FAQs
Use Erase All Content and Settings to quickly and securely erase all settings, data, and apps, while maintaining the operating system currently installed.
How do you wipe a device on a Mac? ›
Remote wipe in macOS with MDM
- macOS 13 or later: Apple menu > System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset Erase All Content and Settings.
- macOS 12.0. 1 or earlier: Apple menu > System Preferences, then in the menu bar, System Preferences > Erase All Content and Settings.
Does erasing Mac delete everything? ›
Use Erase All Content and Settings to quickly and securely erase all settings, data, and apps, while maintaining the operating system currently installed.
How do I permanently remove a device from Find My? ›
In Find Devices on iCloud.com, select the device in the All Devices list on the left. If you've already selected a device, you can click All Devices to return to the list and select a new device. Click Remove This Device. Activation Lock is removed immediately, and the device is removed from Find My after 30 days.
How do I wipe my Macbook Find My Mac? ›
Go to the Find My app on your Mac. on the map. Click Erase This Device.
What does erasing a device on Find My Do? ›
All of your personal content and settings are deleted. Activation Lock remains on to protect your device. To turn it off, remove the device from Find My. If you erase a device that had iOS 15, iPadOS 15, or later installed, you can use Find My to locate or play a sound on the device.
How do I recover my Mac after erasing it? ›
When the erase process is complete, click Done, then choose Disk Utility > Quit Disk Utility. In the Recovery app window, click Reinstall macOS [name], then click Continue. Follow the onscreen instructions.
Is it good to erase Mac? ›
Before you spend big on a new Mac, though, try a factory reset, which wipes your computer and reinstalls a clean version of macOS. A factory reset is also the best way to prepare your old computer for a new owner to make sure no leftover data falls into the wrong hands.
Does erasing Mac remove applications? ›
Yes. Formatting your hard disk and performing a fresh installation of macOS will delete all the apps (both Apple and 3rd party) which are installed on top of fresh install of macOS.
How do I delete device location history? ›
Use the Google Maps app
- On your Android device, open the Google Maps app .
- Tap your profile picture or initial Your Timeline .
- In the top right, tap More. Settings and privacy.
- Under "Location settings," tap Delete all Location History.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
Removing a device from your Apple account and signing out does not remove all your data or information. If you intend to sell your device, be sure to perform a factory reset.
How do I disable Find My Device on my MacBook? ›
macOS 13 or later: Choose Apple menu > System Settings, click [your name] at the top of the sidebar, click iCloud, click Find My Mac, then click Turn Off next to Find My Mac. macOS 12 or earlier: Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Apple ID, click iCloud, then deselect Find My Mac.
How do I remove old Mac from Find My Mac? ›
Go to the Find My app on your Mac. Click Devices, then select the device you want to remove. on the map, then click Remove This Device. The device is removed after 30 days.
Can someone wipe a stolen MacBook? ›
If you don't think you can recover your missing Mac, you can erase it remotely. This deletes all of your data from your Mac and prevents anyone else from accessing that information.
How do I wipe a device from my Mac? ›
Remote wipe in macOS with MDM
- macOS 13 or later: Apple menu > System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset Erase All Content and Settings.
- macOS 12.0. 1 or earlier: Apple menu > System Preferences, then in the menu bar, System Preferences > Erase All Content and Settings.
How do I completely wipe a used Mac? ›
Use Erase Assistant to reset your Mac to factory settings
- Choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click General in the sidebar. ...
- Click Transfer or Reset. ...
- Click Erase All Content and Settings.
- In Erase Assistant, enter your administrator information, then click Unlock.
How do I wipe my Mac to give it away? ›
Erase your Mac
Shut down your Mac. Start up from macOS Recovery, then use Disk Utility to erase your Mac. For details about both of these actions, follow these steps: Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac. When done, quit Disk Utility but don't restart your Mac.
How to clean a MacBook before selling? ›
How to reset MacBooks and Mac desktops
- Open the System Settings app on your Mac.
- Choose General from the left sidebar.
- Now click Transfer or Reset > Erase All Contents and Settings.
- Enter your password if required, then follow the steps to reset your Mac.
How do I completely wipe my Mac storage? ›
Open Disk Utility application from the Utility Folder in the Applications folder or select it from the list when booting from the Recovery Disk. Select the disk or partition to erase, and then click Erase. Specify a format, and enter a name for the disk. Click Erase.