Before you sell or give away your computer, please submit in addition to the steps listedthis support article, follow these steps:
- raceApple Diagnostics of Apple Hardware Test. The buyer will do this (or should do that) and you don't want to be surprised by the results.
- Reset PRAMInSMC, which may contain personal information.
- If you have set a firmware password, remove it by running the Firmware Password Utility iRepairmodus.
- If you have FileVault enabled in OS X 10.7 or later,shut it down.
- If you're using Boot Camp, the partition should bedeleted.
- If you have created other data partitions on the internal drive, delete themDisk Utility.
- Delete the data partition(s) with the option tozero data. An SSD does not need to be reset.
You can not do thatlegalor transfer virtually any software downloaded from the Mac App Store to the machine's new owner, even if it was free. It containsOS X, so if you've upgraded to OS X 10.7 or later, you shouldreinstallan older operating system, either from the installation media, if applicable, or by booting into Internet Recovery Mode (option-command-Rat the boot bell.) If you installed from physical media, you will need to deliver it to the new owner.
If you are selling or donating the machine in working condition and it originally came with OSSnow leoparddisk (which you will then need to transfer with the machine). The buyer needs to understand that if they don't get the original drives from you, they won't get the included iLife programs or the Apple Hardware Test. Replacements for the original drives can be ordered fromAppel.
The new owner must re-download all software from the App Store, including OS X upgrades, under his or her Apple ID. If you've ever updated the bundled iLife programs (Garage Band, iMovie, and iPhoto) via the App Store, you won't be able to transfer them either.
Remove the machine from your list aboveregistered products. If it is still covered by an AppleCare Protection Plan, transfer coverage to the new owner by following the instructions in AppleCareConditions(under the heading 'Transfer of plan'.)
FAQs
Method 1. Factory Reset MacBook Air Automatically
- Go to the Apple Menu. ...
- From the left-hand sidebar, click on "General" followed by the Transfer or Reset option from the right-hand sidebar.
- Click on "Erase All Content and Settings". ...
- You can use Time Machine to backup the data if you want to backup.
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.
How do I restore my MacBook air to previous settings? ›
Mac with Apple silicon
- Press and hold the power button.
- Release the power button when you see Startup Options on the screen.
- Click Options.
- Type in your administrator username and password.
- Select Restore from Time Machine backup.
- Choose the date of the backup you want to restore from and follow the instructions.
A folder with a flashing question mark means that your computer's startup disk is no longer available or doesn't contain a working Mac operating system.
How do I force my MacBook air into recovery mode? ›
Accessing Recovery Mode on Your MacBook
Hold Down Command (⌘) + R: As soon as your MacBook begins to restart (you'll hear the startup chime or see the Apple logo), press and hold the Command (⌘) and R keys simultaneously. Continue holding them until the Apple logo or a spinning globe are visible.
How do I do a system restore on my MacBook air? ›
Restart your Mac. Immediately press and hold one of the following key combinations until you see the startup screen: Command-R: Start up from the built-in macOS Recovery System. Use this key combination to reinstall the latest macOS that was installed on your system, or to use the other apps in macOS Recovery.
How do I recover everything on my Mac? ›
Select Transfer from a Time Machine Backup, then click Continue. If necessary, enter the name and password you use to connect to your backup disk. You may also have to enter the password you used to encrypt the backup. Select the date and time of the backup you want to restore, then follow the onscreen instructions.
How do I force my Mac to reinstall the operating system? ›
If using any other Mac
- Command-R: When you press and hold these two keys at startup, Recovery will offer the current version of the most recently installed macOS.
- Option-Command-R: When you press and hold these three keys at startup, Recovery might offer the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.
In the Disk Utility app on your Mac, choose View > Show All Devices. If Disk Utility isn't open, click the Launchpad icon in the Dock, type Disk Utility in the Search field, then click the Disk Utility icon . In the sidebar, select the volume you want to restore, then click the Restore button .
How do I restore my Mac to its original operating system? ›
Reinstall your computer's original version of macOS (including available updates): Option-Shift-Command-R. Reinstall your current version of macOS: Command-R.
Along with erasing all settings, media, apps, and data for all accounts and volumes on the drive, the tool will also sign you out of iCloud, delete Touch ID fingerprints, disable location services, unpair Bluetooth devices, and remove Apple Wallet items.
How to reset a MacBook Air? ›
How to factory reset your MacBook automatically
- Go to the Apple menu and choose “System settings.”
- Click “General” in the sidebar.
- Click “Transfer or reset” on the right.
- Click “Erase all content and settings.”
If startup never progresses beyond an Apple logo or progress bar:
- Press and hold the power button on your Mac for up to 10 seconds, until your Mac turns off. ...
- Turn your Mac back on.
- If the issue persists, press and hold the power button until your Mac turns off. ...
- Turn your Mac back on.
The quick steps to factory reset Mac when Command + R isn't working are:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Press the Power button + Option + Command + P + R simultaneously after 10 seconds.
- It will reset the Mac.
How to Force Restart Your 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 I factory reset my MacBook Air that is locked? ›
Click "Shut Down" and hold both Command and R keys to enter Recovery Mode.
- Tip: If your Mac won't boot into Recovery Mode, check the keyboard connection or create a bootable installer on your Mac.
- Click the Disk Utility option.
- Then choose the disk named "Macintosh HD". ...
- Click the Erase button.
Press and hold the power button on your Mac for about 10 seconds. (Every Mac has a power button. On laptop computers that have Touch ID, press and hold Touch ID.) Then press and release the power button normally.
What is the command to factory reset a MacBook Air? ›
If you're reinstalling on a Mac laptop, plug in the power adapter.
- Choose Apple menu > Restart, then immediately press and hold Command-R.
- In the Recovery app window, select Disk Utility, then click Continue.
- In Disk Utility, select the volume you want to erase in the sidebar, then click Erase in the toolbar.
