Restore Mac/MacBook Pro to factory settings without data loss (2024)

Usually, Mac users, especially MacBook Pro users whose screen freezes or devices don't work properly, often wonder, "How to reset Mac without losing data". The good news is that it is entirely possible to reset your Mac/Macbook Pro and still keep your data safe. This article discusses in detail all the necessary steps required to make this possible. Read more.

Will I lose everything if I reinstall macOS?

Simply reinstalling macOS will not delete your data. In general, reinstalling macOS only has something to do with the operating system and not with the data stored on the computer. However, it is always advisable to backup your data before reinstalling.

How to reset a Mac/Macbook without data loss

Since we have already established that you can reset your Mac/MacBook without data loss, let's jump straight into the steps involved in this process.

Back up your data

This is the first and most important step if you want to reset your Mac/MacBook, especially MacBook Pro. There is a built-in feature on the Mac called Time Machine. The Time Machine feature makes it easy to backup all your files, but this requires you to keep the backup on an external storage device. You can choose to make a total backup of all data stored on your computer, or you can choose the files you want to save. The processes involved in backing up your data are:

• First, connect an external drive to your Mac where the backup will be stored. A pop-up will appear after you; BillEncrypt the backup drivebox and then clickUse as a backup drive.

• If there was no pop-up after connecting the external drive, go toSystem preferenceson Time Machine and selectSelect Backup Disk. A list will appear. Select the backup drive from the list and then clickUse Disk.

• click onBack-upnrfrom the Time Machine menu and the backup will start.

Log out of your account and disable necessary features

When you prepare your Mac for the reset, sign out of all apps and licenses you've been using. The steps in this process are:

Sign out of iTunes

You need to deauthorize your iTunes. To do this, open iTunes on your Mac/MacBook and then go toAccount > Authorizations > Deauthorize this computer. Finally, enter your Apple ID and password and clickRemove authorization.

Sign out of iCloud

You will also need to sign out of your iCloud account. To do this, open the Apple menu and then clickSystem preferences. Then go to iCloud and clicklog out. You will then need to confirm your deletion of data.

Disable File Safe

Disabling File Vault is also part of this. Go to to disable itSystem preferencesin the Apple menu. Then selectSecurity and privacyand then selectFile vault. Unlock the lock icon, enter your administrative credentials and disable File Safe.

Sign out of iMessage

To log out of iMessage, open iMessage and select from the menu barTo report. Make a selection from the drop-down menu that appearsPreferencesand then select your iMessage account. Then clicklog out.

Reset NVRAM

Resetting NVRAM on your Mac/MacBook will erase your settings from memory and if you have changed some security features, they will be restored. To reset it, turn your MacBook Pro off and then back on. After turning on the device, press immediatelyOption, Command, P and Rkeys together and hold them down. After approx. Release the keys after 20 seconds.

Clear Touch Bar data

To clear the Touch Bar data, click the Apple icon in the top left corner of the menu bar and then selectRestarting. Then immediately hold downCommando + Rand only release the keys when you see the Apple logo. ClickUtilitiesand then selectTerminal. then write"xartutil --remove all"and busyyield. then write"In"when asked if you want to remove the Touch Bar and pressyield. Then clickTerminalin the top menu bar and then exit.

Reset uw Mac/MacBook

Now you can follow the steps below to reset your iMac/Mac mini/Mac Pro/MacBook Pro/MacBook Air without data loss.

• Turn on your Mac and then immediately press and holdCommand (⌘) in R. Don't release the keys until you see the Apple logo or the Utilities window.

• To electDisk UtilitythenGet on.

• Then selectMacintoshHDin the Disk Utility sidebar.

• Select in the top rowTo deleteand format it as APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

• ClickTo deleteofDelete volume groupagain and confirm your action.

Once everything is done, you can reinstall macOS via Disk Utility and use your Mac/MacBook as a new device.

Restore your backup

The last step in resetting your Mac/MacBook without data loss is to restore the backup data to your computer. For this, you need to use the external hard drive where you previously backed up the data. The steps involved include:

• Connect the external hard drive containing the backup to your iMac/Mac mini/Mac Pro/MacBook Pro/MacBook Air and then turn it on.

• Start the Migration Assistant by going toFinder > Applications > Utilities > Migration Assistantand then clickGet on.

• In the Migration Assistant, selectFrom a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup diskand then clickGet on.

• click onGet onafter you select your Time Machine backup.

• Select the backup you created from the list of available backups.

• Select the category(ies) you want to transfer and then clickGet on. Then all you have to do is wait for the process to complete.

Now you have completed all the necessary steps to reset Mac/MacBook without data loss. Just enjoy it as the new device!

What should you do if you have no backup or lose data during the process?

If this is the case, thenAnyRecover datagendannelsessoftwareis the best option for you. This software is designed so that anyone who has deleted or lost their files can recover data with just a few simple steps. It supports more than 1000 file formats and is available on Mac and Windows.

The steps to recover lost data after resetting Mac/MacBook are:

Select a location from the list displayed on the displayed interface after launching the AnyRecover software and then clickBegin.

The software then performs a comprehensive and in-depth scan of your selected location. There is a progress bar where you can monitor the scan and you can also pause or stop the scan during the process.

The files will be displayed correctly when the scan is complete. To view the file, double-click it. A pop-up window will appear where you can view the file. You can then click throughTo recoverif that's the file you need.

Conclusion

This article explains in detail that it is possible to reset your iMac/Mac mini/Mac Pro/MacBook Pro/MacBook Air perfectly and keep your data. But if you lose data during this process and want to get it back, useAnyRecover-softwareis the best way for you. AnyRecover is malware free and offers you a high success rate in data recovery. Just download and try!