Back up your Mac before erasing it. If it has Apple silicon or an Intel processor with the Apple T2 Security Chip and runs macOS Monterey 12 or later, use Erase All Content and Settings (also called Erase Assistant). If it does not, follow Apple’s older macOS Recovery and Disk Utility procedure instead. For a handoff, stop at Setup Assistant so the next owner can set up the Mac.
Choose the right erase method for your Mac
Check your Mac’s processor type and macOS version before you begin. Apple’s current guidance makes Erase All Content and Settings available on Apple silicon Macs and Intel Macs with the Apple T2 Security Chip when they run macOS Monterey 12 or later. Not every Intel Mac has a T2 chip.
| Mac and macOS | Method for preparing a transfer |
|---|---|
| Apple silicon, macOS Monterey 12 or later | Erase All Content and Settings / Erase Assistant |
| Intel with Apple T2 Security Chip, macOS Monterey 12 or later | Erase All Content and Settings / Erase Assistant |
| Mac without Erase All Content and Settings | Use Apple’s legacy sign-out, macOS Recovery, Disk Utility, and reinstall procedure where applicable |
Menu labels vary with macOS version. Apple’s Erase your Mac guide covers the supported reset path. Apple specifically warns not to use the older erase-and-reinstall instructions for Apple silicon or Intel Macs with the T2 chip; those Macs should use Erase Assistant for a transfer.
Back up your files before erasing
Erasing removes the information on the Mac. Apple’s advice is direct: “Before you start, back up your Mac with Time Machine.” A backup gives you a way to restore personal files after they have been deleted from the original Mac.
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- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Set up a Time Machine backup
- Connect an external storage device that you intend to use as the backup destination.
- Open System Settings > General > Time Machine.
- Add the connected disk as a backup destination and follow the on-screen instructions.
Time Machine is built into macOS and can automatically back up files. Choose a destination with enough capacity for the files you want to preserve, and check that it is compatible with your Mac and connection. The capacity you need depends on your data; there is no single drive size that suits every Mac.
Before proceeding, make sure the backup has completed and that you can access the files you care about. Apple’s support material describes Time Machine backup and restore, but does not establish a universal integrity-check procedure for every setup.
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- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Erase a supported Mac with Erase Assistant
Use this route for a supported Apple silicon or Intel/T2 Mac running macOS Monterey 12 or later when you are preparing it for sale, a gift, trade-in, or recycling. Start only after you have made the backup you need: the process is destructive.
- Open the Apple menu and choose System Settings (or System Preferences on some macOS versions).
- Find and choose Erase All Content and Settings. The location and exact wording can vary by macOS release; follow the prompts in Erase Assistant.
- Review what will be removed and confirm the erase when prompted.
Erase Assistant signs the Mac out of Apple services, turns off Find My and Activation Lock, removes user accounts and their data, deletes installed apps and settings, and removes all volumes. Apple says the Mac is no longer associated with you after Find My and Activation Lock are turned off. A Windows Boot Camp volume, if present, is erased too. This is Apple’s reset process, not a stated forensic file-shredding guarantee.
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Erase a Mac that does not support Erase Assistant
If your Mac lacks Erase All Content and Settings, use Apple’s older process rather than applying the Intel-without-T2 instructions to a newer Mac. Apple’s transfer guidance includes signing out of iCloud, erasing through macOS Recovery and Disk Utility, reinstalling macOS, and then quitting Setup Assistant. Deauthorizing iTunes applies to older systems; it is not needed on macOS Catalina 10.15 or later.
Sign out of services where applicable
Follow the instructions for your macOS version in Apple’s what to do before selling, giving away, trading in, or recycling your Mac. Sign out of iCloud as directed. If the Mac runs an older version that uses iTunes authorization, deauthorize it; skip that step on Catalina 10.15 or later.
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- Ultra fast data transfers: the external hard drive works with USB 3.0 thickened copper cable to provide super fast transfer speeds. Theoretical read speed is as high as 110MB/s-133MB/s and write speed is as high as 103MB/s.
- Ultra-thin and quiet: the motherboard adopts a noise-free solution, giving you a quiet working environment. Lightweight and portable size designed to fit in your pocket for easy portability.
- Compatibility: compatible with PS4/xbox one/Windows/Linux/Mac/Android,Stable and fast downloading on game console no difference from fast transmission when using on PC.
- Plug and Play: no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use. The hard drive chip is wrapped with aluminum anti-interference layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data
- Package Contents: 1* portable hard drive, 1 *USB 3.0 cable, 1*USB to type C adapter，1 *user manual, shell packaging, three-year manufacturer's warranty and free technical support services
Erase and reinstall using macOS Recovery
For an Intel Mac without T2, Apple’s dedicated Erase and reinstall macOS guide directs users to start in macOS Recovery, select the volume in Disk Utility, choose APFS, erase the volume group, and then reinstall macOS. The exact Recovery startup steps depend on the Mac and its software. Do not use this older Intel procedure for Apple silicon or Intel/T2 Macs being prepared for transfer.
Reinstalling macOS from Recovery requires an internet connection. After the erase, use the Recovery installer to install macOS if the Mac needs a clean operating system.
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Restore your files or leave the Mac ready for its next owner
If you are keeping the Mac, you can use your Time Machine backup to restore personal files after the operating system is ready. If ownership is changing, do not set up the erased Mac with your own account. When the Mac reaches Setup Assistant, press Command-Q to quit and leave setup for the next owner, as Apple’s legacy transfer instructions direct.
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