This shouldn’t be an issue for modern devices, all of which are designed to download factory settings from the web. Note: This download solution only works with newer versions of MacOS. Since Apple stores your Mac’s factory settings on its servers, your computer requires an internet connection so it can retrieve new, off-the-assembly-line settings. You may need to click through a few confirmations and enter your password before moving forward. Click the Reinstall MacOS option on the MacOS Utilities list and click Continue to proceed. With the primary drive erased, you now need to reinstall MacOS.

When it’s finished, close Disk Utility to return to the MacOS Utilities window. You may see a prompt for your Apple ID info.įinally, erasing your Mac’s drive could take some time. Disk Utility shows the recommended format by default - stick with that unless you have a specific reason for another format. Note: For file format, you should choose either APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Assign a name (or stick with Macintosh HD) and select a format. Step 9: Select your main volume - again, typically it’s Macintosh HD - and then click the Erase button. If you have any other Data drives, delete them too, but leave the regular Macintosh HD drive alone. Make sure you don’t click Delete Volume Group.

Step 8: In the resulting window, click Delete to confirm. Alternatively, with the Data drive selected, you can click the Minus button in the Disk Utility toolbar. Step 7: Select the Data drive, click Edit on the menu bar, and then select Delete APFS Volume on the drop-down menu. If you don’t have a Data drive, don’t worry - just skip ahead to step 9. For instance, if your startup disk is Macintosh HD, you should also see a drive labeled Macintosh HD - Data. Also listed is another drive with the word “Data” appended at the end. Step 6: Your Mac’s startup disk is listed on the left, typically named “Macintosh HD” by default unless you renamed it. Select Disk Utility on the list and click Continue. The MacOS Utilities pop-up appears on your screen. Step 5: After a few moments, enter your password as prompted. Keep holding them until your Mac shows either an Apple logo, a spinning globe, or another startup screen. Step 4: Once your Mac restarts, press the Command + R keys together. Step 3: Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner and select Restart on the drop-down menu. Apple stores this data remotely on its servers. Erasing your hard drive is simple, but once it’s wiped, you’ll need access to your Mac’s factory settings. Step 2: Make sure your Mac is connected to the internet, preferably through a wired connection.

Step 1: For MacBooks, plug in the power adapter so there’s no danger of running out of battery power.

Erasing disk utility mac