How to Factory Reset Mac?

Mac computers are known for their reliability. However, like all computers, they can experience issues.

Before investing in a new Mac, consider a factory reset. This process erases your computer and installs a fresh macOS.

It's also essential for securely preparing your old Mac for a new user, ensuring no personal data remains accessible.

For years, wiping and reinstalling macOS on Intel-based Macs has been consistent.

However, the transition to Apple Silicon has introduced slight changes to this method.

With macOS Monterey, some computers now offer the option to erase all data and settings directly from the System Settings menu.

Once you reset your computer, any deleted data left on the drive cannot be recovered.

If you still need your data, it's best to back it up using Time Machine or by syncing files to iCloud beforehand.

Here's a guide on how to erase your disk drive and reinstall MacOS.

Use Erase Assistant to Remove All Data

You can utilize the Erase Assistant tool to wipe data on recent Mac models using macOS Monterey or newer, whether Apple Silicon-based or Intel-based with the Apple T2 chip.

In macOS Ventura or later versions, navigate to “Erase All Content and Settings.”

Erase Assistant involves entering your admin password and reviewing what will be removed.

It wipes all settings, media, apps, and data across all accounts and volumes on the drive.

Additionally, it signs you out of iCloud, deletes Touch ID fingerprints, disables location services, unpairs Bluetooth devices, and removes Apple Wallet items.

Before proceeding, you can create a Time Machine backup by clicking Open Time Machine, ensuring your data is safely stored on an external device like a hard drive.

After entering your Apple ID password to sign out, allow the erase process to complete.

Your Mac will then revert to its factory settings.

If you intend to keep using the computer, you can begin the setup process anew, similar to when you first set up your Mac.

 Use Disk Utility

To erase your Mac and reinstall macOS using Disk Utility, start by accessing macOS Recovery. The method depends on your Mac's chip:

• Mac Intel T2 chip or Apple Silicon: Power off, then press the power button until “Loading startup options” appear. Choose Options for recovery.

• Intel-based Mac without T2: Restart and hold Command + R until the Apple logo shows. Release to boot into Recovery.

For frozen computers, use the Control + Command + power button shortcut if standard resets fail.

After accessing macOS Recovery, choose an administrator user and enter their credentials.

Next, open Disk Utility from the recovery screen. If you've created extra volumes, delete them by selecting the partition and clicking the minus (-) button.

Then, select your main drive, like Macintosh HD, and click Erase in the top toolbar to proceed.

After clicking Erase, a dialog box will appear to name the drive and choose APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format.

Select Erase Volume Group (or Erase if needed) to clean the drive.

To exit Disk Utility, go to Disk Utility, then Quit Disk Utility and return to the Recovery screen.

If you're selling the computer, you can stop here for the new owner to install macOS.

For those keeping their Mac, proceed by reinstalling macOS.

Ensure your Mac is plugged in and connected to the internet. From macOS Utilities, select Reinstall macOS and follow the prompts to download and install the operating system.

If you backed up files on an external device using Time Machine, you can restore them using the Migration Assistant during reinstallation.

Choose to transfer data from a Mac or Time Machine backup, then follow the steps to restore.

If you prefer not to restore now, return to macOS Recovery and select Restore From Time Machine Backup. Pick the right backup from the list to reinstall your saved files.

Importance of Backing Up Your Files

Before initiating a factory reset on your Mac, it's crucial to back up all your important data.

This step ensures you don't lose valuable documents, photos, music, or other files during resetting.

Backing up your data provides a safety net, allowing you to restore everything to your Mac once the reset is complete.

Whether you use Time Machine, iCloud, or an external hard drive, ensuring a comprehensive backup is essential to maintaining your workflow and preserving your digital memories.

Methods to Safely Backup Your Data

Several methods exist to safely back up your data before factory resetting your Mac.

One of the most popular options is Time Machine, Apple's built-in backup solution that creates incremental backups of your entire system.

Setting up a Time Machine requires an external storage device, such as an external hard drive or a network-attached (NAS) device.

Alternatively, iCloud offers seamless syncing of files across your devices, ensuring that your most important data is stored safely in the cloud. 

For users needing more control or additional storage capacity, external drives provide a straightforward solution for backing up large volumes of data quickly and securely.

By choosing the right backup method that fits your needs, you can proceed with confidence, knowing that your data is protected and ready for restoration after completing the factory reset on your Mac.