We understand that factory reset actually wipes all the data containing in the Mac hard drive. Therefore, before going to factory reset a MacBook Pro, it’s essential to make sure that you have a copy of what you’d like to keep. After that, due to several reasons, for example, if you want to trade in or give away the device, here’s how you can factory reset a MacBook Pro.
Key Processes to Reset Mac without Losing Data
- Backup your mac hard drive
- Wipe out the Mac and reinstall macOS
- Restore your data if necessary
So, let’s explore more detailed processes that will definitely help you out!
Process 1: Backup your Mac hard drive
You must have seen the available option of Time Machine on your Pro. This feature allows you to backup your entire Mac into other external hard drives. Time machine will create the whole backup of the Mac hard drive, including your images, emails, docs, and videos.
How to Use Time Machine Feature for Mac Backup?
- Simply connect the external hard drive to the Mac, make sure the storage of external hard drive must be more or equivalent to the required space
- Click the Apple icon and choose System Preferences
- Choose Time Machine
- Click Select Disk and choose the backup external hard drive
- Click Use Disk.
- Click Back Up Now on the Time Machine menu bar
- Once you are completed with the process, Time Machine will automatically make backup
Apart from backing up, you are also suggested to sign out from all the applications that you were using before going further.
Process 2: Wipe out the Mac and reinstall macOS
This is actually the first step of factory resetting your Mac.Follow the fundamental steps so that you will get to learn the process without losing data. First, you have to enter macOS Recovery mode:
- Since the Mac goes restart, tab Command + R together.
- Release the combinations once you see the Apple logo.
- You will see macOS utilities.
Now it’s time to erase:
- Choose Disk Utilities in the window.
- You have to select the Mac hard drive, usually named MacintoshHD, from the left side bar.
- Click on Erase at the toolbar in the pop-up window.
- Fill in the needed information such as the name of the disk and the format.
- Click on Erase again and then Done to complete the process.
- Quit Disk Utility by going to the Disk Utility menu at the top.
So far, you have erased all your previous data on MacBook Pro. You should keep going and reinstall the macOS. Apple has provided a detailed guide on how to reinstall macOS. Check here for more information. Be careful, you should handle with caution.
Now, in front of you are two options, one is to finish and the other one is to continue restoring your data from the backup. The difference lies in whether you want to use the device or not. If you would like to keep using, read on process three.
Process 3: Restore your Data from the Backup you have made before
Remember you have made backup of your Mac via Time Machine earlier, right? You can restore the data by using this backup external drive now. Once the Mac is done with a factory reset, then connect your external disk with your Mac and use the feature Migration Assistant:
- Type in User Name and Password on the pop-up panel and click OK.
- Choose From a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk and click Continue.
- Choose the backup external hard drive and click Continue.
- Choose the Time Machine backup and click Continue.
- Choose the information you want to restore, then click Continue.
- Enter Administrator password when required and be authorized before backups restored.
Wait until the process complete. Once the process is complete, your Macwill restart itself.
Bottom Line
Reset your Mac to factory resetting will remain safe if you proceed with above mentioned steps. You are advised to have the backup either online or either disk. The proposed processes are useful and followed by most of the Mac users. You must be careful while executing any one of these processes. One wrong click can cause you permanent data loss.