Reset Macos Big Sur To Factory Settings
Gary Tiboni
On a Mac with Apple silicon or an Intel-based Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip, use Erase Assistant to reset your Mac to factory settings before you trade it in or sell it. You can also use Erase Assistant to erase your Mac before reinstalling macOS. Erase Assistant removes your content and settings, and any apps that you installed. To open Erase Assistant, click the Erase All Contents and Settings button in Transfer or Reset settings.
I want to delete everything and restore my MacBook Pro to factory settings. I followed these steps -to/how-to-factory-reset-a-mac deleted disk, and after that tried to reinstall macOS, but I keep getting an error: "an error occurred while preparing the installation. try running this application again"
I tried to fix the issue by setting the correct date in the terminal, but that doesn't help. I tried to revert everything in disk utilities, but I also can't do that. This is how my Disk Utility looks like
You need to run Command + Option + R which will run Internet Recovery Mode, and from there you'll be able to show all the partitions and erase the top level one as APFS then quit Disk Utility and install macOS to this new empty drive.
Hi, I've studied the forum, I've followed suggestions about holding down option key on a Mac when launching AP and hitting clear. I've followed the edit/restore to default (greyed out). I've uninstalled AP and reinstalled BUT I can't get AP to restore to factory default? Please let me know what I'm doing wrong? Many thanks for help and patience
Yes following the steps and it doesn't reset to dark background which concerns me as I messed around a lot (i.e. in the performance section) before I purchased the AP book and am wondering what else isn't reseting. So I want to a total reset before diving into the book?
Hallo. Ich habe eine kleine Frage. Ich habe einen Fehler gemacht und den Level-Selektor gelscht. Wie kann ich das tun, dass die Level-Auswahl und die Farbauswahl zurck ist. Schau dir den Film mit dem Problem an. Sorry fr mein schlechtes Englisch ich bin Deutscher. Vielen Dank fr Hilfe und Geduld.
Hi @Tracyirisheyes,
Welcome to Affinity Forums
To reset the app to its default settings, press and hold CTRL while launching the app until a Clear User Data dialog appears on screen. Leaving the first three checkboxes ticked and pressing the Clear button should fix most common issues. If you prefer you can tick all the checkboxes (in the first group on top) - these will clear up a couple more things (keyboard shortcuts, file export presets, snapping options presets etc) but still leave any additions you may have added to the app(s) intact like custom brushes, object styles, test styles, assets etc (that are shared across them).
Ticking ALL checkboxes (both top and bottom group) will reset everything in Designer and in the other apps of the suite too (Publisher, Photo), including shared assets, customs brushes, object styles, macros - anything you have added to the apps - to the factory defaults. It's a full reset. If you don't export them before the reset (in case you watt to keep them to install later) you will lose them.
Before going to such extend, can you tell us wha's not working for you exactly - what setting(s) - are failing? There may be an easy way to fix them without reset anything.
For a quick cleanup, we personally like using specialized applications. The app that works for us is CleanMyMac X. It removes large and old files, useless apps, caches, and system junk in a few clicks.
NVRAM (non-volatile random-access memory) is a type of memory your Mac uses to store certain settings, such as your selected startup disk, sound volume, screen resolution, and the last kernel panic. Resetting NVRAM will restore certain features you might have changed previously:
Once the macOS is installed, a setup assistant will appear. However, if you are not going to keep your Mac, it would be better to quit the setup process and let the new owner enter all the necessary information. Hold down the Command-Q keys and then choose Shut Down to turn off your Mac but leave it waiting for a new user.
There are two ways to restore Mac to factory settings: either run Erase Assistant for newer Macs and macOS versions or follow the steps outlined in this article for older Mac computers and macOS versions. The only difference between the two is that Erase Assistant does all the prep steps for you, so you only have to reinstall macOS as the final step.
Before resetting your Mac, you should back up all your important files. Then you should also deauthorize iTunes or the Music app, and log out of iCloud, Messages, and FaceTime. It is also recommended that you reset your P-RAM (or NVRAM) and unpair your Bluetooth devices.
