How to Factory Reset Your MacBook? [3 Steps]

Performing factory reset on a Macbook is crucial in many cases. For instance, if you’re selling your Macbook to someone else, you would want to ensure that it does not contain any of your personal information. Apart from deleting all your files, performing the factory reset will also remove your iCloud account. As a result, no one would be able to access your private data.

But before performing the factory reset, it’s crucial to remember a few tips before factory reset Macbook that’ll make your entire job much easier.

Tips Before Factory Reset MacBook
Introdcution 0:00s
1. Back Up Your MacBook 1:08s
2. Sign Out of iCloud 2:09s
3. Sign Out of iMessage 2:42s
4. Unpair Bluetooth Devices 3:12s

How to Factory Reset MacBook

1 - Reset NVRAM 3:49s

To do so, turn off the laptop and power it back on. Now, immediately press the “Option, Command, P, and R” keys simultaneously and wait for at least 20 seconds. Release the keys and the Macbook will start normally. This clears user settings from memory and restores certain security features that might have been altered.

2 - Boot into macOS Recovery 4:21s

You can do this by turning off Mac and holding down the “Command” & “R” keys. When the Apple logo appears, release the keys. You’ll be prompted to the “macOS Utilities” window. Here select “Disk Utility” and click “Continue”.

Then you can erase data from Mac’s hard drive. You’ll see the “Disk Utilities” window on your screen. Now, you can move towards and start erasing the “Startup Disk”. Simply choose “Startup Disk” from the left sidebar and click “Erase” at the top of the screen. Once the startup disk is completely erased, click “Done” to exit the “Disk Utility” window.
Finally, you will reinstall macOS.

4 - Reinstall macOS 5:05s

You’ll again be prompted back to the “macOS Utilities” window. Before moving further, make sure to connect to a Wifi network as you’ll require an Internet connection to download the macOS.

Choose “Reinstall macOS” from the “macOS Utilities” window and click “Continue”. A pop-up will appear on your screen. Click “Continue” again to continue with the process. Now, agree to the license agreement and click “Install”.

The installation process will begin automatically. Be patient as this process can take a while to complete. After the macOS installs successfully, your Macbook will restart. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Macbook. That wraps up our video on how to factory reset your Macbook.
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[mizusij]

I was having a problem with resetting my Mac and this was the only video that worked. Pressing command r did not work for me so I followed the video and shutdown my Mac then held command r while it was launching and it worked. Thank you

[CindyRNER]

Easy and simple to follow his instructions. This was the 4th video that I watched and finally I was able to reset my Mac!

[amaliaceballos]

All you'll need to reboot your Mac if you are not tech smart. Thank you so much, this video was very helpful!

[wilshnaidermonumar]

clear, you are so clear, easy and simple. now i can say that i am going to be a teacher for other people.

[CupaPlays]

I couldn’t get anything to download that I needed on my computer so I tried resetting my admin password but for that I needed the password apparently so after trial and error I decided it would just be easier to do this. So thankyou

[sans]

can you do a video on resetting your password with recovery mode without your apple id

[caydo]

I need help I reset my MacBook from my moms information to my own information. It now just resets randomly after a while and when I close the lid and open it up later I can only type in the password after it resets it will then load. I don’t understand what I did. I followed a different video and I know it was reliable. What should I do?

[rossinaschroeer-santiago]

SUPER EASY to follow and very accurate! Saved myself money by not having to take it in to an authorized Apple repair shop. Thank you!

[poidellj.jacques]

I bought an old MacBook pro. I tried to factory reset it by watching your video however at the end it said this disk is locked. Now I am stuck and don’t know what to do. Please help, thank you

[giandilawari]

Hi - Good video and well done. One issue - In Catalina - you have two disks/volume /partitions. Lets assume one is MacPro SSD and second will be MacPro SSD- Data . I don't recall you pointing out that in the video that both have to be erased when in recovery mode to reset the contents. Please confirm. I only did the first one and reloaded the Catalina and then realized that that was not correct. I assume it will erase both volumes. Now have to go back and do both again and reload the Catalina !! I am assuming that is what is required.

[baustin]

I purchased my 'Book" from a good friend(as he needed loot) so, all the "paperwork" is in order... I just want to start over? (by the way, it's a 2020 model) Will I need to use the external hard drive? Please advise 🙂

[FadzliRealtor]

I am trying to reinstall after deleting it previously for a new owner for my laptop. Now I want to install the OS. It keeps on giving me error saying "an error occurred when preparing the installation".

Changed the date and time still nothing.

So I am trying to start from the beginning by erasing everything again. APFS is greyed out. When I choose Mac OS extended journaled, it gives me an error.

[anbalibakary]

Good video tutorial very much helpful.

[lovemesomeofyall]

Thanks for this helpful tutorial. I forgot to sign out of iMessage. I remember when I got to the Disk Utility section. Is there a way to go back and redo that step before proceeding?

[Diamond-bfzs]

Thank you so very much. Finally I get it done. Thank you!

[haithamabdallah]

I reinstalled macOS Catalina but it says macOS could not be installed on your computer I’ve been trying to find a solution but can’t please help me I will be so grateful

[joshenos]

Well so much for that....I have a whole disk free to install Big Sur but I keep getting a message that I don’t have enough space on disk to install so now I’m stuck in a loop and can’t do anything

[subashs]

Thank You 💗 Best Video, Short Sweet and More precise ❤️

[quinnmiller]

Great video, much thanks, time to move to my NEW MacBook Pro..!

[brooksstenstrom]

you helped me so much, you make it very easy, i recovered my mac os successfully, , , ,