How to factory reset your MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or Mac PCs

“A MacBook serves as an excellent tool, enabling you to craft and accomplish remarkable tasks for your profession or business. However, there come moments when it becomes necessary to sell or pass on your old Mac to acquire a new one. Prior to doing so, it’s crucial to safeguard all your data and perform a factory reset on the computer. This protects your information and streamlines the setup process for the next user. Below, you’ll find a straightforward, step-by-step guide detailing how to factory reset various Mac models like MacBook Air, Pro, or other Mac PCs running different macOS versions, along with essential steps to take before initiating a reset.”

What to do before factory resetting MacBook Air, Pro, or Mac PCs?

“Before proceeding with a reset on your MacBook, it’s crucial to understand that this action will erase all data stored on the hard drive and reset the software. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to back up all essential files beforehand. To guide you through this factory reset process and the necessary precautions, we’ve outlined step-by-step instructions.

To prevent any loss of data or inadvertent access to sensitive information, consider the following before initiating a factory reset:

• Backup: Safeguard all your files, including photos, documents, music, and videos, by transferring them to an external hard drive or utilizing cloud-based storage services like iCloud, Google Drive, or OneDrive. Cloud services are particularly useful if you’re subscribed to a plan.
• Sign out from accounts: Log out of all social media, work, messaging, gaming, and file-sharing applications or websites on the MacBook. While most data is reset within browsers, ensure there’s no lingering sign-in information on the hard drive, securing your personal data post-reset.
• Disable Find My: If Find My, Apple’s location tracking service, is enabled on your MacBook, disable it by accessing System Preferences, clicking on Apple ID, selecting iCloud, and unchecking the ‘Find My Mac’ option.
• Create a bootable USB drive (optional): If planning to reinstall macOS after the reset, consider creating a bootable drive with a macOS installation file for convenience.

These precautions are vital to safeguard your data and ensure a smooth transition during the factory reset process.”

How to reset MacBook Air, Pro, and Mac PCs

“Having completed the essential steps of backing up your important data and signing out of accounts and apps, it’s now time to proceed with the factory reset. Below, you’ll find a detailed step-by-step guide on how to perform a factory reset on your MacBook, tailored for various versions of macOS.”

macOS Ventura

• Move your cursor to the corner of your MacBook screen and click on the Apple logo.
• Select System Preferences.
• In the sidebar of the settings menu, choose General.
• Click on Transfer or Reset.
• Choose ‘Erase All Content and Settings.’ A guide will pop up to assist you further.
• Enter your administrator username and password to confirm the reset.
• Click Continue if you’ve already backed up your data.
• A new screen will display items that will be deleted, like Apple ID, Touch ID, Accessories, Apple Wallet, and Find My. Click Continue after verifying these.
• Finally, click ‘Erase All Content & Settings’ to start the process.
• Your Mac will restart, indicating that the reset is underway.

If you plan to sell or give away your Mac, don’t proceed with the setup process after the restart. Instead, press and hold the Power button to turn off the Mac.

macOS Monterey

The steps for macOS Monterey differ a bit from those for macOS Ventura.

• Move your cursor to the corner of your MacBook Screen and click on the Apple logo. Then, select System Preferences.
• Click ‘Erase All Content and Settings’ directly from the System Preferences menu. This will prompt an assistant to guide you through the process.
• Enter your administrator username and password to confirm the reset.
• If you’ve already backed up your data, click Continue to proceed without making a backup again.
• A screen will display what will be deleted during the reset, such as Apple ID, Touch ID, Accessories, Apple Wallet, and Find My. Verify these items and click Continue.
• Finally, click ‘Erase All Content & Settings’ to start the reset.
• Your Mac will restart to indicate that the reset is in progress.
• If you intend to sell your Mac, don’t proceed with the setup process. Simply press and hold the power button to turn it off.

macOS Big Sur or older

Unfortunately, on Mac computers running macOS Big Sur and older versions, the reset process is a bit more involved. While upgrading to macOS Monterey or newer versions simplifies these steps, this guide is for those unable to do so. Let’s proceed assuming you’ve already backed up your data.

• Power off your Mac. Then, power it back on while holding Option, Command, P, and R simultaneously to enter Recovery Mode.
• In Recovery Mode, select Disk Utility from the menu.
• Click Continue.
• Choose Macintosh HD and click Erase, keeping the format as default.
• Your MacBook has been reset successfully.
• If you want to reinstall macOS as previously discussed, return to Recovery Mode and select ‘Reinstall macOS.’ Follow the on-screen instructions thereafter.

How to reset NVRAM for Intel MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac PCs

If you’re facing issues with your Intel-based MacBooks or Mac desktops, resetting the NVRAM might help. The NVRAM, also known as non-volatile random-access memory, stores specific system settings like speaker volume, startup disk selection, time zone, and recent kernel panic info in Mac computers. It retains this data even when the computer is turned off.

Here’s how to reset it:

• Turn off your Mac. When turning it on again, immediately press and hold these keys: Option, Command, P, and R.
• Keep holding the keys for about 20 seconds until you hear the startup sound for the second time.
• Release the keys and let your Mac boot up as usual.
• Your NVRAM has been successfully reset.

FAQ

Who should factory reset MacBook or mac computer?

It’s best for the MacBook’s owner to perform the factory reset to prevent any loss of important data. A MacBook factory reset is intended for those who want to erase all data and settings on the computer, whether to begin anew or to ready it for resale or donation.