Latest news with #factoryreset
CNET
09-06-2025
- CNET
How to Factory Reset Your MacBook Before You Sell or Trade It In
If you're planning to sell or trade in your old Apple MacBook, you'll want to perform a factory reset before parting ways with your device. Factory resetting a Mac removes your personal information, giving the new owner a clean slate to start with and protecting your privacy and data security. Whether you're getting ready to upgrade to the latest M4 MacBook Air or just want a clean slate to weed out any performance issues, a factory reset is the tool for you. Whether you're planning to sell your Mac, give it to a family member or friend, recycle it or donate it to an organization, you'll want to erase your personal information and files before parting with it. It's a crucial security measure you don't want to skip. Your Mac's hard drive is bursting with sensitive information that you wouldn't want to be accessible, even if you trust your laptop's next owner. There's always a chance that some malware could sneak its way in and uncover your personal details. Ready to wipe your personal data and return your old Mac to its default factory settings? The specific process will depend on what MacBook model and operating system you're working with. We've listed out the steps for newer models (running on Monterey OS or later and equipped with Apple Silicon or the Apple T2 security chip) and older MacBooks, so you can follow whichever guide applies to your laptop. How to factory reset a newer MacBook on MacOS Monterey or later Newer MacBook models have an erase assistant built into their settings to help you quickly clear your data and factory reset your MacBook. If your MacBook is running on MacOS Monterey or later and has either an Apple Silicon or an Apple T2 security chip, you should have access to the Erase All Content and Settings function. 1. Open the erase assistant If you're running MacOS Ventura or later, click on the Apple icon in the corner of your screen, then select System Settings. Choose General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. The erase assistant will then open up. If you're running MacOS Monterey, click on the Apple icon in the corner of your screen, then select System Preferences. From the menu bar, choose Erase All Content and Settings. If your laptop supports it, the erase assistant will then appear. If you don't see the Erase All Content and Settings option or get an error message stating that the erase assistant is not supported on your MacBook, you may have an older model and you'll need to use a different approach to reset it. Scroll down to our second set of instructions below for older MacBooks. 2. Follow the onscreen instructions and review your data The erase assistant will show you a summary of what'll be erased. Then follow the onscreen directions to continue with the factory reset. You'll need to enter your administrator credentials for your MacBook. Next, enter your Apple account login to sign the MacBook out of Find My Mac. You may be asked if you want to back up your data before proceeding with the reset process. If you forgot to do this earlier, it's a good idea to pause and back up your data to an external hard drive before you erase everything. 3. Confirm that you want to erase all content and settings Apple A window will pop up confirming that your data and settings will be permanently erased if you proceed. If you're ready to proceed, select Erase All Content & Settings to confirm that you want to reset your MacBook. Your laptop will then begin the process of removing all of your data and will restart. Your screen may go dark during this portion of the process or you may see a progress bar. You may be asked to reconnect to your Wi-Fi network during this deletion process, too. Your laptop will also generally disconnect from Bluetooth accessories such as your mouse or external keyboard. Once the reset is complete, you'll see the Activate Mac screen, indicating that your MacBook has been reset to factory settings and can now be sold or recycled. If you're keeping the laptop or want to set it up to give to a family member, you can use the Setup Assistant to begin the setup process from scratch. Apple How to factory reset an older MacBook If you're running an earlier operating system or have an older model without the Apple Silicon or T2 chip, you'll need to follow a slightly longer process to wipe your data before selling or donating your MacBook. 1. Sign out of your accounts After migrating your data to your new Mac or making one last backup to preserve your data, it's time to remove all traces of yourself from the machine. First, you'll need to sign out of all of your accounts. Years ago, this was done using iTunes but you now must individually sign out of three apps -- Music, TV and Books. Open up any of those apps and go to Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize This Computer. You'll need to enter your Apple ID and password and then hit the Deauthorize button. Matt Elliott/CNET Next, turn off Find My Mac and sign out of iCloud. Go to System Preferences > Apple ID, click iCloud in the left panel and then uncheck Find My Mac. Next, click Overview from the left panel and then click the Sign Out button. Lastly, you'll need to sign out of Messages. Open the Messages app, go to Messages > Preferences, click the iMessage tab and then click Sign Out. 2. Bluetooth unpairing If you're handing down your old Mac to your kid or someone else in your house, then it's a good idea to unpair any Bluetooth devices so your mouse or keyboard controls the new Mac without interfering with the old one. Go to System Preferences > Bluetooth, mouse over the device you want to unpair, click the X button to the right of its name, then click Remove. Matt Elliott/CNET 3. Reset NVRAM NVRAM is memory where your Mac stores essential settings needed before loading MacOS, such as screen resolution, time zone, volume level and startup disk selection. Sometimes these files can get corrupted, so give your Mac's next owner a fresh start by resetting the NVRAM. To do so, shut down your Mac, then turn it on and immediately press and hold four keys together: Option, Command, P, and R. You can release the keys after 20 seconds or so. That's it! Your Mac's NVRAM has been reset. 