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 the difference between RAM cache and disk cache?

RAM cache lives in memory and helps previews play during the current session. Disk cache is stored on your drive and can persist after you quit After Effects, so it is more likely to become a storage problem.

Will purging After Effects cache delete my composition?

No. Your .aep file and footage remain separate. After Effects may need to rebuild previews after cache is cleared.

Can Cache Kid replace After Effects cache settings?

No. Use After Effects settings for disk cache size and purge commands. Cache Kid helps review related Adobe cache files from outside the app.

After Effects

After Effects disk cache full and out of memory on Mac

Published May 9, 2026, updated May 9, 2026

Quick answer

Quit heavy apps, purge After Effects memory and disk cache, then reduce disk cache size if your drive is nearly full. Cache Kid can review shared Adobe cache after you use After Effects built-in cleanup.

After Effects disk cache out of memory on Mac: 2026 fix guide thumbnail

If After Effects shows an out-of-memory warning on Mac, close the other heavy apps, purge memory and disk cache, then check free disk space. After Effects can rebuild previews, but a packed startup disk makes everything worse because macOS needs room for swap.

Quick fix: choose Edit > Purge > All Memory & Disk Cache, then check After Effects > Settings > Media & Disk Cache.

Why After Effects runs out of memory

After Effects can hit the macOS memory warning when a comp is too heavy, when a plugin is leaking memory, when disk cache has grown too large, or when your startup disk is too full for swap files.

Clearing cache helps when storage is the bottleneck. It will not magically make a 3D comp, a giant precomp stack, or a noisy effect chain fit into memory.

macOS Force Quit window showing After Effects not responding due to low application memory

RAM cache vs disk cache vs media cache

Cache type	Where it lives	What happens when cleared
RAM cache	Memory	Preview frames rebuild during the session
Disk cache	Storage drive	Cached frames rebuild later
Media cache	Adobe shared folders	Imported media may reconform or rebuild

Adobe's After Effects memory and storage guide confirms that RAM cache clears when you quit, while disk cache can persist on your drive. Adobe also notes that the default maximum disk cache size is based on the volume size, up to 100 GB.

What to do first

Quit Premiere, Media Encoder, browsers, and anything chewing RAM
Use Edit > Purge > All Memory & Disk Cache
Open Settings > Media & Disk Cache and empty disk cache
Lower the maximum disk cache size if the drive is nearly full
Restart your Mac if memory pressure stays high

After Effects Media and Disk Cache preferences panel

Review shared Adobe cache with Cache Kid

After Effects often shares Adobe media cache with Premiere Pro and Media Encoder. Adobe cache commonly lives under ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Common, while disk cache can also live under Adobe cache folders in your user Library depending on settings.

Use After Effects built-in purge commands first when the app opens. Use Cache Kid when you want a broader review of Adobe and creative app cache across your Mac, with paths and sizes visible before selected items move to Trash.

Cache Kid scan results showing Adobe and After Effects cache folders

What Cache Kid will not fix

Cache Kid will not add RAM, simplify a composition, remove heavy effects, or fix broken plugins. If a single frame cannot fit into memory, After Effects may still fail even after disk cache is cleared.

What to expect after cleanup

After Effects may preview more slowly at first because it needs to rebuild cached frames. That is normal. Your .aep project and source footage are separate from disk cache.

Last verified with macOS 15 and current Adobe After Effects memory and storage guidance.

Related guide

Clear After Effects 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 After Effects cache

Cache Kid is a macOS menu bar app that scans known After Effects 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 showing After Effects disk cache path and size

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 the difference between RAM cache and disk cache?: RAM cache lives in memory and helps previews play during the current session. Disk cache is stored on your drive and can persist after you quit After Effects, so it is more likely to become a storage problem.
Will purging After Effects cache delete my composition?: No. Your .aep file and footage remain separate. After Effects may need to rebuild previews after cache is cleared.
Can Cache Kid replace After Effects cache settings?: No. Use After Effects settings for disk cache size and purge commands. Cache Kid helps review related Adobe cache files from outside the app.