{"id":451594,"date":"2022-05-23T20:00:35","date_gmt":"2022-05-23T17:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/how-to-factory-reset-a-macbook-air-macbook-pro-or-any-mac\/"},"modified":"2022-05-23T20:00:35","modified_gmt":"2022-05-23T17:00:35","slug":"how-to-factory-reset-a-macbook-air-macbook-pro-or-any-mac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-to-factory-reset-a-macbook-air-macbook-pro-or-any-mac\/","title":{"rendered":"#How to Factory Reset a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or Any Mac"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a245dfa80504\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a245dfa80504\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-to-factory-reset-a-macbook-air-macbook-pro-or-any-mac\/#%E2%80%9CHow_to_Factory_Reset_a_MacBook_Air_MacBook_Pro_or_Any_Mac%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;How to Factory Reset a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or Any Mac&#8221;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-to-factory-reset-a-macbook-air-macbook-pro-or-any-mac\/#Requirements_And_Tips_for_Older_Macs\" >Requirements (And Tips for Older Macs)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-to-factory-reset-a-macbook-air-macbook-pro-or-any-mac\/#How_to_Erase_all_Content_and_Settings_on_a_Newer_Mac\" >How to Erase all Content and Settings on a Newer Mac<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-to-factory-reset-a-macbook-air-macbook-pro-or-any-mac\/#How_to_Factory_Reset_an_Older_Mac\" >How to Factory Reset an Older Mac<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CHow_to_Factory_Reset_a_MacBook_Air_MacBook_Pro_or_Any_Mac%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;How to Factory Reset a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or Any Mac&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"type:primaryImage alignnone size-full wp-image-736128\" data-pagespeed-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/mac_finder_hero_1200x675.jpg?width=398&amp;trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1 400w, https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/mac_finder_hero_1200x675.jpg?width=1198&amp;trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, 400w, 1200w\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/mac_finder_hero_1200x675.jpg?width=1198&amp;trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>With macOS 12 Monterey or later on certain Macs, you can easily erase and reset your computer using a built-in feature called \u201cErase Assistant\u201d you can find in System Preferences. Here\u2019s how to do it.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Requirements_And_Tips_for_Older_Macs\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_requirements\">Requirements (And Tips for Older Macs)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Starting with macOs Monterey (macOS 12), released in 2021, System Preferences now has an \u201cErase All Content and Settings\u201d option similar to the ones <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/756806\/how-to-factory-reset-an-iphone-or-ipad\/\">found on the iPhone and iPad. It only shows up if your Mac incorporates a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/HT208862\">T2 Security Chip<\/a> or runs on <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/HT211814\">Apple Silicon<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If you have a Mac running a version of macOS older than macOS Monterey\u2014or your Mac lacks the hardware features mentioned above\u2014you\u2019ll need to perform a more complex series of steps to factory reset your Mac, such as reinstalling a copy of macOS from Recovery mode. Luckily, we\u2019ve laid out how to do that in a separate article aimed at older machines, but we will also <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#moka_anchor_reset_older_mac\">cover the process briefly below<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Alternatively, if the Mac you want to wipe includes a T2 chip or Apple Silicon and supports upgrading to macOS Monterey or later, you could perform the OS update first before using the \u201cErase All Content and Settings\u201d feature to wipe your Mac.<\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED:<\/strong> <strong><em>How to Update Your Mac and Keep Apps Up to Date<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Erase_all_Content_and_Settings_on_a_Newer_Mac\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_erase_content\">How to Erase all Content and Settings on a Newer Mac<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you have a Mac that uses Apple Silicon or has a T2 Security Chip running macOS Monterey or later, you can quickly wipe your Mac using System Preferences. To get started, click the Apple icon on the menu bar in the upper-left corner of the screen. In the menu that appears, select \u201cSystem Preferences.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-716718\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/mac_big_sur_open_system_preferences.jpg?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"\" width=\"650\" height=\"166\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>When System Preferences opens, ignore the window that appears and look at top of the screen again. Click \u201cSystem Preferences\u201d in the menu bar and choose \u201cErase All Content and Settings\u201d in the menu.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-806396\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/choose_erase_all_content_and_settings.jpg?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"\" width=\"650\" height=\"272\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>An app called \u201cErase Assistant\u201d will open and will ask you for an administrator\u2019s account name and password. You can type the name and password of any local account on your Mac that has <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/311051\/how-to-set-up-multiple-user-accounts-in-macos\/\">Administrator privileges.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-806408\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/erase_assistant_password.jpg?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"In Erase Assistant, type and administrator's user name and password.\" width=\"650\" height=\"279\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Next, you might be asked to perform a Time Machine Backup, which is always a good idea anyway. If so, open Time Machine and follow the instructions there to back up your data to an external drive. When you\u2019re done, click \u201cContinue\u201d in Erase Assistant.