If you are running macOS 13, it will be Ventura. If you are running macOS 12, it will be Monterey. If you are running macOS 11 or earlier versions, you will need to reset your Mac using Recovery Mode.
It is also important to look at the Processor or Chip. If your Mac has an M1 or M2 chip, you can use the new steps to reset your Mac. If, however, your Mac has Intel processors, you will have to reset your computer using Recovery Mode.
If you need help resetting your Mac, backing up your data, or setting up a new computer, HelloTech is here to help. We can send a hand-selected expert to your home as soon as today to troubleshoot any computer or printer issues. Our friendly technicians are also here to help you over the phone 24/7 by calling 1-844-986-4945.
To reset a Mac that is running macOS Monterey, click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings. Then go to General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Finally, follow the on-screen instructions and shut down after your computer restarts.
If you choose to activate your Mac, it will ask you to enter your Apple ID and choose which settings you want to use. So, it is best to turn the computer off at this point so the next user can set up the Mac with their personal information.
To reset a Mac running macOS Ventura, click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Preferences. Then click System Preferences from the Apple menu bar and select Erase All Content and Settings. Finally, follow the on-screen instructions and restart your computer.
To reset your Mac, first restart your computer. Then press and hold Command + R until you see the Apple logo. Next, go to Disk Utility > View > View all devices, and choose the top drive. Next, click Erase, fill out the required details, and hit Erase again. Finally, exit Disk Utility, then reinstall your macOS.
Once you are done, you can unplug the computer or close the laptop. Now, when you give your Mac to someone else, they will be able to start the setup process and enter their own settings and information.
If you plan to give away, sell, or trade in your Mac, the first thing you should do for security and practical reasons is erase the data on it and perform a factory reset. This article shows you how. If yours is an Apple silicon Mac running macOS Monterey or later or an Intel Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip (2017-2020 models), follow the steps to erase all content and settings instead of following the steps in this article.
Before you do anything, you should back up the files on your Mac. You could do this manually by copying across files onto an external drive. If you use iCloud, your photos, mail, contacts, documents, and so on should be automatically backed up in cloud storage.
However, we highly recommend that you take the time to perform a Time Machine backup of your system using an external drive. That way, the same backup volume can be used by Apple's Migration Assistant during a macOS installation to quickly transfer your applications, files and settings from the old Mac to a new one.
There are certain apps that will need to be manually unlinked from your Mac before you say goodbye to it. Some third-party apps require licenses that only work on a limited number of computers, so think about any licenses you may have purchased.
Similarly, you should de-authorize your iTunes account on the Mac, as this removes its access to content that you bought from the iTunes Store, iBooks Store, or App Store, including things like music, movies, TV shows, apps, and books.
MacRumors attracts a broad audience of both consumers and professionals interested in the latest technologies and products. We also boast an active community focused on purchasing decisions and technical aspects of the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other Apple platforms.
I accidentally renamed my "Basic" terminal profile under Terminal -> Preferences -> Settings. I renamed it back but this got me wondering if there was a way to reset all terminal settings to defaults. So for example if I renamed "Basic" to "Foo" is there a command or way to reset it back to "Basic" without having to select it and rename?
Restart your Mac, hold and press Command+R and enter into macOS Recovery mode. Then use Disk Utility to erase the startup disk and then reinstall macOS Catalina. If you will sell or donate your Mac, you should permanently erase all data stored on it. Just wipe free disk space of the Mac with DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac, all deleted/erased data will be permanently erased, leaving no trace for data recovery.
Resetting a macOS Catalina to factory settings is a drastic measure, but it's often essential before selling or trading in a Mac. This way, whoever ends up with the computer doesn't get access to your account or any of your private information.
Restoring macOS Catalina to its original settings is another option for fixing Mac crashes, software problems, viruses, and other performance issues. That will allow you to treat the macOS Catalina as fresh new.
Whether or not you plan to sell your Mac, you should always back it up regularly. Our data is extremely important to us, and its loss would have serious consequences. If you are the risk-taking type, however, we advise you to make a copy of your Mac's data before you part with it.