Factory resetting your mac is an effective way of troubleshooting problems on your computer that cannot be fixed by other methods such as deleting files or changing settings. It’s also necessary when you’re planning to sell or give away your Mac, as it removes all data and restores it to its original factory settings. Here’s how you can factory reset your Mac.

Backup important files

Before factory resetting your Mac, it’s essential to backup essential files you don’t want to lose. You can do this through several methods such as using an external hard drive, cloud storage, or Time Machine. Ensure that you back up all files you need before undertaking the resetting process.

Sign out of iCloud

Apple devices are often linked with an iCloud account that stores all your data, including contacts, calendars, notes, and photos. Before resetting your Mac, sign out of your iCloud account to avoid losing your iCloud data. To sign out, click on the Apple icon on the top left corner of your desktop and select System Preferences. From there, click on Apple ID, then Overview, and finally, Sign Out.

Deauthorize iTunes

If you have an iTunes account that you’ve used to download music or movies, it’s essential to deauthorize it before resetting your Mac. This prevents anyone from using your account and stealing your purchases. To deauthorize, open iTunes and head to Account>Authorizations>Deauthorize This Computer.

Reinstall the macOS

Restart your Mac and hold down Option+Command+R keys to enter Recovery Mode. Then, follow the instructions shown on your screen to reinstall the macOS. Note that this process may take a while, so be patient.

Erase your hard drive

Once your Mac is done reinstalling the macOS, navigate to Disk Utility, and select your Mac’s hard drive. Then, click on Erase and choose the format you’d like to use for your hard drive. Remember that this process deletes all data on your Mac, so make sure you’ve backed up your files.

Reinstall the macOS

Once you’ve erased your hard drive, you’ll need to reinstall the macOS once again. This time, choose the reinstall macOS option and follow the instructions that pop up on your screen to complete the process.

Conclusion

Factory resetting a Mac is a simple process that allows you to solve various issues, including malfunctioning software, persistent errors, or if you’re planning to sell or give away your Mac. Remember to back up all your files before the resetting process, deauthorize your iTunes account, and sign out of your iCloud account. Once you’ve done those steps, reinstall the macOS and erase the hard drive to complete the factory reset process.