How to Perform a Factory Reset on M1/M2 Mac in 2024 [Guide for MacBook, iMac, Mac mini]

Have you recently acquired a MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Mini, MacBook Air, or Mac Studio? If so, chances are that these devices are powered by Apple's in-house processors, such as the Apple M1 chip or the Apple M2 chip. Nevertheless, over time, these devices may experience performance degradation, and you might require a factory reset to restore their speed!

Performing a factory reset on an M1 Mac involves erasing all data and reinstalling a clean version of macOS, effectively returning the device to its original state. This process applies to various M1-powered Mac models, such as the M1 Mac mini, M1 MacBook Air, and others. There are several instances when you might need to factory reset your M1 Mac mini, such as when preparing to sell it or troubleshooting issues to enhance its performance.

But you should be aware that a factory reset involves removing all content, such as data, files, and the operating system stored on your MacBook. Essentially, a factory reset is about erasing an M1/M2 Mac and reinstalling macOS on it. Therefore, it's crucial to backup your Mac beforehand. The following software can assist you in easily backing up and restoring your M1 Mac:

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Protect Your Mac Data with Backup

Backup and recover your MacBook/iMac without using Time Machine, iCloud, or external hard drives.

However, this article will guide you through the process of performing a factory reset in detail. Before we proceed, let's begin with a video overview of factory resetting. You can glance through the key points first:

1. 00:22 Click on the Apple logo here.
2. 00:31 Choose "System Preferences."
3. 00:45 In "System Preferences," select "Erase All Content and Settings."

What to Do Before Erasing All Content and Settings on an M1 Mac

Are you prepared to perform a factory reset on your M1 Mac? Before you proceed with a factory reset of macOS, it's crucial to ensure that you have a complete data backup. If you're unsure which data recovery tool to utilize for retrieving lost data from your M1 or M2 Mac, the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is an all-in-one solution for your needs.

It's a professional data retrieval software for MacBooks that can assist you in recovering files after re-installing the macOS Ventura update and retrieving lost data due to accidental deletion, emptied trash, and other reasons.

This premium software effectively addresses various challenging scenarios of data loss. You no longer need to worry about how to recover deleted messages on Mac; it enables the retrieval of deleted images, emails, documents, and more from all sorts of Mac-based devices. This versatile recovery utility supports Mac hard drive recovery, Mac SD card recovery, Mac USB recovery, and many other types of data restoration. Some of its features that simplify the recovery process include:

• File Filter
• Recover to Cloud
• File Preview
• Create Bootable Media

These premium features assist in identifying accidentally deleted data within the scan results, simplifying the recovery process. Let's begin recovering files using the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac tool:

Step 1. Search for missing files

Choose the disk location to search for missing files (it can be an internal HDD/SSD or a removable storage device) on macOS Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, and the latest Sonoma. Click the "Search for lost files" button.

Note: Before data recovery, it's recommended to click "Disk Backup" from the left sidebar to create a backup of your Mac to prevent further data loss. Once backed up, the software can retrieve data from the Mac backup, and your computer can then write new data again.

Step 2. Review the scanning results

With Data Recovery Wizard for Mac, it will immediately scan your selected disk volume and display the scanning results.

Step 3. Select the file(s) and recover Select the desired file(s) you wish to recover from the list of scanned files, and then initiate the recovery process.

In the scan results, select the file(s) you wish to preview and click the "Recover" button to retrieve them.

Erase Assistant for Mac Performing a factory reset on an M1 Mac using the Mac Erase Assistant involves wiping the data from your device and restoring it to its original settings. Here's a step-by-step guide: 1. **Backup Your Data**: Before proceeding, ensure you have backed up all important files and data using Time Machine or any other reliable backup method. 2. **Launch Mac Erase Assistant**: To access this utility, open the "Utilities" folder within the "Applications" folder on your Mac. 3. **Select the Drive**: In the Mac Erase Assistant window, you will see a list of available drives. Select the drive representing your Mac's internal storage (usually named "Macintosh HD"). 4. **Choose a Format**: The tool should automatically select the appropriate format, which is typically "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" or "APFS" for newer systems. Ensure the format matches your macOS version. 5. **Enter a Name**: You can rename the drive if desired, or keep the default name. 6. **Erase**: Click on the "Erase" button to begin the erasing process. This will permanently delete all data on your Mac. 7. **Restore from Backup (Optional)**: After the erasing process is complete, you can reinstall macOS using the Recovery Partition or Internet Recovery. Once the installation is finished, restore your data from the backup you created earlier. 8. **Setup Assistant**: Follow the on-screen instructions during the initial setup to configure your M1 Mac as new or migrate data from another device if you chose to restore from a backup. Remember that factory resetting your Mac will erase everything, so proceed with caution. If you're unsure about any steps, consult Apple Support or a professional technician for assistance.

