To factory reset a Mac, back it up, then open System Settings, General, Transfer or Reset, and choose Erase All Content and Settings. Enter your Mac password and Apple Account password when asked. The Mac wipes your data and apps and restarts as if new.
A factory reset is what you do before you sell, trade in or give away a Mac, or when you want a clean start because it's become slow and cluttered. On any Mac from the last several years it's a few clicks in System Settings, not the long disk-erasing routine it used to be. Here's how to do it safely, so you keep your files and the next owner can set the Mac up without needing you.
Before you start: back up
Everything on the Mac is erased: files, settings, apps and every user account. So back up first. Time Machine to an external drive is Apple's built-in option. If your documents and photos already sync to iCloud Drive and iCloud Photos, check they've finished uploading. If you're moving to a new Mac, you can also transfer everything across directly before you erase the old one.
Factory reset a Mac step by step
- From the Apple menu, choose System Settings.
- Click General in the sidebar, scroll down and click Transfer or Reset.
- Click Erase All Content and Settings.
- Enter your Mac login password when asked for administrator details.
- Enter your Apple Account password when asked. This signs the Mac out and turns off Find My, so the next person isn't locked out.
- Click Erase All Content & Settings to confirm.
The Mac restarts. You may be asked to turn on a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse; if it doesn't connect within 30 seconds, switch the accessory off and on again. You may also be asked to choose a Wi-Fi network so the Mac can activate.
The message to ignore
Partway through, macOS may ask whether you want to sign back in to your Apple Account or iCloud. Apple's instruction is to ignore it and carry on with the erase. Signing back in would undo the point of the reset, which is to remove your account from the machine.
Selling it? Stop at the setup screen
When the erase finishes, the Mac shows the setup assistant as if it were new. If someone else is going to use it, don't set it up. Apple says to press and hold the power button until the Mac turns off, leaving it in an out-of-box state for the next owner. The same goes for any Bluetooth keyboard or mouse you're keeping: don't pair them again.
Which Macs can do this
| Your Mac | How to reset |
|---|---|
| Apple silicon or T2 chip, macOS Monterey 12 or later | Erase All Content and Settings, as above |
| macOS Monterey 12 on a supported Mac | System Preferences menu, Erase All Content and Settings |
| Older Intel Mac without a T2 chip | Apple's longer sell or trade-in steps: erase the disk in Recovery and reinstall macOS |
To check, open the Apple menu and choose About This Mac. If it lists an Apple chip such as M1 or later, you can use the quick method. Many Intel Macs from recent years have the T2 security chip and can use it too.
Common problems
- Asked to erase other volumes first: you've probably installed Windows with Boot Camp. Remove Windows and its partition with Boot Camp Assistant, then try again.
- Forgot your Apple Account password: reset it before you start, because the Mac needs it to switch off Activation Lock.
- Mac was repaired recently: on Apple silicon Macs running macOS 26 or later, Apple suggests running Repair Assistant first to check for an unfinished repair.
Reset to fix a slow Mac?
A reset does clear years of clutter, but it's a big step for a speed problem. First try removing apps you don't use and checking Storage in System Settings. If you do reset, reinstall apps one at a time rather than restoring everything from a backup, or you'll bring the clutter straight back. Be wary of cleaner apps that promise the same result; my look at whether MacKeeper is safe explains why.
What to do with linked devices and services
Before you hand the Mac over, it's worth tidying a few things that live outside the Mac itself. Sign out of apps that have a limit on how many computers can use them, such as Microsoft Office or Adobe apps, so you don't lose a slot to a machine you no longer own. If you've paired AirPods or an Apple Watch with the Mac, they'll simply stop seeing it. And once the Mac is gone, check your Apple Account device list on another device and remove the old Mac if it's still there, so it doesn't show up when you sign in elsewhere.
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After the reset
If you're keeping the Mac, follow the setup assistant, sign in with your Apple Account and restore from your backup, or start fresh and pull only your documents back from iCloud Drive. If you used Google Drive for work files, my guide to adding Google Drive to your computer gets them syncing again.
My verdict
On a modern Mac, factory resetting is quick and safe as long as you back up first. Use Erase All Content and Settings, ignore the prompt to sign back in, and if you're selling, switch the Mac off at the setup screen rather than setting it up yourself.
Frequently asked questions
How do I factory reset my Mac?
Open System Settings, General, Transfer or Reset, then choose Erase All Content and Settings.
Does a factory reset remove my Apple Account?
Yes. It signs you out of iCloud and turns off Find My and Activation Lock.
Can I factory reset a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro the same way?
Yes, on models with Apple silicon or the T2 chip running macOS Monterey 12 or later.
What if Erase All Content and Settings is missing?
Your Mac is older. Use Apple's sell or trade-in steps to erase the disk and reinstall macOS.
Should I set up the Mac after resetting it to sell?
No. Hold the power button to switch it off at the setup screen.
