How to reset your MacBook or Mac to factory default

Apple Mac is one of the most reliable laptops on the planet, and although you don’t need to reset it until you sell your Mac, you can still run into some issues. In such cases, resetting or erasing your Mac may be the best solution. You can also factory reset your Mac in just a few steps, just as it’s easy to erase your iPhone.

This simple how-to guide describes when and how you need to reset your Mac to factory default.

Why do you want to reset your Mac?

• If you’re having system-level issues on your Mac, we recommend a clean install. In my case, multiple Finder failed because I accidentally deleted some Dock files on macOS. Eventually, a factory reset of the Mac solved the problem.
• If you sell or transfer your Mac, we recommend that you erase all data from your Mac. In addition, we recommend that you reinstall macOS so that your laptop feels fresh. You can find out how to reinstall macOS in the section below.
• If your company or organization owns your Mac and you are returning it.
• Your Mac is flooded with thousands of small files, and it’s coming to an end. We recommend that you reset and start over. However, if millions of small files are the only reason to reset your Mac, use the Mac Cleaner app instead. It saves a lot of your efforts.

What do you do before resetting your Mac or MacBook?

Before going any further and erasing everything from your Mac, Apple recommends that you consider some of the things listed below.

• Backup, backup, backup: If you reset your Mac to factory, you will lose all your files, data and apps. And I don’t know when the file will be useful. Therefore, it is recommended to back up your Mac before erasing it. Learn how to easily back up your Mac.
• Sign out of iTunes: We recommend that you sign out of iTunes before resetting to prevent your Mac from appearing on your device the next time you sign in to iTunes. To sign out of iTunes: Open iTunes → Click account Top menu bar → Approval → Deauthorize this computer → Please enter you Apple ID When password When asked.
• Sign out of iCloud:
  • To sign out of iCloud on a Mac running macOS Mojave or earlier: click Apple logo Upper left → System Preferences → iCloud → sign out..
  • For macOS Catalina and above: choose Apple logo → System Preferences → Apple ID → overview → sign out..
• Sign out of iMessage: It’s important to sign out of iMessage before resetting your Mac. On a Mac running OS X Mountain Lion or later message App → Select message Upper left → Environmental setting → Click sign out..
• Reset NVRAM and PRAM. NVRAM and PRAM are responsible for storing your Mac settings. Apple recommends clearing memory before factory resetting your Mac, as it can be confusing while using your Mac. To do so
  1. shut down Your mac
  2. Press Power switch
  3. Then immediately press and hold these four keys together for about 20-25 seconds. Options + commands + P + R..
  4. Wait for Startup chime Release Key..

If you’re running macOS Monterey on your Mac:

How to reset an M1 or Intel Mac running macOS Monterey or later

Apple has simplified the procedure for resetting your Mac to factory settings using macOS Monterey. You can now reset your Mac just like your iPhone, that is, from System Preferences. To reset a Mac running macOS Monterey or later:

1. click Apple logo Select in the upper left System Preferences..
2. Then click System Preferences In the upper left again.
3. select Erase all content and settings…

   

4. Please enter your ~ password..
   A new app called Erase Assistant will pop up showing you what data will be erased when you reset your Mac using Erase Assistant.
5. strike continue..

   

6. Please enter your ~ Apple ID and password..
   A pop-up will appear asking you to confirm that your Mac has been erased.
7. select Erase all content and settings..
   This will launch the Apple logo screen that appears when you turn on your Mac.
8. When complete, your Mac will restart with the setup screen displayed.

If you are running macOS Big Sur or below on your Mac:

Apple didn’t have a tool like Erase Assitant on any macOS version prior to Monterey. In addition, there are various steps for Macs with Apple Silicon Chips or Intel Chips.

So choose the right process for your Mac (whether it has an Intel chip or Apple Silicon and is running macOS Big Sur or lower) and carefully follow the steps above.

How to reset Apple Silicon Mac on macOS Big Sur

1. macOS Big Sur 11.2 or later

Apple has released a simple reset tool for Apple Silicon Macs with macOS 11.2. To reset your Apple Silicon Mac using Recovery Assistant:

1. shut down Your Mac.
2. Press and hold Power switch Until the Startup Options window appears.
3. choose Gear icon With option Label below it.

