- #How to wipe computer clean before selling it upgrade#
- #How to wipe computer clean before selling it software#
Now click Erase Volume Group, enter your Apple ID when prompted, and click Erase Mac and Restart. Youll be prompted to enter a new name (consider Macintosh HD, for simplicitys sake) and Format (which should be APFS). Once thats done, click Disk Utility > hard drive (again, called Macintosh HD unless you changed the name) in the left sidebar > Erase. Click Options.Īt this point, you may be asked to input a username and password. Eventually a screen will appear featuring a black background and two icons: your hard drive (called Macintosh HD unless you changed it) and Options. Once thats completed, turn off your Mac and then turn it back on while holding down the power button.
#How to wipe computer clean before selling it software#
You can do that by clicking System Preferences in the Apple Menu in the upper left-hand corner and then clicking Software Update. If youre selling your computer, you can skip setup by pressing Command + Q and let the new owner complete that process.įor M1-based Macs, Apple says you need to make sure youre running the latest version of MacOS before you get started. This should look familiar if you've set up this computer before. To finish the reset, navigate back to the Utilities window and choose Reinstall MacOS (or OSX) to reinstall the original operating system.Īfter the reinstall, the Mac will begin the setup process. Then select MacOS Extended (Journaled) format and quit Disk Utility when the process ends. Make sure to select the disk, not the volume name listed beneath it. Open the Disk Utility and erase your built-in hard disk. Once you've done that, the Utilities window will pop up in the middle of your screen.
#How to wipe computer clean before selling it upgrade#
Alternatively, you can hold Command + R to reinstall the latest MacOS installed on your Mac or Option + Command + R to upgrade to the latest version of the OS compatible with your computer. This will reinstall the operating system that came with your Mac. To perform a factory reset on Intel-based Macs, hold down the Shift + Option + Command + R keys while starting up your Mac until the Apple logo appears on the screen. This step isnt required, but transferring those account names and passwords onto your new machine will save you the hassle of re-entering the WiFi password at the local coffee shop or the login info for online retailers. You should also copy your keychains to a flash drive. That can be done in the Apple ID section of the System Preferences app. Once again, before you begin, be sure to back up important files and then sign out of iCloud.
You'll need to perform different steps to perform a factory reset on one of those (see below) than on a Mac with an Intel processor. Apple last fall introduced computers using its own homegrown M1 processor, also known as Apple silicon.