4. Factory reset You need to put your MacBook into Recovery Mode to erase all of your data and reinstall MacOS. To enter Recovery Mode on an old Intel-based Mac, restart it and immediately press and hold Command-R. You can release the keys once you see the Apple logo. On an M1-based Mac, booting into Recovery Mode is slightly different. You simply press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window, then click Options and Continue to get to the utilities window.) Apple Next, you'll see the MacOS Utilities window. Choose Disk Utility, click Continue and select your startup disk -- unless you renamed it, odds are it's labeled Macintosh HD or something similar. Next, click the Erase button at the top of the Disk Utility window and fill out these two fields: Name: Choose a name for the fresh, new volume. Why not go with the tried-and-true Macintosh HD ? Choose a name for the fresh, new volume. Why not go with the tried-and-true ? Format: Choose APFS. If you're trying to sell an ancient Mac that has a mechanical hard drive instead of a solid-state drive, then choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for Format. Next, click the Erase Volume Group and after Disk Utility does its thing, quit Disk Utility. (If you don't see the Erase Volume Group button in the lower-left corner, then click the Erase button in the lower-right corner instead.) You should return to the MacOS Utilities window. (If not, restart your Mac again, holding down Command-R while it reboots.) From the MacOS Utilities window, select Reinstall MacOS and follow the instructions to install the operating system. After MacOS has been reinstalled, you'll be greeted by the Setup Assistant, which you can then quit out of and shut down your Mac. It's now ready for a fresh start with its next owner. How to factory reset a MacBook without logging in If you find that you can't remember your MacBook's password, don't worry, all is not lost. First, try resetting your Mac's password, but if that isn't an option, you can still factory reset the machine. Factory resetting your MacBook without your password works in much the same way as the steps outlined for resetting an older MacBook above. In fact, whether you're using a Mac with or without Apple Silicon or a T2 chip, you can follow the same steps from step 3 onward to get the job done. This approach won't give you the opportunity to back up any of your data, which is why we always suggest backing up your Mac regularly. Here's how to factory reset an iPhone, how to reset AirPods that are acting up, and how to reset a Chromebook in under a minute.
CNET
31-05-2025
- General
- CNET
Here's How to Factory Reset Your PS5 or PS4
Yes, even the PlayStation 5 isn't new anymore. That console came out in 2020, which means it's currently in the second half of its life cycle. Since then, new consoles like the Nintendo Switch 2 have hit the market. If you're tiring of your PS5, you have more options than storing it in the top of your closet where it will just collect dust. You could give the console away or sell it for some extra cash. Regardless of whether you're ready to give yours away to the recent grad in your life or if you're looking to sell your device for some extra cash, you have plenty of options. There's one important thing you need to do to your console before you get rid of it: reset the system and wipe your personal data. Factory resetting is a crucial step that you should take whenever you're selling or giving away a piece of technology. Your old PlayStation is no exception. While you might not be storing the same kind of information on your PS4 or PS5 that you would on your laptop or smartphone, this step can save you a great deal of stress by taking care of any leftover information. Read on for everything you need to know about resetting your PS5 or your PS4. For more, here's what to know about buying a used iPhone and our picks for the best place to sell your electronics. Resetting the PlayStation 5 You have a few options when it comes to factory resetting your PS5. To access these options, navigate to the Home Screen and then select Settings > System > System Software > Reset Options. After selecting Reset Options you will be presented with three options: Clear Learning Dictionary, Restore Default Settings and Reset Your Console. Clear Learning Dictionary will clear the history of all the terms that you have typed on your PS5. will clear the history of all the terms that you have typed on your PS5. Restore Default Settings will restore all of the settings on your PS5 to their default setting, but leave your data intact. will restore all of the settings on your PS5 to their default setting, but leave your data intact. Reset Your Console will restore all of the settings to their default options and erase all of the data that has been saved to your PS5. If you are looking to factory reset your console before selling it or giving it away, select Reset Your Console to fully wipe all of your data from the device and factory reset the console. Dan Ackerman/CNET Resetting the PlayStation 4 The process for factory resetting your console is a bit different for the PS4. First, you will need to navigate to Settings > Initialization. Much like the process for factory resetting the Playstation 5, you will be presented with three options after selecting Initialization: Clear Learning Dictionary, Restore Default Settings and Initialize PS4. Clear Learning Dictionary and Restore Default Settings operate the same as they do on the PS5. Initialize PS4 operates in the same way as the Reset Your Console option does on the PS5. If you are looking to factory reset your PS4 before giving it away or selling it, selecting Initialize PS4 will do the trick.