   

4. Please enter your ~ Mac password..
5. In the window that opens Terminal From the menu bar.

   

6. When the terminal opens, type: code To reset your Mac: resetpassword
7. Select now Recovery assistant → Erase Mac It’s on the menu bar.
8. select Erase Mac confirm one more time.
   This will launch the Apple logo screen that appears when you turn on your Mac.
9. When completed, you will be greeted as follows Setup screen Reset your Mac at the factory.

2. macOS Big Sur 11.1 or less

To reset an Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 11.0 to macOS 11.1, follow these steps:

1. shut down Your Mac.
2. Press and hold Power switch Until the Startup Options window appears.
3. choose Gear icon With option Label below it.
4. Please enter your ~ Mac password..
5. Select now Disk utility..
6. [ディスクユーティリティ]In the window Mac hard drive Located in the left panel.
   Perhaps your Mac’s hard drive will be named Macintosh HD.
7. After selecting the drive, click erase Type the following in the toolbar:
   1. Name: Macintosh HD
   2. Format: APFS
8. select Erase volume group..

   

9. Please enter your ~ Apple ID and password If you are prompted.
10. click Erase and restart your Mac..
11. To follow On-screen instructions..
    The Mac will try to reinstall macOS. Make sure your Mac is connected to the internet.
12. When your Mac becomes active, click Return to recovery utility..

How to reset Intel Mac under macOS Big Sur

1. shut down Your Mac.
2. Press Power switch Until you hear the chime.
3. Then press and hold Command (⌘) + R Until the options appear on your Mac screen.
4. Please enter your ~ Mac password..
5. Select now Disk utility Click continue..

   

6. [ディスクユーティリティ]In the window Mac hard drive Located in the left panel.
   Perhaps your Mac’s hard drive will be named Macintosh HD.
7. After selecting the drive, click erase Enter the following information in the toolbar:
   1. Name: Macintosh HD
   2. Format: APFS or MacOS Extended (Journaled), whichever Disk Utility recommends
8. click Erase volume group Type in the window Apple ID password..
9. After erasing Mac Reinstall macOS, That’s it.

If you don’t know how to install macOS on your Mac, go to the next section.

Note: If you have problems with Mac system files, the best solution is to reinstall macOS. It’s easier than resetting your Mac to factory default.

How do I reinstall macOS without erasing data or deleting apps?

Resetting your Mac to factory defaults erases all files, including apps, documents, folders, photos, and everything on your laptop, and starts over.

However, if you use the recovery option to reinstall macOS, you only need to reinstall the operating system part of your laptop. Everything remains intact, including files, data, apps, and photos. Simply erase and install the entire operating system layer below it.

Steps to reinstall macOS on Apple Silicon Mac

1. Shut down the M1 Mac.
2. Hold down Power switch Until you see Startup options window.
3. choose Gear icon Labeled option hit continue.
   A pop-up will appear with four options.
4. click Reinstall macOS..

   
   Make sure your Mac is connected to the internet. If not, click the Wi-Fi icon in the upper right or connect the Ethernet cable.

5. To follow On-screen instructions..
   You’ll be prompted to enter your Mac password, erase the old disk, and select the disk to reinstall macOS (probably the disk named Macintosh HD).
6. Note: Unlike Intel-based Macs, the Apple Silicon Mac reinstall tool only downloads and installs the latest version of macOS installed on your computer.
7. Once downloaded, your Mac will restart several times.
8. next, Setup screen..
   Follow the steps, and it’s done! The latest macOS version will be reinstalled.

Reinstall macOS on Intel-based Mac

Reinstalling macOS on an Intel Mac is a bit different than reinstalling it on an Apple Silicon Mac.

1. shut down Your Mac.
2. Press and hold Power switch Until you hear the activation chime.
3. Then press one of the following key combinations:
   • Reinstalling the latest macOS on Intel-based Macs: press Options + commands + R Key combination.
   • Reinstalling the factory version of macOS on an Intel-based Mac: Press Shift + option + Instructions + NS..
4. You will be taken to Internet recovery menu..
5. Please select your preference Wi-Fi connection Or connect Ethernet cable On your Mac.
6. next, Mac password..
7. Select now Reinstall macOS From the options.
8. To follow On-screen instructions..
9. When all is done, your Mac will display the setup screen.

You know how to reset your Mac to factory default. Thanks to Apple for finally releasing a single Erase Assistant tool with macOS Monterey. This simplifies the process a bit.

If you have any questions about resetting your Mac, please share them in the comments section below. I want to help you

You may also want to read these: