How to Restore My Mac to Factory Settings?

Back up your files with Time Machine or another backup method

Sign out of iCloud

Sign out of Messages

Sign out of Music, TV, and Books if needed

Unpair Bluetooth devices if desired

Restart your Mac

On Apple silicon Mac or Intel Mac with T2 chip, press and hold the power button until startup options appear

Select Options

Click Continue

If prompted, enter your administrator password

Open Disk Utility

Select your startup disk

Click Erase

Choose APFS if prompted

Confirm the erase

Quit Disk Utility

Select Reinstall macOS

Follow the on-screen instructions

Keep the Mac connected to power and the internet during installation

Complete setup or shut down if you are preparing the Mac for a new owner