Erase your Mac and reset it to factory settings - Apple Support (2024)

Use Erase All Content and Settings to quickly and safely erase all settings, data, and apps while preserving the currently installed operating system.

Usage Clear all content and settings

This feature requiresmacOS Monterey of hogeron aMac meets Apple siliconshe hasMac met Apple T2 Security-chip. Find out what you need to doif you cannot use Erase all content and settings.

macOS Ventura or later

  1. Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu  in the corner of the screen.

  2. Click General in the sidebar.

  3. On the right, click Transfer or Reset.

  4. Click Clear all content and settings.Don't see this button?

macOS Monterey

  1. Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu  in the corner of the screen.

  2. From the System Settings menu in the menu bar, select Erase all content and settings.Don't see this option?

An uninstall assistant will then open. Follow the onscreen instructions to erase your Mac and reset it to factory settings. Before the uninstallation begins, you will see an overview of all settings, media, data, and other items that will be deleted or disabled.

Your Mac will then restart and briefly display a black screen or status bar.

  • If your Mac needs to reconnect a Bluetooth accessory, such as a keyboard or mouse, you may be prompted to turn on the accessory. If the accessory does not connect within 30 seconds, turn the accessory off and then on again. When you reconnect to a Bluetooth keyboard, you will be asked to select a language.

  • You may be asked to select a Wi-Fi network or connect a network cable. Use to select a Wi-Fi networkWi-Fi-menuErase your Mac and reset it to factory settings - Apple Support (2)in the top right corner of the screen.

Your Mac will then be activated. Click Restart.

Erase your Mac and reset it to factory settings - Apple Support (3)

When your Mac restarts, a setup assistant will guide you through the installation process as if you were setting up your Mac for the first time.

If you are selling, giving away, or trading in your Mac and want to keep it ready, don't use Setup Assistant or your previously connected Bluetooth devices, if any. Just press and hold the power button on your Mac until it turns off.

If you can't use Erase All Content and Settings

Erase All Content and Settings is only available in macOS Monterey or later, and only on oneMac meets Apple siliconshe hasMac met Apple T2 Security-chip. If this feature is not available or does not work on your Mac:

If you need help,contact Apple support.

No matter the model or condition, we can make your device something good for you and good for the planet:Find out how to trade in or recycle your Mac with Apple Trade In.

Release date:

Erase your Mac and reset it to factory settings - Apple Support (2024)

FAQs

Erase your Mac and reset it to factory settings - Apple Support? ›

macOS Ventura or later

How do you fully erase and reset a Mac? ›

Choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click General in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.) Click Transfer or Reset on the right, then click Erase All Contents and Settings. In Erase Assistant, enter your administrator information and click Unlock.

How to factory reset MacBook pro when erase assistant is not supported? ›

What to do if you can't use Erase Assistant
  1. Start up your Mac in Recovery mode. ...
  2. When the macOS Utilities screen appears, choose Disk Utility.
  3. Select your boot disk you'd like to wipe, and click Erase in the toolbar.
  4. Give the disk a name, choose APFS format and click Erase Volume Group.
Jun 6, 2023

How do I reset my Mac to factory settings without System Preferences? ›

Factory reset your MacBook
  1. Enter the macOS recovery mode: turn on your Mac, then immediately press and hold the “Command” key (⌘) and the “R” key until you see an Apple logo.
  2. Enter your administrator password.
  3. In the utilities window, select “Disk utility” and click “Continue.”
  4. Select “Macintosh HD.”
Aug 11, 2023

How to hard reset a MacBook? ›

To perform a hard reset on a Mac computer, follow these steps:
  1. Click on the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen.
  2. Click on Restart.
  3. Hold down the Command and R keys as the computer restarts.
  4. Release the keys when the Apple logo appears.
  5. Select Disk Utility from the list of options.
  6. Click on Continue.
Sep 19, 2023

How to erase and factory reset a Mac and reinstall macOS step by step guide? ›

Reinstall macOS
  1. Start up your computer in macOS Recovery: ...
  2. In the Recovery app window, select Reinstall for your macOS release, then click Continue.
  3. Follow the onscreen instructions.
  4. In the settings where you select a volume, select your current macOS volume (in most cases, it's the only one available).

