Reboot Macbook To Factory Settings

1. Reset Macbook To Factory Settings 2020
2. Restoring Macbook Pro To Factory Settings Without Disc

Need to restore Mac to factory settings?

If you decide to sell or give away your Mac, you'll need to wipe your data in order to set up your Mac like a new one. Not only is it essential for your privacy, but it is also the right way to prepare your MacBook for another owner. Resetting Mac to factory settings includes several steps. Here's the brief outline of them:

• Data backup
• Deauthorizing iTunes on macOS Mojave or earlier
• Signing out iCloud and iMessage
• Resetting NVRAM
• Erasing Mac hard drive in Recovery Mode
• Reinstalling macOS

Continue reading to learn how to factory reset MacBook Pro or any other Mac computer just as it was new.

Note: This guide is relevant to Mac Pro, iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air.

Click the Apple ( ) symbol in the top left corner of your Mac's screen and select Restart. Hold down the Command and R keys as soon as you hear the Mac tone indicating a reboot. There are many reasons to reset your Mac to factory settings. You may be ready to sell your Mac or it may just be slow due to many years of use. If you find yourself needing to erase the contents of your hard drive and start fresh you can do so in just a few quick steps.

The ultimate checklist to factory reset MacBook Pro

Step 1. Back up your data

When you factory reset MacBook Pro, all the information you have on your hard drive is wiped off. That's why you need to create a backup to save your important files and data. This is like cloning your hard drive and keeping it for some time.

You can manually back up all your files and apps by copying everything to an external drive or iCloud. However, the faster and more secure way to back up your Mac is Time Machine — Mac's built-in software. It allows you to recover individual files and restore your whole hard drive in the event of a catastrophe.

However, before you use Time Machine, make sure to clean up your Mac. You don't want to back up all the junk it contains, do you? Plus, a backup will go faster and more smoothly if your Mac is not cluttered. Twitch broadcasting software. For a quick cleanup, you can use a utility like CleanMyMac X. It will help you remove large and old files, useless apps, caches, and system junk in two clicks.

Here's how to clean GBs of junk in under 5 minutes:

1. Download CleanMyMac X and launch it.
2. Click Scan.
3. Click Run.

Once you've cleaned up your Mac, enable Time Machine backups:

1. Go to the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen and choose System Preferences.
2. Select Time Machine.
3. Click the Select Disk button.
4. Choose the disk you'd like to use as a Time Machine backup, then click Use Disk.

That's it!

Note that your first backup may take a long time, depending on how many files you have. But don't skip this step — the backup will allow you to restore all your data should something goes wrong when you factory reset Mac.

Reset Macbook To Factory Settings 2020

Once your files are backed up, next be sure to disable any services associated with your system, including iCloud, Music, and Messages, and deactivate programs on your Mac. Just take your time to sign out of everything to avoid those 'after the sale' calls from a new user.

Step 2. Deauthorize iTunes

Note: This step is required only if you're using macOS Mojave or earlier.

Did you know you can authorize up to 5 computers, which means you can play your content just on 5 different Macs? That's why you need to make sure your computer is not linked to your iTunes account when it gets a new owner. Don't save this step for later.

Here's how to sign out of iTunes:

1. Open iTunes on your Mac.
2. Click Account in the menu bar.
3. Choose Authorizations > Deauthorize This Computer.
4. Provide your Apple ID and password.
5. Click Deauthorize.

Do you need to turn off FileVault to do a factory reset?

Some sources on the Internet recommend turning off FileVault before doing a factory reset. FileVault encrypts your data and prevents unauthorized access to the information on your startup disk. So, even if you are going to sell your Mac, the purchaser won't be able to access your data as they'd need your password to decrypt it. Complete factory reset covers erasing your startup disk (described in Step 7), which will make the recovery of your data impossible. Therefore, there is no need to turn off FileVault, as your data can't be accessible in any readable form after you erase the drive.

Step 3. Sign out of iCloud

Sign out of iCloud to make sure that any remnants of the cloud data, such as bookmarks, notes, reminders, etc., are not visible to a new user.

