How to Delete Everything on Mac

Alicia Santos

Mac, Tutorials

Are you looking to delete everything on your Mac and start fresh? Whether you want to sell your Mac, hand it down to someone else, or simply want to clear up clutter and start with a clean slate, this tutorial will guide you through the process step by step. Let’s dive in!

Back Up Your Data

Before we begin, it’s essential to back up all your important files and data. This ensures that nothing valuable is lost during the deletion process. You can use Time Machine or any other backup software of your choice.

Sign Out of iCloud

If you are signed in to iCloud on your Mac, it’s vital to sign out before deleting everything. This prevents any potential issues with syncing and data loss. Follow these steps:

  1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
  2. Select System Preferences from the dropdown menu.
  3. Click on Apple ID.
  4. Select Overview from the left sidebar.
  5. Click on Sign Out at the bottom of the window.

Erase Your Hard Drive

The next step is to erase your hard drive completely. This ensures that all your files, applications, and personal data are permanently deleted. Follow these steps:

  1. Restart your Mac while holding down Command + R until the Apple logo appears.
  2. Select Disk Utility from the macOS Utilities window that appears and click Continue.
  3. In Disk Utility, select your Mac’s startup disk from the sidebar.
  4. Click on the Erase tab at the top of the Disk Utility window.
  5. Choose a format and name for your disk. If you plan to reinstall macOS, select APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled) as the format.

    Otherwise, choose APFS (Encrypted) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted) for added security.

  6. Click on Erase to begin the erasing process. This may take some time depending on the size of your hard drive.

Reinstall macOS

Once your hard drive is erased, it’s time to reinstall macOS. Follow these steps:

  1. Exit Disk Utility.
  2. Select Reinstall macOS from the macOS Utilities window.
  3. Click Continue and follow the on-screen instructions. This will guide you through the process of reinstalling macOS on your freshly erased hard drive.

Congratulations! You’re Done!

You have successfully deleted everything on your Mac and reinstalled macOS. Your Mac is now ready for its new owner or a fresh start for yourself. Enjoy using your clean and optimized machine!

In summary, deleting everything on your Mac involves backing up your data, signing out of iCloud, erasing your hard drive, and reinstalling macOS. Following these steps ensures that all personal data is securely removed and gives you a fresh start with your Mac.

Note: It’s crucial to double-check that you have backed up all necessary files before proceeding with the deletion process. Once the erasing process begins, it cannot be undone.

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