Hard Reset Mac [possible new plans in 2024] (2024)

PAGE CONTENTS:

Rescue data from your Mac that needs to be reset
Pan 1. How to hard reset Mac in macOS recovery mode
Plan 2. Hard reset Mac using Erase Assistant on macOS Ventura/Monterey

Mac hard reset overview

INhard reset macmay be necessary if your Mac is experiencing issues such as freezing, slow performance, or software errors. You can reset your computer's hardware and software by performing a hard reset and this may resolve the problem. Some situations where a hard reset may be necessary include:

  • When your Mac freezes or has other problemsMac startup problemsa hard reset can help resolve the problem and restore normal operation.
  • If your Mac is running slowly or experiencing software errors, a hard reset can help eliminate any issues and improve performance.
  • When you plan to sell or give away your Mac, perform a factory reset, also called a hard resetmacOS is coming, deletes all your data and restores the computer to its original factory settings.
  • If your Mac has a problem that normal troubleshooting methods cannot resolve, hard resetting the Mac Ventura/Monterey can restore the computer to normal operation.

You can also learn how to reset a Mac to factory settings by watching the following video.

  • 0:51 You will need to enter your Mac password to start the procedure.
  • 01:00 Learn how to sign out of your Apple ID on your Mac.
  • 01:21 Learn how to reset a 2017 or earlier version of a Mac.
  • 01:50 Learn how to install macOS on your older version of Mac.

Rescue data from your Mac that needs to be reset

Because a hard reset willdelete all content and settings, it is always a good idea to backup your data before performing a hard reset. To backup your data on Mac reliably, you need a professional data recovery and backup tool. And if you're looking for one, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is the best choice!

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Macis powerful and reliable data recovery software specially designed for Mac users. It can help usersrecover deleted files macfrom their Mac's hard drive or external storage devices, including photos, videos, documents and more. This software can be used in various situations such as when a user accidentally deletes important files, experiences a hard drive failure or needs to recover data from a formatted or inaccessible drive.

Download up to MacmacOS 14 - 10.9  Also available for Windows

Most important features

  • Supports recovery of various files including photos, videos, documents and more.
  • Advanced scanning algorithms to recover lost or deleted files quickly and efficiently
  • Preview files before they are restored so they can choose which files to restore and which to leave behind.
  • The user-friendly interface allows users to navigate and perform data recovery with ease.

Now that you know what EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is and why you need to backup your Mac data, you are probably wondering how to use this tool. To understand it, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Search for lost files

Select the drive location to search for lost files (it can be internal HDD/SSD or external hard drive) where you lost data and files. Click the “Search for Lost Files” button.

Remark:Before recovering data, you'd better click "Disk Backup" on the left sidebar to backup your HDD/SSD to prevent further data loss. After the backup, the software can recover data from your disk backup and you can use the HDD or SSD again.

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Step 2. View the scan results

This software immediately scans your selected disk volume and displays images, documents, audios, videos and emails in the left panel.

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Step 3. Select the files and recover them

Click on the data to view it and click the "Recover" button to get it back.

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Pan 1. How to hard reset Mac in macOS recovery mode

Hard resetting a Mac can help resolve issues like slow performance, software bugs, etc. One way to reset a Mac is to use macOS recovery mode. This mode allows you to do thatReinstall macOS, repair the disk with Disk Utility,system restore macor even wipe your Mac's hard drive. Before proceeding with a hard reset, it is advisable to backup your data as the process may erase all data on Mac.

First enter recovery mode, which you can learn from the following:

Recovery mode on an Intel-based Mac: Restart your Mac and hold down Command + R until the Apple logo appears. Release the keys when you see the macOS Utilities screen.

Recovery mode on a silicon-based Mac: Turn off your Mac. Press and hold the power button until the startup settings window appears. Release the Power button and hold down the Command + Option + R keys. Release the keys when you see the Apple logo or spinning globe.

Remark: On some Mac models, you may need to press and hold the Power button, press and hold the Volume Up or Down button, and then press and hold the Power button again to enter recovery mode.

Using the Disk Utility option

After entering recovery mode on your Mac, it's time to hard reset your Mac. Follow the steps below to understand how to hard reset your Mac using the Disk Utility option:

Trin 1.click onMac Disk Utilityoption in recovery mode.

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Trin 2.In the next window, locate and select the drive named Macintosh HD.