Follow these steps to turn off iCloud:

1. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences.
2. Select Apple ID.
3. Select Overview in the sidebar.
4. Click Sign Out.

If you're running macOS Mojave or earlier, go to Apple menu > System Preferences, choose iCloud. Then click Sign Out.

Step 4. Sign out of iMessage

Before you restore Mac to factory settings, be sure to sign out of iMessage. Here's how to do that:

1. Open up Messages.
2. Click Messages in the menu bar in the top left corner of your screen.
3. From the drop-down menu, choose Preferences.
4. Click iMessage, then click Sign Out.

As simple as that!

Step 5. Reset NVRAM

NVRAM (nonvolatile random-access memory) is a type of memory your Mac uses to store certain settings, such as your selected startup disk, sound volume, screen resolution, and the last kernel panic. Resetting NVRAM will restore certain features you might have changed previously.

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Start up your Mac and press and hold Option-Command-P-R.
3. Hold the keys for 20 seconds, then release.

If you have a Bluetooth mouse or keyboard paired with your computer, you need to unpair it before giving away or selling your Mac. Go to Apple menu > System Preferences. Click Bluetooth and select the device you want to unpair. Then, click the 'x' button to unpair the device.

Step 6: Restart Your Mac in Recovery Mode

Once you've backed up your data and signed out of everything, you are ready to wipe your Mac and give it a fresh start with a new owner. The following steps will tell you how to restore Mac to factory settings. This is pretty simple. Go to the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen and choose Restart. As the system restarts, hold the combination of Command and R keys together — you'll notice the Recovery Mode window.

Step 7: Erase Mac hard drive

If you plan to sell or give away your Mac, you need to erase your Mac's startup disk. The startup disk is built-into your MacBook. Its default name is Macintosh HD.

1. Start up your Mac and press Command-R until you see an Apple logo.
2. Choose Disk Utility in the utilities window.
3. Click the Continue button.
4. Your built-in startup disk is the disk named 'Macintosh HD' unless you renamed it before. It's always the first item listed in the Disk Utility sidebar.
5. Select Macintosh HD.
6. Click Erase at the top of the Disk Utility window and enter the next details:
Name: Macintosh HD
Format: APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
7. Click Erase Volume Group. You may need to enter your Apple ID for confirmation.

When the process is complete, select other internal volumes in the sidebar and press the '—' button to delete them. Then, quit Disk Utility.

Step 8: Reinstall your operating system

Congratulations, you've reformatted your hard drive and reset your Mac to factory settings. Now you can reinstall your operating system. Simply click Reinstall macOS from the utilities menu. Confirm that you really want to do it and follow the instructions you'll see on the screen.

Once the macOS is installed, a setup assistant will appear. However, if you are not going to keep your Mac, it would be better to quit the setup process and let the new owner enter all necessary information. Hold down the Command-Q keys and then choose Shut Down to turn off your Mac but leave it waiting for a new user.

That's all. Now your Mac is clean and ready for a fresh start.

Resetting Mac to factory settings offers a simple and effective way to counter MacOS problems. It is an easy way to wipe the Macbook of unwanted data and gives it a new life. Also if you are considering selling or giving away your device you should always Wipe your Macbook so that no one can access your data.

Are you wondering how to clean my Mac utilities app? Our guide here will discuss some of the efficient methods to reset Mac to factory settings. Read ahead to learn more about how to factory reset Mac and wipe away all your data from it.

Security Alerts

Before performing a factory reset for your Mac device ensure that you have a proper backup so that no personal information is compromised and it avoids you from suffering any data losses. Also ensure that you sign out from iMessage, iCloud and other accounts before you factory reset your Mac device.

How To Completely Wipe A Mac | Methods To Factory Reset Mac

Resetting Mac to factory settings is an efficient way to give your old PC a new life and also offers an easy way to erase data and deep clear Mac devices to remove any leftover traces.

So, without wasting any more time, let's learn from scratch how to erase everything from the Mac laptop.

