Which steps apply to your Mac
Macs with Apple silicon (M1 or later) and Intel Macs with the T2 security chip running macOS Monterey or later can use Erase All Content and Settings. It signs you out, turns off Activation Lock and erases the Mac in one step.
Older Intel Macs need the longer process in Recovery. To check, open the Apple menu, then About This Mac, and look for Chip or Processor.
Before you start
- Back up with Time Machine or iCloud
- Sign out of Messages and FaceTime
- Unpair Bluetooth keyboards and mice you're keeping
- Deauthorize your computer in the Music or TV app
macOS Monterey or later
-
1
Open Erase Assistant
System Settings, then General, then Transfer or Reset, then Erase All Content and Settings.
-
2
Enter your password
Enter your administrator password, then your Apple Account password to turn off Find My.
-
3
Confirm
The Mac restarts and shows the setup screen when it's done.
Older Intel Macs
-
1
Sign out
System Preferences, then Apple ID, then Overview, then Sign Out. Turn off Find My first.
-
2
Start in Recovery
Restart and hold Command and R.
-
3
Erase the drive
Open Disk Utility, select Macintosh HD, then Erase.
-
4
Reinstall macOS
Choose Reinstall macOS and quit at the setup screen.
Check that it worked
- The Mac restarts to the Hello setup screen
- It no longer appears at iCloud.com under Find Devices
- It no longer appears under Devices in your Apple Account settings on your iPhone
- Messages and FaceTime no longer show it as a signed-in device
Accessories
If you're donating a Magic Keyboard, Mouse or Trackpad with the Mac, unpair them in Bluetooth settings before you erase. If you're keeping them, unpair them so they don't try to reconnect.
Include the charger if you have it. It helps the next owner, but we accept Macs without one.
If the Mac won't start
Tell us on the form. Include the model and what happens when you press the power button. If Find My was on and you can't reach the Mac, remove it from your account at iCloud.com so it can still be reused.