What restoring to factory default means and when to do it
Restoring your Mac to factory default wipes everything on the drive — all your files, settings, installed programs, and accounts — and reinstalls the original operating system that came with the machine. This is different from signing out of your Apple ID or clearing your browser cache. It is a complete reset.
You might do this before selling or giving away the Mac, after a serious malware infection, or when the system has become so cluttered or unstable that starting fresh is faster than troubleshooting. It is also the nuclear option if you have forgotten your login password and cannot recover it through Apple ID.
The process takes 30 minutes to several hours depending on your Mac model, internet speed, and how much data is on the drive. You will need your Apple ID password, a working internet connection, and ideally a backup of anything you want to keep.
Key Takeaways
- Back up your Mac using Time Machine or another method before you start, because the reset will delete everything on the drive.
- On Intel Macs, use Erase and Reinstall from the Settings app; on Apple Silicon Macs (M1 and newer), use Erase All Content and Settings.
- You will need your Apple ID password during the process, and the Mac will ask for it before allowing the erase to proceed.
- After the reset completes, the Mac will restart and show the setup screen as though it were brand new, and you can choose not to restore from a backup.
- If you cannot remember your Apple ID password, you can reset it through iforgot.apple.com before starting the erase process.
Back up your data before you erase
Once you start the erase process, there is no undo. If you have files, photos, or settings you want to keep, back them up first. The easiest method is Time Machine, which is built into macOS and backs up your entire Mac to an external drive automatically.
To set up Time Machine: plug in an external hard drive or SSD, open System Settings, go to General > Time Machine, click Add Backup Disk, and select your external drive. Time Machine will then back up your Mac automatically. A full backup usually takes a few hours the first time, depending on how much data you have.
If you do not have an external drive, you can also manually copy important files to cloud storage (iCloud Drive, Google Drive, Dropbox) or email them to yourself. Just make sure the files are actually uploaded and not still waiting in a queue.
How to erase an Intel Mac
If your Mac has an Intel processor (most Macs made before late 2020), follow these steps:
- Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings.
- Click General in the left sidebar.
- Scroll down and click Transfer or Reset.
- Click Erase All Content and Settings (or Erase and Reinstall if that option appears).
- The Mac will ask you to enter your Apple ID password. Type it in and click Continue.
- You will see a warning that this will erase everything. Click Erase to confirm.
- The Mac will restart and begin the erase process. This can take 30 minutes to an hour.
- When it finishes, the Mac will restart again and show the setup screen, as though it were brand new.
Do not unplug the Mac or close the lid during this process. If the Mac goes to sleep, move the mouse or press a key to wake it.
How to erase an Apple Silicon Mac (M1, M2, M3, and newer)
If your Mac has an Apple Silicon chip (M1, M2, M3, M4, or newer — most Macs made in 2021 or later), the process is slightly different:
- Click the Apple menu and select System Settings.
- Click General in the left sidebar.
- Scroll down and click Transfer or Reset.
- Click Erase All Content and Settings.
- Enter your Apple ID password when prompted and click Continue.
- Read the warning and click Erase to confirm.
- The Mac will restart and begin erasing. This usually takes 15 to 30 minutes on Apple Silicon Macs because they are faster.
- When done, the Mac will restart and show the setup screen.
The steps are the same whether you have an M1, M2, M3, or newer chip. If you are not sure which processor your Mac has, click the Apple menu, select About This Mac, and look at the line that says Chip.
What to do if you do not know your Apple ID password
The erase process will not proceed without your Apple ID password. If you have forgotten it, you can reset it before you start the erase.
Go to iforgot.apple.com in a web browser on any device. Enter your Apple ID (usually your email address), and Apple will send you a link to reset your password. Follow the link, create a new password, and write it down. Then return to your Mac and start the erase process.
If you do not remember which email address is your Apple ID, or if you cannot access the email address associated with it, you will need to contact Apple Support before you can erase the Mac. Call 1-800-MY-APPLE or visit support.apple.com to start a chat.
After the erase is complete: the setup screen
When your Mac restarts after the erase, it will show the setup screen you would see on a brand new Mac. You will be asked to select your language, country, and keyboard layout, then to sign in with your Apple ID.
At this point, you have two choices: sign in with your Apple ID and restore from your Time Machine backup (which will put all your old files, programs, and settings back on the Mac), or skip the backup and set up the Mac as new. If you erased the Mac because of malware or performance problems, setting up as new is usually safer because it does not restore the old problem.
If you are giving the Mac to someone else, do not sign in with your Apple ID. Let the new owner complete the setup with their own Apple ID instead. This ensures they have full control of the Mac and you do not have access to it anymore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will erasing my Mac remove the operating system?
No. The erase process removes your files and settings, then reinstalls the same version of macOS that came with your Mac. You will end up with a clean copy of the operating system, not a blank drive.
Can I stop the erase once it has started?
Not safely. If you force shut down the Mac during an erase, you may end up with a Mac that will not start. Let the process finish, even if it takes longer than expected.
What if I restore from a Time Machine backup and the problem comes back?
If malware or a corrupted file caused the original problem, restoring from backup may bring it back. If that happens, erase again and set up as new instead of restoring from backup. You can then manually copy back only the files you need.
Do I need an internet connection during the erase?
Yes. Your Mac needs to read and reinstall macOS during the process. Use a wired Ethernet connection if possible, as it is more stable than Wi-Fi. If you do not have internet, the erase will fail partway through.
Can I erase my Mac remotely using Find My Mac?
Yes, if you have another device and your Mac is turned on and connected to the internet. Go to iCloud.com, click Find My, select your Mac, and choose Erase This Mac. This works the same way as erasing in person, but you will not see the progress on the Mac itself.