Resetting a MacBook to zero can be useful in various situations, whether it’s selling the gadget, fixing software glitches, or wanting to start from scratch. In this guide, we’ll look at how to reset a MacBook to factory settings, step by step, to make it as simple and straightforward as possible.
Backup
Before you start deleting data from the device, you need to do a number of steps to prepare. The first of which is to back up all the necessary data. The folder “Anapa 2010” with family photos definitely needs to be moved so that mom doesn’t get upset.
To do this, you can transfer files to another hard drive, use an external program or network storage. In addition, the MacBook already has a built-in utility – Time Machine. It creates backup copies of the entire device to the same sources, rather than transferring all the necessary files manually.
Setting up Time Machine
Let’s look at an example of a backup using the built-in utility. It will be easier to use and you won’t have to download third-party software. To successfully transfer your device’s data array:
- Connect an external hard drive or network storage device to your MacBook. The device must be formatted as HFS+ or APFS to work with Time Machine. If the device isn’t formatted, you’ll be asked if you want to do so the first time you connect it.
- Open System Preferences and select Time Machine. In the window that opens, you will see a switch to enable the function. Among the buttons, select Select Disk.
- Select the connected device from the list. For network storage, select its name from the list of available network drives. Once you have marked the desired one, activate the “Use disk” function.
- Make sure the Time Machine switch is turned on. Time Machine will automatically create backups every hour, day, and week. You can also set up encryption options to protect your backups with a password.
Razlogin
We highlighted this as a separate item because in some cases it is important to go through it. Especially if you are going to sell the gadget or transfer it to another user. After creating backups, you need to log out of all accounts associated with your Apple ID. This includes iCloud, iTunes and any other Apple services.
Reboot into recovery mode
First, you need to make sure that you have a stable Wi-Fi connection, as downloading and installing the new version of macOS requires an Internet connection. Plus, it is recommended to plug in the charger to your MacBook to avoid draining the battery during the installation process.
To begin the reset process, you need to reboot your MacBook into recovery mode. Here’s how to do it: First, turn off the device, then hold down the Command (⌘) and R keys. While doing this, turn on your MacBook. Keep holding the keys until you see the Apple logo or boot screen. This will put your device into recovery mode, where you can erase the disk and reinstall your Mac operating system. Or Windows, if you’re feeling fancy.
Disk Cleanup
The operating system utilities window will open immediately along with the recovery mode. The item we need is called “Disk Utility”. In the window that opens, select the main disk of your MacBook, which is usually called “Macintosh HD”. Then select “Erase”. In the dialog box that appears, select the disk format, which is usually APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled), depending on the version of macOS installed on your MacBook. Confirm disk formatting.
Installing macOS
After cleaning the disk, return to the main menu “macOS Utilities” and select “Reinstall macOS”. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest version of macOS. This process may take some time, depending on your internet connection speed and device performance.
Final setup
Once macOS is installed, your MacBook will reboot and prompt you to set up the system again. Follow the on-screen instructions to create a new user account and configure basic device settings. If you are selling your MacBook, you can skip this setup and leave it for the new owner.
This was a guide on how to reset your MacBook to factory settings. Following them, you can easily remove old data from your gadget for any purpose.