Remark:Macintosh HD is the startup disk. However, if you have renamed it before, locate and select the renamed drive.

Trin 3.Now click Delete in the pop-up window and your Mac will be reset.

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Using the macOS option, reinstall

Follow the steps below to understand how to hard reset your Mac using the Reinstall MacOS option:

Trin 1: In recovery mode, click Reinstall macOS [version].

Remark: [version] indicates the current version of your Mac. It may vary for different users.

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Trin 2: Now click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions to select the drive and reset your Mac.

Plan 2. Hard reset Mac using Erase Assistant on macOS

Another option to reset Mac is Erase Assistant. Mac's Erase All Contents and Settings is a robust feature known as Erase Assistant. This handy feature allows Mac users to completely erase their devices and return to Apple's default configuration. You can trust Erase Assistant to help you erase all your data and applications permanently.

Since finding Erase Assistant or Ease, not all content and settings are the samemacOS Monterey in Ventura, we've covered the guides for both:

To access Erase Assistant on macOS Monterey:

Trin 1.Click on the Apple logo in the main menu.

Trin 2.Select System Preferences from the drop-down menu.

Trin 3.From the System Preferences drop-down menu, click Clear all content and settings

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To access Erase Assistant on macOS Ventura:

Trin 1: Click the Apple logo in the main menu and select System Preferences.

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Trin 2: Now click General and select Transfer or Reset from the General window.

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Trin 3: Click Clear all contents and settings in the Transfer or Reset window.

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Once you have opened the Erase Assistant on your macOS Monterey/Ventura, follow these steps to hard reset your Mac:

Trin 1.Enter the password for your Mac and click ContinueMac Time Machine-back-upthe screen.

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Trin 2.Now log out of your Apple ID by clicking Continue and entering the Apple ID and password.

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Trin 3: Then click Erase All Contents and Settings in the pop-up window to confirm. Wait for the procedure to complete and click Restart to successfully reset your Mac.

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Although Mac is very powerful and reliable for business use and other purposes, it sometimes suffers from performance and software issues. In these situations, it is recommended to hard reset your Mac. And we hope you will know how to hard reset Mac after reading this article. If you want to recover or backup your Mac data before factory reset, download EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac today!

Download up to MacmacOS 14 - 10.9  Also available for Windows

Frequently asked questions about Mac hard reset

After understanding how to hard reset Mac, people usually have some general questions. You will find answers to these questions here:

1. Does a hard reset on Mac erase everything?

Does a factory reset erase everything? Yes,factory reset macOSerases every bit of data on your MacBook. So it is recommended to backup your data before doing a hard reset with a powerful and professional tool like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac.

2. Can I hard reset my Mac without a password?

Yes, that's possiblefactory reset mac without passwordby putting it in recovery mode and then clicking Reinstall macOS or Disk Utility. You can perform a factory reset by following the instructions.

3. How do I force a hard reset on my Mac?

Follow these steps to force a hard reset on your Mac:

  1. 1. Enter recovery mode on your Mac.
  2. 2. Click Reinstall macOS and click Continue.
  3. 3. Follow the onscreen instructions to reset your Mac.

4. How do I reset my Mac automatically?

Use Erase Assistant to reset your Mac automatically. Follow the steps below to understand how to hard reset your Mac using Erase Assistant.

  1. 1. Open the Erase Assistant on your Mac.
  2. 2. Sign out of your Apple ID by clicking Continue and entering your Apple ID and password.
  3. 3. Then select Erase all content and settings from the pop-up window and click Restart.
Hard Reset Mac [possible new plans in 2024] (2024)

FAQs

How to factory reset Mac 2024? ›

Erase your Mac
  1. Choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click General in the sidebar. ...
  2. Click Transfer or Reset on the right, then click Erase All Contents and Settings. ...
  3. In Erase Assistant, enter your administrator information and click Unlock.
  4. Review items that will be removed in addition to your content and settings.