Before performing a factory reset on your M1 Mac, you need to log out of all accounts, such as iMessage and iCloud, and backup your MacBook. If you have a brand new Mac running macOS Monterey, the process will be more straightforward due to the support of the Mac Erase Assistant. Here are the main steps outlined below:

Step 1. Open System Preferences. Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the MacBook screen, and select System Preferences from the dropdown menu.

Step 2. Launch Mac Erase Assistant. Next to the Apple logo, you'll find a menu bar option called "System Preferences." From the dropdown menu, select "Erase All Content and Settings."

Step 3. Follow the Erase Assistant prompts. The Mac Erase Assistant will guide you through the factory reset process for your M1 Mac, requiring you to sign out of iCloud before the process is finished.

So, once you've gone through all the steps, your Mac will quickly reboot and be back to its factory settings, though it will still be running the most recent version of macOS rather than the one that came preinstalled.

Resetting an M1 Mac in Recovery Mode

Are you looking for guidance on how to perform a factory reset on your M1 Mac? There are several methods to restore your M1 Mac, and in this discussion, we will explore two distinct recovery modes: factory resetting using Disk Utility and reinstalling macOS. This approach will come in handy if you need to factory reset your Mac without a password.

Fix 1: Perform a factory reset on your M1 Mac using Disk Utility.

Before proceeding with erasing your M1 Mac, it's crucial to ensure that you've installed the latest macOS updates and have backed up all essential files. You can conveniently erase your M1 or M2 Mac using the Disk Utility. Here are the steps: 1. **Backup Your Data**: Connect an external storage device and use Time Machine or another backup solution to secure your important files. 2. **Update macOS**: Go to "System Preferences" > "Software Update" to check for and install any available updates. 3. **Launch Disk Utility**: Click on the "Finder," then select "Applications" > "Utilities" > "Disk Utility." 4. **Select the Drive**: In the Disk Utility sidebar, choose the main drive (usually named "Macintosh HD") that you want to erase. 5. **Erase the Drive**: Click on the "Erase" button at the top of the Disk Utility window. A new dialog box will appear. 6. **Enter a Name**: In the "Name" field, give your drive a new name (optional). 7. **Choose a Format**: Select "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" for older applications compatibility or "APFS" for newer systems. 8. **Encryption Option**: If desired, check the "Encrypt" box to encrypt the drive for added security. Enter a password and confirm. 9. **Start Erasing**: Click "Erase" in the dialog box, then click "Confirm" in the subsequent warning prompt. 10. **Wait for Completion**: The erasing process may take some time, so be patient. Once finished, your Mac's drive will be wiped clean. Remember, erasing your Mac removes all data, so ensure your backups are complete before proceeding.

Step 1. Turn on your MacBook and press and hold the Apple Power button until you see the startup options window. Choose "Options" and then press "Continue."

Step 2. If prompted, select a user account whose administrator password you know and enter it.

Step 3. Type the Apple ID and password associated with the Mac if prompted.

Step 4. Select Disk Utility from the utilities window, then click Continue.

Step 5. Look for the volume labeled "Macintosh HD," which should be located in the internal section of the Disk Utility sidebar.

Step 6. If you previously used Disk Utility to add volumes to your startup disk, select each additional internal volume in the sidebar. Then, click the "Delete Volume" button in the toolbar to remove the volume.

N.B: Ignore the volumes listed under External and Disk Images in the sidebar, as well as any internal volumes named Macintosh HD or Macintosh HD - Data.

Step 7. Select "Macintosh HD" from the sidebar.

Step 8. Choose a name and format, then tap the Erase button in the toolbar.

Step 9. If you see an "Erase Volume Group" button, click that instead of selecting Erase.

Step 10. Enter your Apple ID if prompted.

Step 11. When prompted, choose the "Erase Mac & Restart" option to confirm the erasure of your M1 Mac.

Step 12. Follow the on-screen prompts to select your language when your Mac restarts.

Step 13. Wi-Fi is required for Mac activation.

Step 14. Select the "Exit" option in Recovery Utilities once your Mac has been activated.

Solution 2: Factory Reset M1 Mac by Reinstalling macOS

After erasing the drive, the final step is to reinstall macOS. The process is outlined below:

Step 1. Click "Reinstall macOS."

Step 2. Select the continue button.

Step 3. Choose a boot drive and click "Install." If you have the option to select between "Macintosh HD - Data" or "Macintosh HD," it's recommended to choose "Macintosh HD."

Step 4. Restart your Mac once the installation is complete.

Step 5. The reinstallation of the Mac may take a few minutes, so be patient!

