# Is it safe to delete the minikube cache (~/.minikube/cache)?

- URL: https://moreroom.app/folders/minikube-cache
- Item: minikube image cache
- Location: `~/.minikube/cache`
- Verdict: Safe to remove — Rebuilt or re-downloaded automatically when needed.
- Comes back on its own: yes
- Typical size: 1–10 GB
- Source: MoreRoom rules catalogue (2026-10-17), by Yando Pte. Ltd.

## What is it?

minikube, the local Kubernetes tool, keeps downloaded files in `~/.minikube/cache`: Kubernetes binaries, preloaded image tarballs, VM ISOs and container images. A new set is added for each Kubernetes version you try. Typically a few GB.

## What happens if you delete it?

minikube downloads what it needs again the next time you run `minikube start`, which makes that start slower. Your clusters are not stored here.

## How to remove it properly

Move the folder to the Trash in Finder (Go › Go to Folder… `~/.minikube/cache`). `minikube delete --all --purge` goes further and removes every cluster and the whole `~/.minikube` folder.