1. Restart Your Mac Device

If you are trying to restore Mac to factory settings then restarting your device is the first step towards it. Doing this is exceptionally easy, just hold the power button until a dialogue box appears on your Mac screen, choose the Restart button from the list of options displayed.

Alternatively, you can also click on the Apple button located on the top left corner of your device screen and then choose restart from the drop-down list.

To reset Mac to factory settings you can also use keyboard shortcuts. Simultaneously press Control + Command + Eject button.

2. Open In Recovery Mode

Yet another useful method to reset Mac to factory settings. Open your device in Recovery Mode by pressing the Command + R key on the keyboard until the Apple sign appears on the screen. Doing this will boot your device in Recovery mode. Now enter the set user id and password to access the device. Here you can access help documentations, erase data, create Time Machine backup, install new OS and also repair all the damaged and problematic disks.

Read Also: Best App for Removing Duplicate Photos on Mac

3. Erase your Data

Wondering how to reset Mac to factory settings, follow simple steps to get the job done. So, once you are finished restarting your device, it's time to clear your Macbook along with the data stored on it.

• Under the Internal Headings pick the relevant startup disk.
• Now from the Disk Utility Window click on the Erase button.
• A new dialog box will appear on your Mac screen.
• To Wipe your Macbook, set the format to Journaled.
• Now click on the Erase button.
• Wait for the process to complete, Once it is done choose The Quit Disk Utility option from the top left corner of your device screen.

These simple steps provide an easy way on how to completely wipe a Mac device, but an important point to remember here is that once you erase your data you cannot recover it under any circumstances. So we recommend you to have a proper backup to avoid any data losses before you wipe your Macbooks.

Read Also: What is The Best Antivirus Software for Mac

4. Reinstall MacOS

If you are considering selling your Mac device you should be well aware of how to reset Mac to factory settings to avoid giving unwanted access to your private data to anyone else. The next step to factory reset Mac is to reinstall macOS on your device. For this follow simple steps as mentioned below:

• Launch the Mac Utilities Screen.
• Then select the Reinstall option and follow the steps as described.
• Doing this will install a clear version of the operating system on your Mac device.

5. Restore From Backup

Restoring Macbook Pro To Factory Settings Without Disc

So, once you are through following the above steps, now is the time to restore the backup to created before resetting Mac to factory settings.

Important Things to Do Before You Restore Mac To Factory Settings

Now that you have learned how to completely wipe a Mac, here are a few important points to remember. There are greater chances that you might suffer data loss while Wiping your Macbook, so if you don't want to lose any important data here are a few recommended actions that you should be well aware of.

• Create Backup: Before your clear Mac ensure that you have created a proper backup of all your important files and data. Usually, people tend to underestimate this step but regret later on as once you factory reset your Mac device there is no chance that you can recover your data.

• Sign out of iCloud: Another important point to remember before you reset Mac to factory settings is to sign out of your iCloud account. To do so, open the Apple menu, then choose Apple ID from the System Preferences option. In the next step choose iCloud and deactivate the Find My Mac option. To finish, open the Overview section and click on the Sign Out button. Remember doing this before you device to reset Mac to factory settings.

• Sign Out of iTunes: This step does not hold any relevance for users who are working on macOS Catalina, but for others, it is an important step to remember while resetting mac to factory settings. Follow the steps to sign out of iTunes, Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize your device.

• Sign out of iMessage: Doing this is fairly simple, just launch the Messages app on your device, then choose the Messages option followed by the Preferences button. Select the iMessage button and finally click on the Sign Out button.

• Unpair Bluetooth: Another recommender step to consider before you Wipe your Macbook is to unpair Bluetooth connection. Apple menu> System Preferences > Bluetooth > Unpair all the connected devices.

Read Also: Best Free App Uninstaller For Mac

Final Words: Factory Reset Mac | Wipe Macbook Completely

We hope our guide on how to completely wipe a Mac has been of great assistance to you and has been able to clear all your doubts around it. The above-mentioned step will help you reset your Mac to factory settings with utmost perfection and ease.