Resetting a Mac restores the computer to its original factory settings, erasing all user data and settings from the system. This process is also sometimes referred to as a factory reset. When you reset your Mac, it reverts back to the state it was in when you first took it out of the box.
Resetting deletes all user accounts, applications, files, and system customizations, restoring the original macOS operating system. The Mac will be left clean and ready to be set up like new. Resetting does not typically alter any hardware-related settings, like firmware. It simply wipes the system software back to factory defaults.
Reasons to Reset a Mac
There are several common reasons why someone may want to reset their Mac to factory settings:
- Improve performance – Resetting can clear out clutter and give your Mac a fresh start, potentially improving speed and responsiveness if it has become sluggish over time.
- Troubleshoot issues – For troubleshooting persistent problems, a reset may help eliminate any problematic software or files causing the issues.
- Prepare to sell – Resetting removes all personal data and customizations, making your Mac like new for a future owner.
- Erase data – Before selling or recycling a Mac, a factory reset lets you securely erase all your files, applications, settings and other data from the hard drive.
Resetting your Mac essentially restores it back to its out-of-the-box state, clearing out everything to give you a fresh install of macOS. This can be helpful for both troubleshooting and preparing your computer for sale.
What Gets Deleted During a Reset
When resetting a Mac to factory settings, most data on the computer gets erased. This includes:
- All user accounts and associated files
- Downloaded and installed applications
- System settings and preferences
- Caches and temporary files
Resetting deletes all accounts, so any user profiles, documents, photos, music, downloads, and other personal files associated with those accounts will be removed. Any applications downloaded from the App Store or internet will also be deleted.
Additionally, any customized system settings and preferences will be reset back to default. This includes settings for desktop images, mouse sensitivity, and more. Caches and temporary files used by apps and processes on the Mac will be cleared out as well.
Essentially, the Mac will be restored back to a clean factory state, as if it just came out of the box. Virtually all user data and customizations added after initial setup will be removed by resetting the computer.
According to Apple’s support article Erase your Mac and reset it to factory settings, resetting the Mac deletes “everything except preinstalled macOS and any bundled apps.” This confirms that user data and downloads will be erased, but the base operating system remains intact.
What Data is Preserved
When resetting a Mac to factory settings using the Erase All Content and Settings option, some user data will be preserved while other data is deleted. Importantly, files stored in the user folders like Documents, Pictures, Music, and Movies will not be erased during this process.
According to Apple Support, resetting your Mac “erases all user accounts and user data from the startup disk, including previously deleted files.”1 However, it does not touch data stored separately from the startup disk, such as files on an external hard drive or other partitions.
Specifically, the Documents, Pictures, Music, Movies and other folders within your home directory contain files that are preserved during a factory reset. 2 This includes any photos, videos, documents, downloads and other personal files you have saved there.
In summary, resetting your Mac does not delete the data stored in your user folders. So you can reset without worrying about losing those files.
How to Backup Data Before Resetting
Before resetting your Mac, it’s critical to backup your files and data to prevent permanent data loss. There are a few recommended methods to backup a Mac before resetting:
- Use Time Machine – Time Machine is the built-in backup utility in macOS that can continuously backup files to an external drive or Time Capsule. To setup Time Machine, open System Preferences > Time Machine and select a backup disk. Time Machine will automatically backup your entire Mac.
- Create a bootable backup – You can create a bootable backup of your entire Mac on an external drive using Disk Utility. This will clone your current system to the drive. Boot to the external drive to access the backup.
- Copy files to external drive – Manually copy your important files and folders to an external hard drive or cloud storage. This ensures you have copies of your documents.
Be sure to complete a full backup of your Mac before resetting to prevent any chance of data loss. Time Machine and bootable backups are recommended to backup your entire system.
