How to erase all content and settings on your Mac

Following the iPhone and iPad, Apple-based Macs and Intel Macs (2017-2020 models) equipped with the T2 Security Chip now offer an “Erase All Content and Settings” option in macOS Monterey and later. This article explains how to use it to erase and factory reset your Mac if you plan to give it away, sell it, or trade it in. If you have an older Mac from before 2017, follow this link to erase and factory reset your computer instead.

Traditionally, wiping a Mac and restoring it to factory settings required manually logging out of a series of services, erasing the Mac's internal drive, and then reinstalling macOS. These steps are complicated, especially when you consider how easy it is to wipe your iPhone or iPad. To do this simply select an option called "Delete all content and settings" in iOS (available in Settings - General - Transfer or Reset iPhone Find>).

Luckily, Apple is bringing the same option to newer Macs running macOS Monterey and later. Erase All Content and Settings in macOS provides a very simple and straightforward way to erase your Mac without reinstalling the operating system. Because of the way storage is encrypted on Macs with Apple chips or T2 chips, this option provides the ability to instantly and securely "erase" all user dates by destroying the encryption keys.

Not only does this effectively erase all user data and user-installed apps from your Mac without reinstalling macOS, it also logs out of your Apple ID, removes your Touch ID fingerprint, Purchases and all Apple Wallet items, and turn off Finder and Activation Lock, making it easier to restore your Mac to new factory settings.

The following steps demonstrate how to complete the operation. Whether you want to start using your Mac again or plan to sell or give it to someone else, after you erase your computer using this option, your Mac will display the Setup Assistant and be ready to set up like a new computer.

Click the
1. Apple () symbol in the menu bar and select System Settings (## if you're not running macOS Ventura or later) #"System Preferences..."). If you're running macOS Ventura or later, select
General
2. in the sidebar, then choose Transfer or Restore ->Erase Erase all content and settings...". Otherwise, select System Preferences->Remove All Content and Settings from the menu bar.
   Enter your administrator password in the Erase Assistant dialog box prompt, and then click
OK
3. . If you haven't backed up your important data yet, follow the on-screen Time Machine suggestions. Otherwise, click
Continue
4. .
   Make a note of all settings, data, media, and other items that will be deleted. If you are sure, click
"Continue
5. ".
   Tap to sign out of your Apple ID, then tap
"Erase All Content and Settings
6. " at the prompt to confirm.
   
After completing these steps, allow the erasure process to complete. Your Mac may restart multiple times during this process. Once complete, you'll see a "hello" message on your Mac screen, indicating that your Mac has been factory reset and Setup Assistant is ready to start over.

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