Resetting your Mac to factory settings can be a useful option if you’re experiencing performance issues, want to sell your Mac, or simply want a fresh start. This process will erase all the data on your Mac and reinstall the operating system, returning it to its original state. In this tutorial, we’ll guide you through the steps to reset your Mac to factory settings.
Back Up Your Data
Before you proceed with resetting your Mac, it’s essential to back up all your important files and data. This will ensure that you don’t lose any valuable information during the reset process.
- Step 1: Connect an external hard drive or use cloud storage services like iCloud or Dropbox to back up your files.
- Step 2: Transfer all necessary files and folders to the backup location.
Deauthorize Your Computer
If you have authorized your Mac for services like iTunes, it’s crucial to deauthorize it before resetting.
- Step 1: Open iTunes and go to the Account menu.
- Step 2: Select “Authorizations” and click on “Deauthorize This Computer”.
Create a macOS Bootable Installer
In order to reinstall macOS after resetting, you’ll need a bootable installer. Here’s how you can create one:
- Step 1: Connect a USB drive with at least 12GB of storage capacity.
- Step 2: Open the App Store and search for macOS (insert version name).
- Step 3: Download the macOS installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Step 4: Launch Disk Utility, select your USB drive, and click on “Erase”.
- Step 5: Choose “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)” as the format and click “Erase” to format your USB drive.
- Step 6: Open Terminal and enter the command: sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ (insert version name).app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia –volume /Volumes/(your USB drive name) –applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ (insert version name).app
Reset Your Mac to Factory Settings
Now that you have backed up your data and created a bootable installer, you’re ready to reset your Mac.
- Step 1: Restart your Mac and hold down the Option key while it’s booting up.
- Step 2: Select the bootable installer drive from the list of available drives.
- Step 3: Once booted into the installer, choose your language preferences and click “Continue”.
- Step 4: Select “Disk Utility” from the Utilities menu.
- Step 5: In Disk Utility, select your Mac’s main hard drive and click on “Erase”.
- Note:This will erase all data on your Mac’s hard drive, so make sure you have backed up everything you need.
- Step 6: Choose “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)” as the format and click “Erase”.
- Step 7: Once formatting is complete, close Disk Utility.
- Step 8: In the macOS Utilities window, select “Reinstall macOS” and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve successfully reset your Mac to factory settings.
Your Mac is now like new, ready for you to set it up according to your preferences. Remember, resetting your Mac erases all data, so make sure you’ve backed up everything important beforehand. Enjoy your fresh start!
By following this tutorial, you’ve learned how to reset your Mac to factory settings using a bootable installer and Disk Utility. This process will help resolve performance issues, prepare your Mac for sale, or give you a clean slate for a fresh start.
If you found this tutorial helpful, feel free to share it with others who might benefit from it. Good luck with resetting your Mac!