You can format your Mac using the “Erase All Content and Settings” tool, available in the “Transfer and Reset” menu. This function allows you to reset your device and macOS operating system, leaving your computer as good as new.
This is a must-do if you’re selling or giving away your Mac to someone else. It’s also useful when you want to clear out all the files on your machine to make it run faster.
It is important to note that you will erase all settings, data and installed software when formatting your Mac computer. Therefore, it is recommended to have a backup on an external hard drive or synchronized on iCloud to restore important files.
Below, see the step-by-step guide to formatting a Mac.
1. Open the “System Settings” on your Mac computer
Click on the Apple menu, the apple icon in the upper left corner of the screen, and select the “System Settings” option.
2. Click on the macOS “General” menu
Click on the “General” option in the menu on the left side of the screen to see details about your Mac computer.
3. Select the “Transfer or Reset” option
Click “Transfer or Reset” to access the Mac formatting feature.
4. Click “Erase All Content and Settings”
Click “Erase All Content and Settings” to access the tool to factory reset your Mac.
5. Enter your password for the Erasure Wizard
In the pop-up menu, enter your Mac’s lock password and tap “Unlock” to proceed.
6. Check the contents and settings that will be removed
See the list of contents that will be deleted during the Mac restore. Then, click “Continue”.
7. Sign out of your Apple ID
Enter your Apple ID password to sign out of this Mac computer. Then click the “Continue” button.
8. Confirm that you want to “Erase All Content and Settings” from your Mac
Click “Erase All Content and Settings” to begin the process of restoring your Mac.
9. Wait for your Mac to complete formatting
The computer will restart a few times during the formatting process. After the procedure, click the “Restart” button to restart the machine with factory settings.
Why doesn’t my Mac show the Erase All Content and Settings option?
The “Erase All Content and Settings” feature is only available on newer Macs running macOS Monterey or later. Additionally, the machine must have an Apple silicon (M1, M2) processor or the Apple T2 Security Chip, available on some Intel-based Mac models.
If your Mac doesn’t meet the requirements, you can reinstall macOS using the recovery tool . This process will format your disk and restore your operating system to factory settings.
Can I format a Mac using a USB flash drive?
Yes, you can format your Mac using a USB flash drive with a bootable installer. This option is useful for those who want to perform a clean installation of the operating system, removing all data and programs from the computer. It is also ideal for cases where there is no internet connection available.
What happens when you format your Mac?
When you format a Mac computer, all data, settings, and software are completely removed. This means that the device returns to its factory state, as if it were being turned on for the first time.
During formatting, your hard drive is wiped clean and prepared to receive a new operating system. After the process, you’ll need to set up your Mac from scratch, choosing a language, creating an account, setting user preferences, and installing the applications you want.
Is it possible to restore a Mac that was formatted by mistake?
Yes, it is possible to recover data from a computer that was formatted by mistake as long as you have previously backed up your Mac. You can then recover files using Migration Assistant, iCloud sync, or third-party software.
