Your Mac has a built-in assistant to help you securely erase and remove your data, like your personal information and activation lock. Here’s how to use Erase All Content and Settings to reset your Mac.
Before you start, be sure to back up your Mac using Time Machine if you need to save any information. The erase process permanently deletes your data. You’ll also need your Apple Account credentials to sign out of Apple Services and Find My.
Note: Erase All Content and Settings is only available on Mac computers with Apple Silicon or an Apple T2 Security Chip.
How to erase your Mac
We’ll teach you how to erase your Mac using macOS Ventura or later, and then how to erase your Mac using macOS Monterey.
macOS Ventura or later
Here’s how to erase all content and settings on Mac computers using macOS Ventura or later.
- First, click the Apple menu in the upper left corner of your screen.
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Click System Settings.
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Click General from the System Settings sidebar, and then click Transfer or Reset on the right.
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Next, click Erase All Content and Settings, and enter the administrator password you use to log in to your Mac.
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Now click Unlock, and the Erase Assistant will open with a summary of your settings, media, data, and other items that will be erased.
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To begin the process of erasing your data, click Continue and follow the prompts in the Erase Assistant, which includes signing out of Apple Services and Find My using your Apple Account.
When you’ve completed the steps, your Mac will restart and a progress bar will appear.
This will erase all your content, settings, and data, and might take some time.
If you’re selling, giving away, or trading in your Mac, you can end the process here.
Just press and hold the Power button on your Mac until it turns off. Or if you’re keeping your Mac, you might be prompted to reconnect your Bluetooth accessories like an external keyboard or mouse, and sign in to a Wi-Fi network to activate your Mac.
Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar in the upper right corner of your screen, and select your Wi-Fi network.
Next, enter your Wi-Fi password, and click Join.
Your Mac will activate and then restart after a countdown, or to proceed right away, you can click Restart.
After your Mac starts up, it’s fully restored to factory settings and ready to be set up again.
macOS Monterey
Now let’s learn how to erase all content and settings on your Mac using macOS Monterey.
- First, click the Apple menu in the upper left corner of your screen.
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Click System Preferences, then click System Preferences in the menu bar, and click Erase all content and settings.
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Next, enter the administrator password you used to log in to your Mac, and click OK. The Erase Assistant will then open up with a summary of your settings, media, data, and other items that will be erased.
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To begin the process of erasing your data, click Continue.
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Then follow the prompts in the Erase Assistant, which includes signing out of Apple services and Find My using your Apple Account.
When you’ve completed the steps, your Mac will restart and a progress bar will appear.
This will erase all your content, settings, and data, and might take some time.
If you’re selling, giving away, or trading in your Mac, you can end the process here.
Just press and hold the power button on your Mac until it turns off. Or if you’re keeping your Mac, you might be prompted to reconnect your Bluetooth accessories, like an external keyboard or mouse, and sign in to a Wi-Fi network to activate your Mac.
Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar in the upper right corner of your screen, and select your Wi-Fi network.
Next, enter your Wi-Fi password and click Join.
Your Mac will activate and then restart after a countdown. Or to proceed right away, you can click Restart.
After your Mac starts up, it’s fully restored to factory settings and ready to be set up again.
And that’s how to erase your Mac.
If you still need help, contact Apple Support to speak with an advisor.
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