Erase All Content and Settings resets a Mac to factory settings on Apple silicon and T2 Macs with macOS Monterey 12 or later. Open System Settings then General then Transfer or Reset and select the option. Erasing removes all data so make a backup first. Older Macs need the manual steps in the Apple sell or trade in guide.
You sell a Mac or hand it to a new user and you want no trace of your files or accounts. Newer Macs finish a factory reset in a few steps.
Steps follow the Apple Support pages on erasing your Mac and what to do before you sell or trade in a Mac. Menu names can differ between macOS versions.
How can You Prepare a Mac Before Erasing It?
- Backup your files. Erasing removes all data.
- Check your Mac model. Built in erase needs an Apple silicon or T2 Mac with macOS Monterey 12 or later.
- Prepare your passwords. You enter the macOS admin password and your Apple Account password.
How do You Reset a Mac to Factory Settings?
- Select the Apple menu then System Settings.
- Select General then Transfer or Reset.
- Select Erase All Content and Settings.
- Enter your macOS admin password.
- Enter your Apple Account password.
- Select Erase All Content & Settings to confirm.
Your Mac restarts. Apple states you may need to reconnect Bluetooth accessories and select a Wi-Fi network. It restarts again when finished.
For a sale or trade in, press the power button until the Mac shuts down instead of setting it up.
What if You Use macOS Monterey 12?
Open System Preferences then choose the erase option from the menu bar. On that version the option sits in the menu bar and not in the General pane.
What if the Option is Missing?
Apple points you to the manual guide for Macs without the option. Its steps follow in order:
- Sign out of iCloud.
- Sign out of iMessage.
- Unpair Bluetooth accessories if you hand the Mac to another person nearby.
- Erase the disk with Disk Utility from macOS Recovery and reinstall macOS.
- Reset NVRAM on Intel Macs.
Apple lists deauthorizing iTunes only for macOS Catalina 10.15 or earlier. If a message says other volumes must be erased first, Boot Camp may be installed so use Boot Camp Assistant to remove it.
Related guides: how to free up storage on a Mac and how to wipe disk data permanently.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I Factory Reset a MacBook?
Open System Settings then General then Transfer or Reset and select the erase option.
Does the Erase Option Delete My Files?
Yes. Apple states erasing removes all data so make a backup first.
Which Macs can Use the Erase Option?
Apple silicon Macs and Macs with the T2 chip on macOS Monterey 12 or later.
What Passwords do I Need?
You need the macOS admin password and your Apple Account password.
How do I Leave a Mac Ready for a New Owner?
Press the power button until the Mac shuts down instead of setting it up after the restart.
Key Takeaways
- Backup your files before you erase a Mac.
- Built in erase needs Apple silicon or a T2 chip.
- macOS Monterey 12 is the oldest version with the option.
- Older Macs follow the manual Apple guide.
- Shut the Mac down at setup to ready it for sale.
Sources and References
Steps follow Apple Support pages.
- Erase your Mac and reset it to factory settings (Apple Support) support.apple.com
- What to do before you sell, give away, trade in or recycle your Mac (Apple Support) support.apple.com