How to Factory Reset a Mac?

Are you ready to give away your trusted Mac device to your siblings or sell it to a new owner? Factory resetting your Mac requires a lot of necessary measures that need to be taken to ensure a smooth journey. In this guide, we will navigate you through all the steps that need to be taken to ensure a smooth resetting process. While at it, take preventive measures to ensure all your data is secure in one place. 

So, before you finalise the deal and give it away, here’s a list of things you must do! Let’s dive in and find out. 

Before You Reset Your Mac, Here’s What You Need to do

Back-Up Your Data

Start by backing up your data on your Mac. There are two ways to do this: the first is copying all your files in a USB or a hard drive, and the other is through the iCloud backup. If you have been using an iCloud account, your photos, contacts, email, and documents get back up automatically in your iCloud storage. 

However, according to experts, one should also take time to carry out the Time Machine Backup using the external drive. This way, you can use the same backup amount for Apple’s migration assistant during the installation of the macOS, which will allow you to transfer your files, your previous settings, and even apps to the new one immediately. 

Disengage Your Applications

While some applications might be unlinked automatically, there are apps that you need to unlink manually. If you have bought some licenses online or subscriptions, you need to cancel all of them on the third-party apps before you reset your Mac and move on to a newer system. It’s also important to de-authorize your iTunes account because it ensures no one can access your App Store, iBooks, music, apps, or TV shows. 

Signing Out Of Your iCloud Account

Singing out of your iCloud and disabling the Find My Mac is important when resetting your macOS. This will ensure the device won’t link anything or anyone to your account. To do this, follow the step-by-step guide below:

1. Click on the Apple symbol, which is present on the left corner of your Mac’s screen. 
2. Then, from the options that appear, choose the System Preferences. 
3. Now click on the iCloud in the menu that appears. 
4. Start by unticking all the boxes on the list; this will erase all the copies of the linked data on your Mac. 
5. Sign out, voila, you’re done!

Unpairing Bluetooth Devices

It’s crucial to unpair all your Bluetooth devices and to do that; you’ll have to:  

1. Open the System Preferences menu and choose Bluetooth. 
2. Right-click or control-click on the device you want to unpair
3. Select the remove option from the pop-up menu, which appears on the screen. 
4. And now your device has no names of any of the Bluetooths you have linked to previously. 

Resetting NVRAM and P-RAM

PRAM, also known as the Parameter Random Access Memory or the NVRAM, which is the Non-Volatile Random Access Memory, assists users in erasing the settings to restore the default security on their Mac. To reset, follow the steps below:

1. Start by shutting down your computer and then turning it on while simultaneously holding the Command, Option, and the P and R keys.
2.  The minute you hear a sound, release all the keys. 
3. For users with an Apple T2 security chip, release your keys when the logo appears and disappears twice. 
4. And you’re done!

Learning How to  Resetting and Erasing Data From Your Mac

After you’ve followed all the steps, we have provided above and taken the necessary measures. It’s now time you erase all the data from your Mac’s drive and reset your device to the factory default settings. To do that, we advise you to follow the steps we have stated below:

1. An Apple sign is on the top left corner of your Mac screen. Click on it!
2. A menu appears displaying different choices; choose Restart. 
3. Now press the Command and R keys when you hear your Mac’s tone indicating that it’s about to reboot your device. 
4. Then the Utilities screen pops up; from the menu, choose Disk Utility. Select the drive under Macintosh HD, then click the Erase option. 
5. Then, choose the Format option, either APFS or Mac Extended. And then click on erase. 
6. A prompt will appear confirming your choice. After you have chosen Yes, you will have to wait until the formatting is done. 
7. Now close the Disk Utility and then click on the Reinstall macOS. 

After following the steps mentioned above, it’s essential to follow the prompts that ensure smooth installation. Continue until the Setup Assistant shows up on your screen. Then Press the Command and Q keys simultaneously to shut your Mac. 

That’s all you need! Your Mac is now ready to be sold, or you can set it up as a new device and even restore your backups. 

How to Factory Reset a Mac in Recovery Mode 

If your Mac is in recovery mode, here’s how you can factory reset it:

1. To begin the reset process, restart your computer and then press and hold onto the R key and the Command key at the same time. 
2. Release it after you see the Apple logo. 
3. In the Disk Utility menu, tap View and click the View all devices option. 
4. Now, choose the Top Drive. 
5. Then click on Erase, fill out the needed details, and then click on Erase again. 
6. Now, leave the Disk Utility, and then reinstall the macOS on your computer.
7. After this, restart your Mac by clicking on the Apple icon on the top-left corner and then select restart. 

Bottom Line

To summarise it all, the factory resettings on your Mac is a task that involves crucial steps. It’s essential you read this article thoroughly and review all the instructions we provided. Data sure is critical, and if you’re planning to resell your Mac, it’s vital to get rid of all your personal information, documents, and any essential or non-essential files. You never know who might link any details to you and then use it to your disadvantage. 

We have provided you with the before and after steps so you can move further and complete the setup smoothly. 

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