How To Reset Your Mac To Factory Settings

There are many reasons why users might need to reset their Mac devices to Factory settings. Although the procedure is not that complex, it does involve multiple steps to be completed as thoroughly as possible. To speed up the entire process, make sure to follow the steps outlined below.

Back Up Your Data

Performing a factory reset means that all data stored on the device will be wiped. That is why all important files and apps should be backed up beforehand. Users can copy the files they want to keep to an external hard drive manually or take advantage of the built-in Time Machine feature. To use Time Machine do the following:

1. Select the Apple menu and open 'System Preferences.'
2. Select Time Machine
3. Click the 'Select Disk' button.
4. Choose the disk that you wish to use as a Time Machine backup and then click the 'Use Disk' button. 

Deauthorize iTunes

Make sure to unlink the Mac device from the iTunes app. After all, users can only have up to 5 authorized devices so no one would want to waste one of the spots. 

1. Open iTunes.
2. Open 'Account' from the menu bar.
3. Select 'Authorizations.'
4. Choose 'Deauthorize This Computer.'
5. Enter your Apple ID and password to confirm the change. 
6. Click on 'Deauthorize.'

Sign out of iCloud

1. Select the Apple menu and open 'System Preferences.'
2. Go to 'Apple ID.'
3. Select 'Overview' located in the sidebar.
4. Click on 'Sign Out.'

Sign out of iMessage

1. Go to Messages.
2. Locate Messages in the menu bar on the top left corner and click on it.
3. Choose 'Preferences from the drop-down menu.
4. Click on 'iMessage.'
5. Click 'Sign Out.'

Reset NVRAM

NVRAM or nonvolatile random-access memory is the memory type used in Mac devices. It stores specific settings and must be reset to return your device to factory settings. 

1. Shut down the Mac device.
2. Start it back up while pressing and holding the following combination of keys on your keyboard - Option + Command + P+ R.
3. Hold the keys for approximately 20 seconds and then release them.
4. Let the Mac boot as normal.

Erase Mac's Hard Drive

To return the Mac to its factory settings, the startup disk must be wiped. The default name of the startup disk is Macintosh HD. 

1. Start the system and press Command+R on your keyboard until an Apple logo appears on the screen. 
2. Select 'Disk Utility' from the available options.
3. Click 'Continue.'
4. Select the startup disk (Macintosh HD by default).
5. Click 'Erase' located at the top of the Disk Utility window.
6. Enter the required details:

Name - Macintosh HD

Format - APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled)

7. All that is left is to click the 'Erase Volume Group' button and provide your Apple ID if needed. 

Reinstall the OS

After wiping the startup disk, users will need to reinstall the device's operating system. Follow the steps outlined in the previous step to reach the Utilities menu. Once there, simply select the 'Reinstall macOS' option. Confirm your decision and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.