Yes, you can reset a MacBook Pro without knowing the password using Recovery Mode. This process will erase all data on your Mac, so be sure you have backups if possible.
Steps to Reset Your MacBook Pro Without a Password
Here’s how to factory reset your MacBook Pro when you don't have the password:
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Boot into Recovery Mode: Start your Mac in Recovery Mode. The exact process varies depending on your Mac's processor:
- Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3 etc.): Turn off your MacBook Pro. Press and hold the power button until you see "Loading startup options." Then, click "Options," and then click "Continue."
- Intel Macs: Turn off your MacBook Pro. Immediately press and hold Command (⌘) and R keys until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe.
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Open Disk Utility: Once the macOS Utilities screen appears, select "Disk Utility."
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Select Your Boot Disk: In Disk Utility, find and select your Mac's startup disk (usually named "Macintosh HD") from the sidebar.
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Erase the Disk: Click the "Erase" button in the toolbar.
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Confirm Erase: You may be prompted to enter a name for the erased volume and choose a format (APFS is usually the best option for modern macOS versions). Click "Erase" to begin the process. This will delete all data on the selected disk.
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Reinstall macOS: After erasing the disk, quit Disk Utility to return to the macOS Utilities screen. Choose "Reinstall macOS" and follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall the operating system. This will set up your MacBook Pro as if it were new.