How to factory reset MacBook air without password 2024? ›

How to factory reset a MacBook without a password
  1. Boot your Mac into recovery mode. ...
  2. Once your Mac has booted in recovery mode and you can see the macOS Utilities screen, choose Disk Utility.
  3. When Disk Utility opens, choose your Mac's boot disk in the sidebar. ...
  4. Click Erase in the toolbar. ...
  5. Click Erase.
Apr 23, 2024

How to reset MacBook password 2024? ›

How to change your MacBook password
  1. From the Apple menu, go to “System Preferences.”
  2. Select “Users & Groups.”
  3. Click the “Info” button next to your username.
  4. Next to the password field, click “Change…”
  5. Enter your current password in the “Old Password” field.
  6. Enter your new password in the “New Password” field.
Feb 28, 2024

Does a hard reset on Mac erase everything? ›

Yes, a factory reset deletes everything on your MacBook Pro/Air: all data, including documents, photos, videos and other personal files, applications, settings, and user accounts.

How do I force a hard Reset on my Mac? ›

Press and hold down the Command (⌘) and Control (Ctrl) keys along with the power button (or the ‌Touch ID‌ / Eject button, depending on the Mac model) until the screen goes blank and the machine restarts.

How do you erase all content and settings on a Mac? ›

  1. Click the Apple () symbol in the menu bar and select System Settings (System Preferences... if you're not running macOS Ventura or later).
  2. If you're running macOS Ventura or later, select General in the sidebar, then choose Transfer or Reset -> Erase All Content and Settings....
Nov 20, 2023

Can you factory reset a MacBook without the Apple ID and password? ›

If you want to factory reset your Mac without passwords, you need to enter the Recovery Mode first and then use the Disk Utility to erase and reinstall Mac.

How to factory reset a MacBook Pro with a password? ›

Shut down your Mac, then start up from macOS recovery as described previously. When asked to select an admin user you know the password for, choose Recovery Assistant > Erase Mac from the menu bar. From the Erase Mac window, click Erase Mac, then click Erase Mac to confirm.

How do you unlock a Mac if you forgot the password? ›

Restart your Mac and hold down the Command and R keys until you see the Apple logo. From the Utilities menu, pick 'Terminal'. Type 'resetpassword' and hit enter. Follow the instructions on the screen to reset your password.

Can you reset a Mac without the admin password? ›

Press and hold ‍the Command and R keys together ⁤and⁢ press the power button. This should initiate ‍the MacOS Utilities window. Format ⁤the hard drive. Go ⁣to the‌ Utilities⁤ window, select‌ the “Disk Utility” option, select the hard drive, and​ click on the “Erase” button.

How to unlock a MacBook? ›

If you can't remember that passcode, you have three options: Sign in to iCloud.com/find, then select your Mac from the Devices menu. Select Unlock and follow the steps to verify your identity. Unlock your Mac from your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple Watch using your device passcode.

How to factory reset a MacBook 2024? ›

How to Reset MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Macs
  1. Open the Settings app on your Mac and click General in the sidebar.
  2. Now, locate and click the Transfer or Reset option on the right.
  3. Here, click on Erase All Contents and Settings.
  4. Now, enter your Mac's Password and click the Unlock button to access the Erase Assistant.

Is it good to factory reset your Mac? ›

Before you spend big on a new Mac, though, try a factory reset, which wipes your computer and reinstalls a clean version of macOS. A factory reset is also the best way to prepare your old computer for a new owner to make sure no leftover data falls into the wrong hands.

Can I reset my Mac without losing everything? ›

You can use macOS Recovery, the built-in recovery system on your Mac, to reinstall macOS. macOS Recovery keeps your files and user settings intact when reinstalling.

Will a factory reset clean my Mac? ›

Before you spend big on a new Mac, though, try a factory reset, which wipes your computer and reinstalls a clean version of macOS. A factory reset is also the best way to prepare your old computer for a new owner to make sure no leftover data falls into the wrong hands.

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

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.
May 13, 2024

How do I Reset my Mac terminal to factory settings? ›

Fix 1. Factory Reset Terminal on Mac with Reset Option
  1. You need to open the Terminal application on your macOS.
  2. The shell option must be tapped on, located in the menu bar.
  3. Now, hit the "Reset" option from the menu; otherwise, you may type on your Mac keyboard the option+command+R key.
Mar 19, 2024

How do I boot my Mac into Reset mode? ›

Immediately press and hold one of the following key combinations until you see the startup screen:
  1. Command-R: Start up from the built-in macOS Recovery System. ...
  2. Option-Command-R: Start up from macOS Recovery over the internet. ...
  3. Option-Shift-Command-R: Start up from macOS Recovery over the internet.

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