How To Reset An Apple Laptop To Factory Settings

How to Reset a Mac: Factory reset a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro

(Image credit: Laptop Mag)

Does your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro seem a fiddling long in the tooth? Is there an issue yous tin't seem to solve no affair how you try? Or practice you desire to sell your MacBook without a trace of personal data on it? Here's our guide on how to reset a MacBook How to Reset a MacBook or Whatsoever Mac Computer — or whatever Mac computer — to solve any of those issues.

Below, we explicate how to completely mill reset your MacBook (or iMac) to a like-new state. The instructions beneath (with a few minor tweaks here or there, depending on your verbal machine) will piece of work for macOS Catalina and most older versions of the operating arrangement.

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Earlier you do this, exist sure to back up your data. If y'all're selling your MacBook, likewise make sure to sign out of iMessage, iCloud and any other accounts before you reset. Worried about losing your data? Whorl to the bottom of this article for steps you should have earlier factory resetting your MacBook.

How to reset a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro

1. Agree down the Command and R keys on the keyboard and plough on the Mac. Let go when the Apple logo pops upwards.

Hold down the Command and R keys on the keyboard and turn on the Mac

2. Select your language and continue.

3. Cull Deejay Utility and click Continue.

4. Choose your startup disk (named Macintosh Hard disk by default) from the sidebar and click the Erase push button.

Choose your Startup Disk and click Erase

5. After you lot've chosen a name for the disk one time information technology's erased, select Mac Os Extended (Journaled) from the dropdown menu and so click Erase. (If you desire to encrypt your disc for extra security, choose the "Journaled, Encrypted" option. You'll exist prompted to create a countersign.) Choose GUID Partition Map.

6. Click Erase and then Done and exit the window.

7. If you haven't done this already, connect to Wi-Fi in the elevation correct-hand corner, merely like you usually would on your Mac.

8. From the master menu, cull Reinstall macOS and then click Continue.

nine. Printing Go along. A pop-upwards window will appear; choose Keep there, too.

10. Read the software license agreement and click Agree.

11. Cull your kick disk and click Install.

12. Wait for the first stride of the installation to occur. (This is a skillful time to have a break and stretch your legs. Getting a sandwich is encouraged, but optional.)

13. The figurer will restart and continue installing.

The computer will restart and continue installing

What to do before yous reset your MacBook

The guide above is focused on resetting your MacBook, but there are recommended actions to have before mill resetting your MacBook that you should be enlightened of. These pointers will ensure that you lot don't lose any personal files, photos or apps when you lot motion from one MacBook to some other.

Here are some things to consider doing before you reset your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro.

Back up your MacBook. Nosotros tin't overstate the importance of this step. Creating a backup will protect your nigh valuable files. If you don't support your data, information technology will disappear into the ether when you perform a manufactory reset.
Sign out of iTunes. Choose Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize This Computer. If y'all're running the latest macOS, you tin skip this step.
Sign out of iCloud. Hit the Apple bill of fare, go to System Preferences then click the Apple tree ID. Cull iCloud from the side panel and Turn off Find my Mac. And then click Overview and Sign out.
Sign out of iMessage. Open the Messages app, cull Messages then Preferences. Click iMessage and Sign Out.
Unpair Bluetooth devices. Go to the Apple menu > System Preferences and choose Bluetooth. Hither, you can unpair keyboards, headphones or other Bluetooth-enabled peripherals.

Now y'all know how to factory reset a MacBook or whatsoever Mac computer!

From here, if you're looking to sell your calculator, you're all washed — no need to worry about the new owner getting into your files or apps. If yous want to get dorsum to the desktop, follow the prompts as if you were setting up your MacBook for the kickoff time.

If your onetime Mac is still acting up and you've decided you desire to upgrade, check out our roundup of the all-time MacBooks bachelor now.

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