Perform a factory reset to your MacBook Pro, Air, iMac, or other models before you sell it, give it away, or experience serious issues.
Contents
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.
6. Take a moment to read the settings and data that will be removed. Click Continue.
7. If the system asks you to sign out, insert your Apple ID credentials and click Continue.
8. Hit Erase All Content & Settings to start resetting your MacBook Pro to factory settings.
9. Your MacBook Pro will restart and a progress bar will appear on a black screen.
After the reset progress is done, you will be greeted with the setup menu starting with choosing a language.
If you are planning to sell or give away your MacBook Pro or Air, you don’t need to set up your computer again. Instead, press and hold down the power button to shut down your MacBook Pro.
If you are using the MacBook for personal use, you must re-configure it as you did the first time you used it.
How to Remove Windows Installation on your MacBook
If you also install Windows using Boot Camp on your MacBook, you need to remove it using Boot Camp Assistant before performing a factory reset.
1. Power on your MacBook Pro.
2. Back up all your important data on the Windows partition before removing Windows.
The Windows partition will be removed permanently when you perform a factory reset.
3. Make sure that no apps are opened and sign out other users on your Mac if any.
4. Launch Boot Camp Assistant and click Continue.
5. When you see Select Tasks steps on your screen, click Remove Windows 10 or later version and select Continue.
6. Do one of these methods:
- Click Restore if you only have one partition.
- Select the Windows partition and click Restore disk to a single macOS partition if you have more than one partition. Then, click Continue.
How to Reinstall macOS Monterey
Once you’ve done with the factory reset on your MacBook Pro or Air, it’s time to reinstall the operating system.
You will need a high-speed and stable internet connection because you have to download the fresh installation of macOS Monterey.
Or, you can use a bootable installer for macOS Monterey for faster installation if you don’t have fast internet.
To reinstall macOS Monterey, boot up your MacBook Pro or Air and if you see the image above on your screen, click Reinstall macOS Monterey and click Continue. Then, follow the onscreen instructions to complete the installation.
That’s it! Those were how to factory reset your MacBook Pro, Air, or iMac which is using macOS Monterey 12.
Do you have any problems while trying to restore your MacBook Pro, Air, or iMac to the factory settings? Let’s discuss your problems in the comments box below.
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