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.

Does clearing Premiere media cache fix every out-of-memory warning?

No. It can help when disk space is tight, but a true memory leak or heavy project may still need a restart, update, proxy workflow, or fewer effects.

Will clearing Premiere cache delete my timeline?

No. Premiere project files and source media are separate from cache. Cache files can usually be rebuilt, although previews may take time to regenerate.

Where is Premiere media cache on Mac?

Adobe lists the common macOS media cache location as your user Library under Application Support/Adobe/Common. Premiere settings also let you inspect or change the media cache location.

Premiere Pro

Premiere Pro out of memory and media cache on Mac

Published May 2, 2026, updated May 2, 2026

Quick answer

Force quit Premiere if macOS is warning about application memory, restart if needed, then free disk space and clear Premiere media cache. Cache Kid helps review Premiere and Adobe cache folders before rebuildable files move to Trash.

Premiere Pro out of memory on Mac: 2026 cache playbook thumbnail

If Premiere Pro triggers “Your system has run out of application memory” on Mac, get the project stable first: save if you can, force quit if you have to, restart, then check storage and media cache. Clearing cache helps when disk pressure is part of the problem, but it will not fix every runaway plugin, memory leak, or timeline that is simply too heavy.

Quick fix: force quit Premiere if it is stuck, restart your Mac, free startup disk space, then clear Premiere Pro media cache from Settings > Media Cache.

Why Premiere can hit the macOS memory warning

The macOS alert appears when the system is under serious memory pressure. In Premiere, that can come from a long timeline, heavy effects, bad plugins, large exports, dynamic links, or not enough free disk space for swap.

Your sequence is not deleted when this happens. macOS is asking you to quit apps before the whole machine becomes unusable.

macOS Force Quit window showing Premiere Pro using excessive application memory

What to do first

Save the project if Premiere is still responding
Force quit Premiere if it is frozen
Restart your Mac before reopening the same timeline
Check System Settings > General > Storage
Clear media cache before opening a heavy project again

Premiere Pro Media Cache settings panel showing the Delete button

Clear Premiere Pro media cache

In Premiere Pro, open Settings > Media Cache and use Delete to remove media cache files. Adobe's current Premiere media cache guidance also confirms the manual macOS location as ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Common when Premiere is closed.

Premiere cache includes files like conformed audio and peak files. It is meant to be rebuilt, but big projects may take time to reconform the next time you open them.

Set cache to stop growing forever

Premiere can automatically delete older cache files or delete cache when it passes a size limit. Set this up in Settings > Media Cache if you edit every week. It is one of those boring settings that saves you at the worst possible time.

Shared Adobe cache matters too. Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Media Encoder can all add to Adobe Common, so a Premiere problem is not always isolated to one app.

Review Adobe cache with Cache Kid

If you want to see Adobe cache sizes before moving anything, Cache Kid scans known Premiere and Adobe cache locations and shows what it found. You choose what goes to Trash.

This is useful when you know the cache is huge but do not want to dig through hidden Library folders while a deadline is already sideways.

Cache Kid scan results showing Premiere and Adobe cache folders

What Cache Kid will not fix

Cache Kid will not fix a Premiere memory leak, broken plugin, corrupt project, or underpowered Mac. If Premiere keeps climbing to huge memory numbers after cleanup, update Premiere, disable heavy effects, try proxies, and restart before opening the project again.

Prevent the warning coming back

Set Premiere media cache to auto-delete by age or size
Keep real free space on your startup disk for swap and exports
Close After Effects, Media Encoder, and browser tabs before export
Use proxies for heavy codecs, multicam, or long 4K and 6K timelines
Review creative cache after major projects are delivered

Last verified with macOS 15 and Adobe Premiere Pro media cache guidance updated in 2026.

Related guide

Clear Premiere Pro 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 Premiere Pro cache

Cache Kid is a macOS menu bar app that scans known Premiere Pro 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 Premiere Pro cache expanded with folder details

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

Does clearing Premiere media cache fix every out-of-memory warning?: No. It can help when disk space is tight, but a true memory leak or heavy project may still need a restart, update, proxy workflow, or fewer effects.
Will clearing Premiere cache delete my timeline?: No. Premiere project files and source media are separate from cache. Cache files can usually be rebuilt, although previews may take time to regenerate.
Where is Premiere media cache on Mac?: Adobe lists the common macOS media cache location as your user Library under Application Support/Adobe/Common. Premiere settings also let you inspect or change the media cache location.