How to Reset Mac to Factory Settings

Complete guide to factory reset your Mac. Erase all data, reinstall macOS, and restore your MacBook or iMac to original settings safely.

1. Back up your data. Connect an external drive and create a Time Machine backup by going to System Preferences > Time Machine > Select Backup Disk. Wait for the initial backup to complete before proceeding. Alternatively, manually copy important files to cloud storage or an external drive.
2. Sign out of all Apple services. Open System Preferences > Apple ID and click Overview. Click Sign Out and enter your Apple ID password when prompted. Also sign out of iTunes by opening the app, clicking Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize This Computer.
3. Boot into Recovery Mode. Restart your Mac and immediately hold Command + R until you see the Apple logo or spinning globe. For Macs with Apple Silicon, press and hold the power button until startup options appear, then select Options and click Continue.
4. Open Disk Utility. From the macOS Utilities window, select Disk Utility and click Continue. Select your startup disk (usually named Macintosh HD) from the sidebar. Click Erase, choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) or APFS as the format, name the drive, then click Erase.
5. Reinstall macOS. Close Disk Utility to return to macOS Utilities. Select Reinstall macOS and click Continue. Follow the onscreen instructions, select your erased disk as the installation destination, and wait for the download and installation to complete.
6. Complete the setup process. When your Mac restarts, it will display the Setup Assistant. Choose your country, create a new user account, and configure basic settings. Skip data migration and Apple ID sign-in if you plan to sell or transfer the Mac.