Sources:
[1] https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-mini/back-up-and-restore-apdc6980d3be/mac
Resetting Without Losing Data
It is possible to reset your Mac without losing your personal data and files. The key is to backup your data before resetting. Here are the steps to follow:
First, make sure you have an external hard drive or cloud storage available to backup your files. Connect the external drive or log into your cloud storage account like iCloud or Dropbox. Then go to Finder and copy over any important documents, photos, music, videos and other files you want to preserve. For an added layer of protection, enable Time Machine backups on the external drive so your entire Mac system is backed up.
Next, make a list of the software and apps you use frequently. Before resetting, you’ll need to reinstall any programs you rely on. Apps purchased through the Mac App Store can usually be quickly redownloaded after resetting. Apps installed standalone will need to be reinstalled from their original DMG files.
With your files safely backed up and a list of your key apps made, you can proceed to reset your Mac through Recovery mode without worrying about data loss. After the reset completes, restore your files from the backup drive and reinstall all your usual apps. This allows you to reset the system while maintaining access to your personal data and preferred software.
Resetting and Erasing All Data
If you want to completely erase all data and settings on your Mac, you can use Disk Utility to perform a full erase and reinstallation of macOS. This will delete all user data and installed applications, and reset your Mac to its factory default state. According to Apple Support, “Erasing your disk ensures that all data is removed securely.”1
Some key benefits of fully erasing your Mac before reinstalling macOS include:2
- Removes any malware or viruses
- Deletes unused languages and fonts
- Clears out unneeded temporary files and caches
- Frees up disk space from unwanted apps and files
- Fixes performance problems caused by a bloated system
- Starts fresh with a clean macOS installation
Overall, erasing everything before reinstalling macOS is recommended if you want to wipe your Mac completely clean and start over from scratch.
Step-by-Step Guide to Reset
Resetting your Mac to factory settings will erase all data and settings. Before resetting, it is crucial to backup any important files you want to preserve. Here are the steps to reset your Mac:
- Backup your data. Use Time Machine or manually copy important files to an external hard drive.
- Restart your Mac and immediately press and hold Command + R keys to boot into Recovery mode.
- Select “Disk Utility” from the Utilities menu.
- Click “Erase” and confirm to wipe your startup disk.
- Quit Disk Utility, then choose “Reinstall macOS” from the Utilities window.
- Follow the prompts to reinstall macOS and reset to factory settings.
This will completely erase and reformat the startup disk, and reinstall a fresh copy of macOS. Be sure to backup your data first, as all existing files and settings will be deleted.
What to Do After Resetting
After resetting your Mac, you’ll need to reinstall apps and restore data. Here are some tips:
- Re-download apps from the App Store. You’ll find your previously purchased apps under the Purchases tab.
- Sign back into iCloud and iTunes to restore data like contacts, calendars, photos etc. This will automatically sync data from your iCloud backup.
- For any local files not in iCloud, restore from your Time Machine backup if you have one (see Apple’s support page).
- Alternatively, restore local files and folders from your external drive backup if you backed up manually.
- Customize your Mac with settings, wallpaper, and preferences.
The process takes some time, but reinstalling apps and data brings your Mac back to normal. Be patient as files sync from iCloud and downloads complete. Consult Apple support articles for step-by-step instructions to restore your specific apps and data.
FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about resetting a Mac:
Does resetting delete everything?
Resetting your Mac does delete everything on the startup drive, including your user accounts, applications, settings, and all your files (source). However, it does not touch external drives or cloud storage.
Can I keep my files when resetting?
To keep your files when resetting, you need to back them up first. You can back up files to an external drive or a cloud storage service before erasing. After resetting, you can then restore your files (source).
Is resetting the same as reinstalling macOS?
No, resetting is different from reinstalling the Mac operating system. Resetting erases everything and resets to factory settings. Reinstalling just installs a fresh copy of macOS without touching your data (source).
How do I reset if I forgot my password?
If you forgot your Mac password, you can reset it using Apple’s password reset tools. This allows you to reset the password without fully erasing the Mac (source).
Can I undo resetting?
No, once you complete the reset process, there is no way to undo it and recover deleted files. This is why it’s critical to fully back up your Mac before resetting.