How to Factory Reset Your MacBook (macOS Monterey 12)

Perform a factory reset to your MacBook Pro, Air, iMac, or other models before you sell it, give it away, or experience serious issues.

What will happen if you reset your Macbook Pro to factory settings

When you reset your Macbook Pro to factory settings, all of the data on your computer will be deleted. This includes all of the documents, photos, videos, and music that you have stored on your computer.

Hence, It is important to have a backup of all the data on your MacBook Pro/Air before performing a factory reset. This will ensure that all of the files on your computer are not lost when you reset it.

Apple offers two ways for backing up data on a Mac: Time Machine and iCloud Drive. These tools can help you back up any files that are stored on the computer’s hard drive or in iCloud.

If you have a time machine backup, you can restore your computer using it in case your plan didn’t work as it should be.

Things to Prepare

1. Back-Up

As explained, I recommend you back up your data to an external hard drive using Time Machine.

2. Upgrade to macOS Monterey 12

This method that I am going to show you requires macOS Monterey 12. So, if your MacBook is still running macOS below Monterey, you need to update your device in the first place. 

To upgrade your MacBook to macOS Monterey, do the followings:

1. Click the Apple logo in the left top corner.

2. Select About This Mac. 

3. If you are not using a macOS Monterey, click Software update…

4. Click Upgrade Now and let your Mac download the update.

5. Follow the onscreen instructions until the Monterey upgrade is complete.

After you have upgraded to macOS Monterey, you are ready to do to factory reset your MacBook now.

How to Reset Your MacBook Pro to Factory Settings

1. Click the Apple logo in the left corner of your screen to open the menu.

2. Select System Preferences.

3. On the System Preferences menu in the bar, select Erase All Content and Settings… (This option only exists on macOS Monterey 12 with an Apple Silicon or Apple T2 Security Chip) 

4. You’ll see the Erase Assistant window on your screen. Sign in using your administrator password and click OK.

5. If you want to back up your Mac before resetting it, click Open Time Machine… Otherwise, click Continue.