Will a factory reset clean my Mac? ›

When you factory reset MacBook, all the information on your hard drive is wiped off. That's why to save valuable files and data, you need to create a backup. This is like cloning your hard drive so you can keep having access to needed files.

How do I force my MacBook to factory reset? ›

From the Apple menu  in the corner of your screen, choose System Settings. Click General in the sidebar. Click Transfer or Reset on the right. Click Erase All Content and Settings.

Why wont my Mac let me erase all content and settings? ›

If the Erase All Content and Settings menu option is not showing on your Mac, that is most likely due to two reasons. Your macOS does not support Erase Assistant or your Mac is not a Mac with Apple Silicon or an Intel-based Mac with T2 Security Chip. Erase Assistant requirements are simple: MacOS Monterey or later.

What happens if I erase Mac in recovery assistant? ›

Reinstalling macOS: If you choose to reinstall macOS, it will erase the entire disk where the operating system is currently installed. This will delete all your files, applications, and user data. Make sure you have a backup before proceeding. Usi.

Why wont my Mac let me do a factory reset? ›

On some Macs, you might not see the Erase All Content & Settings option in System Settings. That's because this feature requires macOS Monterey or later, as well as either a Mac with an Apple silicon chip or with a T2 Security Chip. Apple has a list of Macs that come with the T2 chip on its website.

How to factory reset macbook pro without password or apple id? ›

Click "Shut Down" and hold both Command and R keys to enter Recovery Mode.
  1. Tip: If your Mac won't boot into Recovery Mode, check the keyboard connection or create a bootable installer on your Mac.
  2. Click the Disk Utility option.
  3. Then choose the disk named "Macintosh HD". ...
  4. Click the Erase button.
Jan 11, 2024

How do I restore my MacBook air to factory settings without a disk? ›

How to Factory Reset a Mac Using Recovery Mode
  1. Restart your Mac. ...
  2. Then press and hold the Command + R keys until you see the Apple logo appear. ...
  3. Next, select Disk Utility.
  4. Then select Continue.
  5. In the Disk Utility window, click View.
  6. Then select Show All Devices. ...
  7. Select the drive you want to erase. ...
  8. Then click Erase.
Aug 28, 2023

How do I factory reset my MacBook air without logging in? ›

How to Factory Reset MacBook Air Without Password
  1. 01:29 Press & hold the Command + R keys until the loading bar and Apple logo pop up.
  2. 01:42 Choose the "Erase" button and hit the "Erase Volume Group" if available.
  3. 01:50 Hit "Disk Utility" in the menu bar and quit it.
Jan 11, 2024

What does factory reset mean on Mac? ›

A factory reset restores a computer, smartphone, etc., back to the state it was in when it left the factory. This includes deleting all the data, apps, and settings the user changed on the device.

How to factory reset macbook pro without password or Apple ID? ›

Click "Shut Down" and hold both Command and R keys to enter Recovery Mode.
  1. Tip: If your Mac won't boot into Recovery Mode, check the keyboard connection or create a bootable installer on your Mac.
  2. Click the Disk Utility option.
  3. Then choose the disk named "Macintosh HD". ...
  4. Click the Erase button.
Jan 11, 2024

How to clean MacBook Pro? ›

Dampen a soft, lint-free cloth with water only, then use it to clean the computer's screen. To clean hard-to-remove smudges or fingerprints on the display or exterior of your Mac, you can use a cloth moistened with a 70-percent isopropyl alcohol (IPA) solution to gently wipe the display or enclosure of your Mac laptop.

How do I factory reset my Macbook Catalina? ›

how do I factory reset Mac book catalina
  1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu > Restart. ...
  2. Select Disk Utility, then click Continue.
  3. Select your startup disk on the left, then click Erase.
  4. Click the Format pop-up menu, choose an APFS or Mac OS Extended format, enter a name, then click Erase.
Nov 26, 2022

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