Geeky Gadgets
27-05-2025
- Business
- Geeky Gadgets
Choose Secure Data Erasure Over Factory Reset for Mac
Apple Silicon or Intel-based Macs have an option to be reset to factory mode. Once the Mac device is reset, all the applications and saved personal data are formatted, and the device is restored to factory settings. This hard reset frees up storage space, deleting stored data and thereby increasing its processing speed. Several areas on the disk store data such as user credentials, built-in app data, backup information, etc., that are inaccessible to the user, operating system, BIOS, or UEFI. Existing in different forms, Host Protected Area (HPA), Disk Configuration Overlay (DCO), or Accessible Max Address (AMA), these hidden disk areas mainly contain disk utilities for the device to function smoothly. It is of utmost importance that data from these disk zones be erased to prevent data leakage. However, a factory reset is incapable of fulfilling this purpose. The Hidden Risks: Recoverable Data Post Factory Reset A factory reset only removes the pointers to the file system, removing only access to the data and not the data itself. In most cases, the actual contents of the Mac drive still reside on the Mac, which is recoverable using freely available Mac data recovery software or through forensic in-lab services. The data traces left behind after a factory reset can comprise Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Protected Health Information (PHI), credit card information, etc., which, if leaked, can ruin decades of reputation for a business in seconds, and this is just the beginning. Data protection laws and regulations like EU-GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA, GLBA, etc., require businesses to erase personal data collected for processing after the retention period is over, the purpose has been served, or the individual has requested the removal of their data. Data removal has to be permanent beyond recovery from the entire Mac device, including inaccessible disk zones HPA, DCO, and other remapped sectors. Contrary to popular belief, a factory reset does not meet the secure erase requirements such as those needed by NIST 800-88, DoD 5220.22 M, or other regulatory guidelines. On Mac devices with SSDs, data is stored in memory blocks that also have the TRIM command enabled. While TRIM helps in optimizing the performance of SSDs, however, there is no way to ensure that the data has been permanently erased, as the TRIM command can be disabled by individuals, either intentionally or due to system configurations. Further, laws also mandate a proof of data destruction to be maintained by the organization in the form of a report or certificate of destruction. A software-based data erasure tool is highly recommended if the Mac devices are in a functional state and the business intends to reuse them; however, if the device is non-functional and cannot be repaired, then the device must be destroyed using physical destruction methods. The Real World Impact: When Factory Reset Fails Consider an organization that has no policies or mechanisms in place for data destruction. For reusing, repurposing, reselling, or donating their end-of-life devices, including Mac devices, the organization performs a factory reset on all the functional devices. These reset devices are either handed over to their new owners or discarded. Since the business-critical information still remains on these devices, the threat to data privacy lingers continually. The sensitive information can be recovered from all these devices using forensic tools or data recovery software, which can then be misused or can result in a data breach episode. The 2016 Morgan Stanley data breach case is one such example where confidential data such as social security numbers, passports, and credit card information, was recovered from decommissioned IT assets. These IT assets were not only not properly erased but also were resold to a third party without sanitization verification. This unauthorized access to personal data brought the organization penalties close to USD 100 million imposed by authorities, including the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), over a span of more than 5 years. One data breach caused Morgan Stanley operational downtime, penalties, and loss of customer trust. The Secure Solution: Software-Based Data Erasure Organizations must devise data destruction policies, including data retention guidelines, to ensure secure erasure is performed periodically without any scope for gaps in the process. The policies should also include guidelines on how data of varying sensitivity should be securely erased from different Mac devices and what tool should be used to perform secure data erasure. For example, the Mac devices containing data related to intellectual property or financial information that is critical must be sanitized using a certified data erasure tool like BitRaser before Mac devices are reallocated or refurbished. A software-based data erasure tool applies international data erasure algorithms like NIST 800-88 Clear, NIST 800-88 Purge, and DoD 5220.22 M (3 pass). It permanently erases data from all devices, including Mac's with erasure from inaccessible hidden disk areas. It also generates immutable erasure reports and a certificate of data destruction, which assist in complying with the governing data protection laws and regulations. Resetting Isn't Enough, Erasure is Essential Organizations have always been proactive in adapting to modern-day technology to gain more profits, gain a competitive edge, and establish their brand as progressive. However, many lag in assimilating this strategy when it comes to policy implementation in terms of data destruction. The risk of a data breach creeps over every business today, whether it is a startup or an enterprise. According to IBM's Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024, an average data breach costs USD 4.88 million. This cost is 10% higher than that mentioned in the IBM 2023 report. Clearly, there is a dire need for organizations to prevent data breaches by including secure data erasure as one of their cybersecurity strategies. To prevent this risk from turning into a tragic event, businesses must leverage data erasure programs to destroy data on their Mac devices, comply with the requirements of data protection laws, and build trust with their customers. Compliance is no longer optional, and a factory reset is not compliant. Filed Under: Apple, Guides, Laptops Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
