Step 2: Use Disk Utility to Erase Your Mac Hard Driveġ. The next screen you'll see is the Recovery Mode utility window. You may see a screen asking you to choose a language.ĥ. It will take a while for the Mac to start up in this mode.Ĥ. Immediately hold down the Command + R keys until you see an Apple logo or spinning globe.ģ. Click the Apple logo at the top left of the screen and select Restart.Ģ. Step 1: Restart MacBook into Recovery Modeġ. But what if you don't know the password? You can use the following steps to reset the factory settings and reinstall macOS. If you have a used Mac, or plan to sell an older version of Mac, you need to reset the device to default settings. How to Reset MacBook Pro to Factory Settings without Password It's not on by default, but if it is being used then it's advisable to turn it off before going factory reset your Mac. Turn off FileVaultįileVault encrypts the files on your hard drive. Because you'll reformat the hard drive in a later step, just click Keep a Copy to proceed. If you have macOS Mojave or earlier, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click iCloud, and then Sign Out.Ī dialog asks whether you want to keep a copy of your iCloud data on the Mac. Then select Overview in the side panel and click Sign Out.Choose iCloud in the side panel and Turn off Find My Mac.Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Apple ID.When prompted, enter your Apple ID and password. Open iTunes. From the menu bar at the top of your computer screen or at the top of the iTunes window, choose Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize This Computer. If your computer has not been updated to Catalina, you will need to deauthorize your computer from the iTunes app. Resetting a Mac to factory settings deletes all the data stored on that device, you can make a backup of the data using Time Machine software Apple provides - Here's how to back up using Time Machine. You should back up your computer, disable some features and services, and then go on booting to Recovery Mode and using Disk Utility to erase (format) a hard disk and reinstalling macOS.

Things you can do before you erase a Macbookīefore you erase your Mac, make sure your Mac is currently connected to the internet and plug in the power adapter, so there's no danger of running out of battery power.

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