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After going through the steps mentioned earlier, your Mac will restart following a factory reset. However, if you plan on using that M1 Mac again, it's recommended to reinstall macOS on M1/M2 Macs. In case you experience data loss while using your Mac, consider installing the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac to recover lost files with a single click.

"Factory Reset M1 Mac FAQs"

To better understand this topic, let's consider some common questions:

How do I erase my Mac M1 for resale?

To reset your M1 MacBook and erase all content, follow these steps: 1. Restart your Mac. 2. While it's starting up, press and hold the Command + R keys together. This will initiate the macOS Recovery mode. 3. Once the recovery app window appears, select "Disk Utility" from the available options, then click "Continue." 4. Inside the Disk Utility, you'll see a list of volumes on the left sidebar. Choose the volume you want to erase (usually named "Macintosh HD"). 5. After selecting the volume, click on the "Erase" button located in the toolbar at the top. 6. A dialog box will appear. Assign a new name if desired, select "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" or "APFS" as the format, and click "Erase" again to confirm. This process will erase all data from your MacBook, so make sure you have backups of any important files.

To reset a MacBook Air with an M1 chip running Monterey, follow these steps: 1. **Backup Data**: Before resetting, it's crucial to backup your important data using Time Machine or another backup method. 2. **Shut Down the MacBook**: Press the Power button (or the Touch ID button) and hold it until the screen turns off. 3. **Boot into Recovery Mode**: Press and hold the Power button until you see the Apple logo. Release the button when you see the loading wheels or the "Loading startup options" screen. If that doesn't work, try the following: - Press and hold the left Shift + Control + Option keys along with the Power button. Release all keys when you see the Apple logo. 4. **Choose a Language**: Select your preferred language and click "Continue". 5. **Select Utilities**: Click on "Utilities" in the top menu bar, then choose "Terminal". 6. **Erase macOS**: In the Terminal window, type the following command and press Enter: ``` diskutil eraseMacOS ``` Follow the on-screen instructions to erase the disk and reinstall macOS. 7. **Reinstall macOS**: Go back to the main Recovery window, click "Reinstall macOS" (or "Reinstall Monterey"), then click "Continue" and follow the prompts. 8. **Restore from Backup (optional)**: After installation, if you made a backup, you can restore your data from Time Machine. 9. **Setup MacBook**: Complete the initial setup process as if it's a new device. Remember, resetting a MacBook will erase all data and settings, so ensure you have a recent backup before proceeding.

The steps are as follows:

1. Logout from all locations. 2. Boot into macOS Recovery. 3. Erase the boot drive. 4. Reinstall macOS.

How do I erase and reinstall macOS on an M1 Mac?

Shut down your M1 Mac and continuously press and hold the power button until you see the "Loading startup options" dialog appear. Next, select 'Options,' then hit 'Continue' and follow the on-screen instructions. In the Recovery app window, choose to 'Reinstall' your specific version of macOS, click 'Continue,' and subsequently follow the prompts displayed on the screen.

How do I completely erase my M2 Mac?

You can completely erase an M2 Mac by following these steps: 1. **Shutdown the Mac**: First, ensure your Mac is turned off. 2. **Boot into Recovery Mode**: Press and hold the `Command` + `R` keys while restarting your Mac. This will boot it into the Recovery Partition, where you can access utility tools. 3. **Disk Utility**: In the Recovery Mode menu, choose "Utilities" and then "Disk Utility." 4. **Select the Startup Disk**: In Disk Utility, select the drive that contains your macOS, usually named "Macintosh HD" or similar. 5. **Erase the Drive**: Click on the "Erase" button (or "Format" in newer versions). A dialog box will appear. 6. **Format the Drive**: Choose "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" for older macOS versions or "APFS" for the latest ones. Give the drive a new name if desired. 7. **Confirm Erase**: A warning will appear, asking you to confirm the erasure. Click "Erase" to proceed. The process may take some time depending on the size of your storage. 8. **Exit Disk Utility**: Once the erasure is complete, exit Disk Utility and return to the main Recovery Mode menu. 9. **Reinstall macOS**: To start fresh, choose "Reinstall macOS" (or "Reinstall macOS Monterey" or the specific version installed) from the main menu. Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall the operating system. 10. **Setup Assistant**: After the installation, your Mac will prompt you through the initial setup process. It will be like a brand new machine with no data or apps from the previous user. Remember that erasing your Mac will permanently delete all data, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.

1. Click on the Apple logo and select "System Preferences." 2. Once more, open System Preferences and choose "Erase Content and Settings." 3. Enter your MacBook M2 password. 4. Click "Continue" and provide your Apple ID. 5. Input the verification code sent to your device. 6. Click "Continue" again. 7. Select "Erase All Content."