix: quit Adobe apps, use Premiere or After Effects cache settings first, then review Adobe Common before moving anything to Trash.

Where Adobe Common lives on Mac

The Adobe Common cache path most editors run into is ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Common. Adobe's current Premiere manual cleanup guidance lists that location for macOS, and After Effects uses the same shared media cache area for imported media.

Inside that folder, the big ones are usually Media Cache and Media Cache Files. Those are different from your project files, exports, and source footage.

Premiere Pro Media Cache settings panel showing the Delete button

Why it gets so large

Adobe apps cache imported video and audio so timelines open faster and waveforms, previews, and conformed files do not need to rebuild every time. That is useful while a job is active.

The mess starts after delivery. Cache from old jobs can hang around, especially if automatic media cache cleanup is not enabled or if several Adobe apps are feeding the same shared folder.

What to do first

Quit Premiere Pro, After Effects, Media Encoder, Photoshop, and Creative Cloud apps
Use Premiere Pro > Settings > Media Cache if Premiere still opens
Use Edit > Purge > All Memory & Disk Cache in After Effects when it makes sense
Review folder names and paths before moving anything
Keep project files, source media, exports, catalogs, and presets untouched

Can I delete the whole Adobe Common folder?

Avoid deleting the whole Adobe Common folder blindly. Some content is rebuildable cache, but broad deletion can cause big rebuilds, reset useful state, or make troubleshooting harder than it needs to be.

If you clean manually, focus on known media cache folders and keep the parent structure intact where possible. Close Adobe apps first, then empty Trash only after you are confident the apps reopen correctly.

Where Cache Kid helps

Cache Kid scans known Adobe cache locations and shows what it found before anything moves. It is built for the moment when you know Adobe cache is huge but do not want to guess in Finder.

Selected items go to Trash, not permanent delete.

Cache Kid scan results showing Adobe cache folders

How to stop Adobe cache growing again

Enable automatic media cache cleanup by age or size in Premiere
Empty After Effects disk cache after large projects
Keep a free-space buffer on your startup disk
Scan creative cache after big exports or project deliveries
Move active cache to a fast SSD only if that drive is always connected when you work

Last verified with Adobe media cache guidance updated in 2026 and current macOS 15 behavior.

Related guide

Clear Adobe Creative Cloud Cache on Mac

Want the full cleanup walkthrough? This guide explains where the cache lives and what is safe to review before moving anything to Trash.

Review before you clear

Try Cache Kid for Adobe cache

Cache Kid is a macOS menu bar app that scans known Adobe cache folders, shows you what it found, and moves only what you select to Trash. Scans are free. Nothing is permanently deleted until you empty Trash yourself.

Cache Kid menu showing Adobe Creative Cloud cache expanded

Scan, review sizes and paths, then clear only what you choose from the menu bar.

Try for $0.00

Scans are free. Upgrade only when you are ready to clear more.

Frequently asked questions

What is stored in Adobe Common on Mac?: Adobe Common can include shared media cache, media cache databases, conformed audio, peak files, preview helper files, and other temporary Adobe data used by multiple Creative Cloud apps.
Can I delete the whole Adobe Common folder?: Avoid deleting the whole folder blindly. Use Adobe cache controls first or review the contents carefully. Some files are rebuildable, but broad deletion can cause unnecessary rebuilds or confusion.
Why does Adobe cache come back?: Adobe apps rebuild cache as you import media, preview timelines, render, and export. Cleanup frees old cache, but active projects will create new cache again.