Whether you're selling your MacBook Pro (M4/M3/M2/M1), troubleshooting a software issue, or starting fresh — a factory reset erases everything and returns your device to its original state. This covers MacBook Pro (M4/M3/M2/M1), MacBook Air (M4/M3/M2/M1), and Intel MacBooks (2015–2020).
Apple Menu → System Settings → General → Transfer or Reset → Erase All Content and Settings
Back up before you reset. This permanently deletes all photos, messages, apps, and settings. There's no undo. Connect an external drive → System Settings → General → Time Machine → Back Up Now
Erase with Erase Assistant
The standard method — works when your device is responsive and you know your passcode.
Apple Menu → System Settings → General → Transfer or Reset → Erase All Content and Settings
Enter your admin password → Apple Account password → confirm
Your device erases and restarts to the setup screen. Takes about 2–5 minutes.
Recovery Mode
Use this if your Mac won't boot, you forgot the admin password, or Erase Assistant isn't available.
Apple Silicon (M1–M4): Shut down → hold Power button → "Loading startup options" → Options → Continue
Intel Mac: Restart → immediately hold Command + R
Use Disk Utility to erase the drive → then select Reinstall macOS
Reset settings only — keep your data
macOS doesn't have a single "reset all settings" option. You can reset individual settings — Network, Bluetooth, keyboard — from System Settings.
Resets Wi-Fi, display, and preferences. Apps and data stay. Worth trying before a full erase.
Force restart — no data loss
Apple Silicon: Hold Power for 10 seconds, release, press again. Intel: Hold Control + Command + Power for 10 seconds.
Just a reboot. Nothing is erased. Try this first if it's frozen.
Will a reset fix my problem?
If it's software — slow after an update, apps crashing, random reboots, storage full — a reset will probably fix it. If it's hardware, it won't.
Software — reset helps
Sluggish after an update
Apps crashing or freezing
Random reboots
System data eating storage
Preparing to sell
Hardware — needs repair
Cracked Retina display
Keyboard keys stuck or unresponsive
Swollen battery lifting trackpad
Liquid damage corrosion
SSD failure
Quick test: reset, set up as new (skip the backup restore), and see if the problem returns. If it does — it's hardware.
Common questions
Can I reset without the admin password?
Yes — boot into Recovery Mode, erase the drive with Disk Utility, then reinstall macOS. You'll still need your Apple Account for Activation Lock.
What's the difference between Apple Silicon and Intel?
Apple Silicon Macs have Erase Assistant in System Settings. Intel Macs require Recovery Mode (Command + R).
Will this remove my Boot Camp partition?
Yes — erasing the disk removes everything, including any Windows partition.
Still not working after a reset? It's probably hardware. We do free diagnosis at FIXSTORY — no appointment, no pressure.
(213) 322-7187 · 800 S Flower St, Suite B, LA 90017 · Walk-ins welcome