To reset an Intel-based MacBook to its factory settings, you'll need to erase the drive and reinstall macOS. Here's how:
Step-by-Step Guide to Resetting Your Intel MacBook
1. Boot into macOS Recovery Mode
- Press the power button to turn your Mac on.
- Immediately after pressing the power button, press and hold the Command (⌘) and R keys simultaneously.
- Continue holding the keys until you see an Apple logo or a spinning globe appear (Reference 1).
- Release the keys. Your Mac will now boot into macOS Recovery.
2. Access Disk Utility
Once in Recovery Mode, you'll see the macOS Utilities window. Select Disk Utility and click Continue.
3. Erase Your Startup Disk
- In Disk Utility, select your startup disk from the sidebar (usually named "Macintosh HD" or similar).
- Click the Erase button in the toolbar.
- A dialog box will appear. Enter a name for the disk (e.g., "Macintosh HD").
- Choose APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled) as the format. APFS is generally recommended for newer macOS versions.
- For Scheme, choose GUID Partition Map.
- Click Erase.
- Once the process is complete, click Done.
- Close Disk Utility by clicking the red "x" in the corner or by choosing "Quit Disk Utility" from the Disk Utility menu.
4. Reinstall macOS
- Back in the macOS Utilities window, select Reinstall macOS (or "Install macOS," depending on your version) and click Continue.
- Follow the on-screen instructions. You may be prompted to select a user and enter your administrator password (Reference 3).
- Select your startup disk as the destination for the installation.
- The installation process will take some time, and your Mac will restart several times.
5. Complete the Setup Assistant
After the macOS installation is complete, your Mac will restart and present the Setup Assistant. Follow the prompts to set up your Mac as new, including:
- Choosing your country or region.
- Connecting to a Wi-Fi network.
- Creating a user account.
- Setting up iCloud (optional).
By following these steps, you can successfully reset your Intel-based MacBook to its factory settings.
