The short answer
Yes. Rebuilt or re-downloaded automatically when needed.
What is it?
pip caches downloaded packages and wheels it has built in ~/Library/Caches/pip, so installing the same package again is faster. It is shared by all Python environments and can reach a few gigabytes, especially with large packages such as machine-learning libraries.
What happens if you delete it?
pip downloads or rebuilds packages the next time you install them, which can be slow for packages that need compiling. Installed packages in your environments are not affected.
How to remove it properly
Run pip cache purge in Terminal (or python3 -m pip cache purge), pip’s own command, or move ~/Library/Caches/pip to the Trash. pip cache info shows its size first.
Quit the app that uses it, then move it to the Trash. Empty the Trash when you’re sure.
How MoreRoom helps
MoreRoom recognises this item, shows its real size and when it was last used, and labels it “Safe to remove”. In the free version you can move it to the Trash in one click, with Undo; Pro collects every safe item at once.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to delete the pip cache on Mac?
Yes. Rebuilt or re-downloaded automatically when needed. pip downloads or rebuilds packages the next time you install them, which can be slow for packages that need compiling. Installed packages in your environments are not affected.
Will pip cache come back after I delete it?
Yes. pip downloads or rebuilds packages the next time you install them, which can be slow for packages that need compiling. Installed packages in your environments are not affected.
How do I remove pip cache properly?
Run pip cache purge in Terminal (or python3 -m pip cache purge), pip’s own command, or move ~/Library/Caches/pip to the Trash. pip cache info shows its size first.