Here’s a look at what’s involved when you perform a factory reset on your Mac.
What’s Involved in a Factory Reset
Whether you’re preparing your Mac for a new owner or simply starting fresh with your system after troubleshooting has failed, you need to follow several steps to perform a factory reset: back up your computer, disable certain features and services, erase the hard drive, and then reinstall a fresh version of macOS. Afterward, depending on your circumstances, you may want to migrate personal data to a new Mac.
Create a Backup of the System
Your Mac is full of important files and data, so it’s important to make a backup before you proceed with the factory reset process. It’s easy to make a backup with Time Machine. If you’re using iCloud, it’s even easier to ensure all your data is backed up. Here’s a look at the backup process with Time Machine and iCloud.
Create a Backup Using Time Machine
To create a Time Machine backup, you need an external storage device such as a NAS device or a simple external hard drive connected directly to your Mac, such as a USB, Thunderbolt, or FireWire drive. If Time Machine doesn’t automatically ask to use your drive, add it manually. Once you add your drive, Time Machine can start making backups.
iCloud Backup
If you already have iCloud and iCloud Drive set up on your Mac, your important files may already be backed up. iCloud keeps your critical personal data synced across your devices as well as backed up in the cloud. This includes contacts, calendar data, notes, mail files, and other files that you select. iCloud Drive stores everything else, including your Desktop and Documents folders, in macOS Sierra and above. To check on your iCloud and iCloud Drive settings:
Sign Out of iTunes
Signing out of iTunes is important so that your computer is no longer linked to your iTunes account. The process differs depending on your version of macOS, but you can typically deauthorize one computer without deauthorizing your other devices.
Signing Out of iTunes in Catalina and Later
With Catalina, you access the iTunes Store via the Music app.
If You’re Using macOS Mojave or Earlier
Turn Off FileVault
FileVault is a disk encryption program available in Mac OS X 10.3 and later. It’s not turned on by default, but if you’re using it, it’s a good idea to turn it off.
Sign Out of iCloud
Now it’s time to sign out of iCloud.
Sign Out of iMessage
If you’re using OS X Mountain Lion or later, sign out of iMessage.
Unpair Paired Bluetooth Devices
This step is optional, but it’s a good idea to unpair Bluetooth devices, such as keyboards, mice, and trackpads, currently paired with your Mac.
Restart Your Mac in Recovery Mode
Erase Your Disk
We’ll first look at this process in Catalina, because this macOS adds a second data volume.
If You’re Using Catalina
If You’re Using Mojave or Earlier
In these macOS versions, there’s no additional volume to delete.
‘Erase Content and Settings’ in macOS Monterey and Later
If your Mac is running macOS Monterey (12.0) or newer, you have another option. The “erase all content and settings” option in System Preferences lets you quickly and securely remove all of your information and the apps you’ve downloaded. This process is faster because it only gets rid of your stuff; it doesn’t remove macOS. Along with the speed with deleting, it’s also faster to get the Mac set up again because you (or the person you sell it to) won’t have to reinstall the operating system. After you’ve wiped the drive clean and reinstalled macOS (if applicable), the Mac restarts to a Welcome screen and asks you to choose a country or region. If you’re selling or giving away the system, don’t continue the setup process. Rather, press Command+Q to shut down the machine. The setup assistant will guide the new owner on the process.
