How to Restore Your Mac to Factory Settings

What restoring to factory settings means and when to do it

Restoring your Mac to factory settings wipes your hard drive completely and reinstalls the original operating system that came with your computer. This erases all your files, programs, and settings — so your Mac returns to the state it was in when it left the factory. You are left with a blank machine that boots up as if it were brand new.

Most people do this for three reasons: selling or giving away the computer, fixing serious software problems that won't go away, or starting fresh after years of accumulated clutter. It is also the nuclear option when malware or a virus has taken hold and you want to be certain it is gone.

Before you start, understand that this is permanent and fast. Once you begin the process, there is no undo button. Your files will not be recoverable unless you have a backup. If you are not certain you want to do this, stop here and back up your data first.

Key Takeaways

Back up all your files to an external drive or cloud storage before you start, because the process erases everything on your Mac.
Sign out of your Apple ID and iCloud before you begin, or you may not be able to set up the Mac again without your password.
The exact steps depend on your Mac's age and which version of macOS it runs — Intel Macs and Apple Silicon Macs use different methods.
The whole process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your internet speed and Mac model.
After the wipe is complete, your Mac will boot into the setup screen, and you can either set it up fresh or leave it blank for someone else to configure.

Back up your data before you do anything

The first and most critical step is to copy everything you want to keep to another device. Plug in an external hard drive or USB stick, or use a cloud service like iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox. Drag your Documents, Desktop, Photos, and any other folders you care about to the backup location. This takes as long as your files are large — anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour.

If you have a lot of data, use Time Machine, which is built into macOS. Open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs), click Time Machine, and select an external drive. Let it run until the backup is complete. This backs up everything, not just the files you remember to copy.

Do not skip this step. Once you start the factory reset, your files are gone.

Sign out of Apple ID and iCloud

Before you erase your Mac, you must sign out of your Apple ID. If you do not, the Mac will ask for your Apple ID password when it boots up again, and you will not be able to set it up or use it without that password. This is a security feature called set up Lock.

Open System Preferences or System Settings, click your Apple ID (or iCloud on older Macs), and scroll down to find the sign-out button. You will be asked whether to keep a copy of your iCloud data on this Mac — choose "Keep a Copy" if you want to save it, or "Remove" if you do not. Then sign out completely.

If you forget to do this, you can still complete the reset, but the Mac will be locked to your Apple ID until you sign in again with your password.

Erase your Mac using Erase All Content and Settings (Apple Silicon Macs)

If your Mac has an Apple Silicon chip (M1, M2, M3, or newer), the simplest method is the built-in Erase All Content and Settings tool. Open System Settings, click General, and scroll down to find "Transfer or Reset." Click that, then click "Erase All Content and Settings."

The Mac will ask you to confirm and may ask for your password. Click Erase, and the process begins. Your Mac will restart several times and show a progress bar. Do not turn off your Mac or unplug it during this time. The whole process takes 15 to 30 minutes.

When it is done, your Mac will boot into the setup screen, where you can either set it up as a new Mac or leave it for someone else to configure.

Erase your Mac using Recovery Mode (Intel Macs and older Apple Silicon)

If you have an older Intel Mac or an Apple Silicon Mac that does not have Erase All Content and Settings, use Recovery Mode instead. Shut down your Mac completely. Then turn it on and when ready hold down Command + R until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe. Keep holding until the Recovery window appears — this takes 30 seconds to a minute.

From the Recovery window, click Disk Utility. In the left sidebar, select your main hard drive (usually called "Macintosh HD"). Click the Erase button at the top. A dialog will appear asking for a name and format. Leave the name as "Macintosh HD" and make sure the format is set to APFS (or Mac OS Extended if your Mac is very old). Click Erase.

Disk Utility will erase your drive. This takes 5 to 15 minutes. When it is done, close Disk Utility and you will return to the Recovery window. Click the Apple menu and select Reinstall macOS. Your Mac will read and install the original operating system. This step requires an internet connection and takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on your speed.

What to do if your Mac gets stuck during the reset

If your Mac freezes, shows an error, or seems to be stuck on a progress screen for more than an hour, force it to shut down by holding the power button for 10 seconds. Wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on and try again. If you are in Recovery Mode, try the erase process a second time.

If the same error appears twice, your hard drive may be failing. At that point, you should take your Mac to an Apple Store or a certified repair technician. They can run diagnostics and replace the drive if needed. Do not attempt to force the process a third time.

Set up your Mac after the factory reset

When the reset is complete, your Mac will boot into the setup screen. You will be asked to choose your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with an Apple ID. If you are keeping the Mac, sign in with your own ID. If you are giving it away or selling it, you can skip this step and leave it for the new owner to set up.

After setup, your Mac is blank and ready to use. You can restore your files from your backup by opening Time Machine and selecting the backup drive, or by manually copying files back from your external drive or cloud storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo a factory reset after I have started it?

No. Once the erase process begins, it cannot be stopped or reversed. Your only option is to restore from a backup if you have one. This is why backing up before you start is so important.

Do I need an internet connection to factory reset my Mac?

You need internet to reinstall macOS after erasing the drive. If your Wi-Fi is not working, you can use a USB cable to share internet from an iPhone, or connect to a wired network if your Mac has an Ethernet port.

What if I forget my Apple ID password before I sign out?

You can still erase your Mac, but it will be locked to your Apple ID when it boots up. Go to iforgot.apple.com to reset your password, then sign in on the locked Mac to unlock it. Keep your password somewhere safe before you start the reset.

How long does a factory reset take from start to finish?

The whole process takes 30 minutes to two hours. Erasing the drive is fast (5 to 15 minutes), but reinstalling macOS depends on your internet speed. A fast connection can finish in 30 minutes; a slow one may take an hour or more.

Can I sell my Mac right after the factory reset?

Yes. After the reset is complete and your Mac boots into the setup screen, it is safe to sell. The new owner will see a blank Mac and can set it up with their own Apple ID. Do not sign in with your own ID, or the new owner will not be able to use it without your password.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.