MacBook to factory defaults: here’s how to do it

By restoring the factory settings of your MacBook, you will delete all files from the hard drive. This will allow you to continue with a clean slate, or prevent your data from going out into the wide world when you stop using your laptop. Want to reset your MacBook, but have no idea where to start? We’ll help you out!

What is restoring factory settings?

Restoring the factory settings of your MacBook or other devices leaves the same settings as when it left the factory. It means that all personal data and changes have been deleted. You also clean up your laptop by manually deleting apps, passwords and other data, but this will never completely clear your laptop. Tips for cleaning up a MacBook can also be found on our website.

Why reset a MacBook?

Restoring a MacBook back to factory settings is very important for several reasons. For example, getting rid of a lot of unnecessary files or viruses can be a huge boost to your laptop’s speed. Also, if you don’t want to use your MacBook any further and can pass it on for sale or want to recycle it, it’s smart to reset it. That way, you can be sure there is no personal information left on it before your laptop goes to a new user. In the unlikely event your old device ends up in the wrong hands, at least you’ll be safe!

How do I reset my MacBook to factory settings?

Resetting your MacBook is a simple job. But if you’re going to reset your MacBook, of course you want to do it without losing any data. Therefore, always remember to back up all your important files and passwords before resetting your laptop to factory settings. This can be done in the cloud on or an external hard drive so you can keep all the data. After this, it’s just a matter of following the right steps to reset your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. We’ve listed them for you:

Do you have a MacBook with Apple Silicon or a MacBook with the Apple T2 security chip and are using macOS Monterey or newer?

Then the reset is even easier! Then use the “Erase all content and settings” function. This deletes all settings, usage data and apps super fast and safely, while leaving the macOS software on your MacBook. Approximately the same method has been available for iPhones for some time.

macOS Ventura or newer
1. From the Apple menu in the upper left corner of the screen, select System Settings.
2. Click on “General” in the navigation column.
3. On the right, click “Transfer or Reset.
4. Click “Delete all content and settings.

macOS Monterey
1. From the Apple menu in the upper left corner of the screen, select System Preferences.
2. From the System Preferences menu in the menu bar, select “Delete all content and settings.

After this, the erase assistant opens. Follow the instructions to wipe all data on your MacBook and restore it to factory settings. The wipe assistant asks you to log out of “find my” with your Apple ID. In addition, you have to enter your password.

At this point you can also make a backup copy: a backup with all your data. After this, click “Delete all content and settings” and confirm that you want to continue.

MacBook will now reboot several times, usually seeing a progress bar. Once you see the configuration assistant, you’re done. This assistance is mainly for new users, allowing them to configure their MacBook to their liking.

Does your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air not have the “Erase all content and settings” option?

1. Back up of the data you want to keep with a backup copy or transfer it to your new MacBook with the migration assistant.
2. Log out of iTunes -> Do you have macOS Catalina or newer? Then you can skip this.
In the menu bar in iTunes, choose “Account” > “Permissions” > “Revoke authorization for this computer.
Enter your Apple ID and password and select “Revoke Authorization.
3. Log the MacBook out of the iCloud ..
Does your MacBook have macOS Ventura or newer:
1. Choose the Apple menu > “System Settings.
2. Click on your name (Apple ID) in the navigation column.
3. On the right side, scroll down and click “Log Out.

Does your MacBook have macOS Monterey, macOS Big Sur or macOS Catalina:
1. Choose the Apple menu > “System Preferences.
2. Click on “Apple ID.
3. Select “Overview” from the navigation column.
4. Click “Log off.

Does your MacBook have an older version of macOS

1. Choose the Apple menu > “System Preferences.
2. Click on “Apple ID.
3. Click “Log off.

Wipe the Macbook Pro or MacBook Air with macOS recovery:

1. This is a way to reset your MacBook at startup with a key combination. Turn on the MacBook, then immediately press and hold the following two keys until you see the Apple logo: Command ( ⌘) and R. After you use this key combination, sometimes you have to enter the password, but in some cases you can reset your MacBook without entering a password.
2. Choose: Disk Utility and continue.
3. Select “Macintosh HD” and enter:
Name: Macintosh HD
Structure: APFS
After this, click ‘Clear’ and if prompted, enter the Apple ID.
4. When this is complete return to the Disk Utility menu.
Your old MacBook is now reset to factory settings. If you’re going to recycle your laptop, then you’re done now! If you are going to sell it or give it away then you still need to reinstall macOS with step 5.

Reinstall macOS from macOS recovery:

1. Select “Reinstall macOS.
2. Click “Continue” and follow the on-screen instructions.
If given a choice between Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD – Data, choose Macintosh HD.
3. Wait for the installation to complete. This may take a while, as the MacBook will reboot a few times.

And on! Now you can hand over your MacBook to a new owner with peace of mind.

Did your MacBook restore to factory settings fail?

In case resetting your MacBook didn’t work even though you performed the steps above? Or is something unclear to you? Our specialists at ThePhoneLab will be happy to help. Feel free to drop by – look here for a branch near you.

At ThePhoneLab, we always perform a free diagnosis first – usually we can help you quickly and free of charge. Is the problem more complicated? Even then we are happy to fix it for you, and we will always tell you in advance what the exact cost will be.