<\/p>\n<p>After the optional Time Machine dialog (which may not show up on some machines), the Erase All Content &amp; Settings window will appear. Click the caret beside your account name, and you\u2019ll see a list of actions the Erase Assistant will perform in the steps ahead. Click \u201cContinue\u201d when you\u2019re ready to proceed.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-806407\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/erase_all_click_continue.jpg?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"\" width=\"650\" height=\"480\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Next, enter your Apple ID and password to sign out of Apple ID. After that, you\u2019ll see a warning screen.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"admonishment_warning\"><p><strong>Warning:<\/strong> Before continuing, make absolutely sure you have backups of your data on the Mac before erasing the Mac. You will lose all data, apps, settings, documents, photos, or videos that are stored on the Mac.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>When you\u2019re ready\u2014and only if you\u2019ve backed everything up\u2014click \u201cErase All Content &amp; Settings.\u201d Be warned: You won\u2019t be able to undo this step.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-806433\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/click_erase_all_content_warning.jpg?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"\" width=\"650\" height=\"434\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>After clicking, your Mac will restart and show a progress bar as it erases all the content on your device. When it\u2019s done, you\u2019ll be asked to setup your Mac again, and you can start from scratch as if it were a brand new Mac, or hand it off to someone else to set up later.<\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED:<\/strong> <strong><em>How to Back Up Your Mac and Restore Files With Time Machine<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Factory_Reset_an_Older_Mac\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_reset_older_mac\">How to Factory Reset an Older Mac<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019re running macOS Big Sur or earlier, or you have a Mac that isn\u2019t running Apple Silicon or doesn\u2019t have a T2 security chip, you\u2019ll need to perform a more complex series of steps to <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/186860\/how-to-reinstall-os-x-on-your-mac-wipe-your-drive-and-create-usb-installation-media\/\">wipe your Mac and reinstall macOS\u2014especially if you are going to sell or give away your Mac to someone else.<\/p>\n<p>First, back up your files using Time Machine and ensure the backup worked by examining the files on the external drive. If you don\u2019t have backups, you will lose all the data stored on the Mac you\u2019re about to wipe.<\/p>\n<p>Next, you\u2019ll need to perform several account sign-outs, which are important if you\u2019re handing over your Mac to someone else. Sign out of iTunes if you have a Pre-Catalina version of macOS (Account &gt; Authorizations &gt; Deauthorize This Computer). Also, sign out of iCloud in System Preferences (System Preferences &gt; Apple ID &gt; Overview &gt; Sign Out), then sign out of iMessage in the Messages app (Messages &gt; Preferences &gt; iMessage &gt; Sign Out).<\/p>\n<p>After that, you\u2019ll need to enter Recovery Mode. Shut down your Mac (Apple Menu &gt; Shut Down), then turn it back on and press Command+R when you see the Apple logo on the screen. Enter an Administrator password if necessary, then click \u201cDisk Utility\u201d in the menu that appears.<\/p>\n<p>Once in Disk Utility, select \u201cMacintosh HD\u201d in the sidebar. Make sure you have backups, then click \u201cErase\u201d in the toolbar. Warning: You will lose all data on the drive!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-806474\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/erase_hd.jpg?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Erase &quot;Macintosh HD&quot; in Disk Utility.\" width=\"650\" height=\"317\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>When you\u2019re done erasing the drive, quit Disk Utility using the menu bar and select \u201cReinstall macOS\u201d in the Recovery menu, then follow the on-screen instructions.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re giving your Mac to someone else, press Command+Q at Setup Assistant and shut down the Mac. When you power it back on, press Option+Command+P+R and hold it for about 20 seconds. This will reset the NVRAM, which clears user settings from a special type of memory on your Mac. After that, you can either set up the Mac again or press Command+Q to shut down the Mac, and it\u2019s ready for a new owner. Good luck!<\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED:<\/strong> <strong><em>What Is NVRAM, and When Should I Reset It On My Mac?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script>\n setTimeout(function(){\n  !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)\n  {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\n  n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};\n  if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';\n  n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\n  t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\n  s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s) } (window, document,'script',\n  'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\n   fbq('init', '335401813750447');\n   fbq('track', 'PageView');\n  },3000);\n<\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/806350\/how-to-factory-reset-a-macbook-air-macbook-pro-or-any-mac\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;How to Factory Reset a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or Any Mac&#8221; With macOS 12 Monterey or later on certain Macs, you can easily erase and reset your computer using a built-in feature called \u201cErase Assistant\u201d you can find in System Preferences. Here\u2019s how to do it. Requirements (And Tips for Older Macs) Starting with&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":451595,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/mac_finder_hero_1200x675.jpg?height=200p&trim=2,2,2,2","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-451594","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/451594","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=451594"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/451594\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/451595"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=451594"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=451594"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=451594"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}