(EACS) Erase All Content and Settings in macOS (Monterey and up!)

Owned by Ed Bobak
Last updated: Oct 17, 2023 by Neil Love
3 min read

On a Mac with Apple Silicon (e.g. M1, M2) or an Intel-based Mac with the T2 Security Chip (TouchBar,) use Erase Assistant to securely erase your Mac before reinstalling the operating system.

 

What does Erase Assistant do?

Erase Assistant does the following things on your Mac:

  • Signs you out of Apple services, such as iCloud.

  • Turns off Find My and Activation Lock, so the Mac you’re erasing is no longer associated with you.

  • Erases your content and settings, and any installed applications.

  • Erases all volumes (not just the volume you’re on). If you installed Windows on your Mac using Boot Camp Assistant, the BOOTCAMP volume is also erased.

  • Erases all user accounts and their data.

 

For macOS 12 (Monterey) or higher:

  1. From the Apple menu  in the corner of your screen, choose System Preferences.

  2. From the System Preferences menu in the menu bar, choose Erase All Content and Settings

    • Not seeing that option, your mac might not have a T2 chip or be Apple Silicon. Try these steps.

For macOS 13 (Ventura) or higher:

  1. From the Apple menu  in the corner of your screen, choose System Settings.

  2. From the System Settings sidebar, go to General → Transfer or Reset and then choose “Erase All Content and Settings…”

After that:

  1. Erase Assistant opens and asks you to sign in with your administrator credentials.

  2. Enter the password you use to log in to your Mac, then click OK.

  3. Click Continue on the next screen to allow your settings, media, data, and the other listed items to be removed.

  4. Click Erase All Content & Settings to confirm that you want to proceed (screen background is slightly different on Monterey, but the foreground prompts are the same.)

  5. Your Mac restarts and shows a black screen or progress bar. If it needs to reconnect to a Bluetooth accessory such as a keyboard or mouse, you might be asked to turn on the accessory. If the accessory doesn't connect within 30 seconds, turn the accessory off and back on. When reconnecting to a Bluetooth keyboard, you're asked to choose a language.

  6. You might be asked to select a Wi-Fi network or attach a network cable. To select a Wi-Fi network, use the Wi-Fi menu  in the upper-right corner of the screen. (MWireless will not work here, join MGuest or use ethernet.)

  7. After joining a network, your Mac activates. Click Restart.

  8. After restart, a setup assistant guides you through the setup process, as if you're setting up your Mac for the first time.

 

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