{"id":49811,"date":"2024-07-16T08:49:21","date_gmt":"2024-07-16T15:49:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/?p=49811"},"modified":"2025-12-11T11:49:27","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T19:49:27","slug":"how-to-wipe-a-mac-hard-drive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/how-to-wipe-a-mac-hard-drive\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to How to Wipe a Mac or Macbook Clean"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"820\" class=\"wp-image-109323\" src=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/bb-bh-How-to-Wipe-a-Mac-Clean-e1690474166108.png\" alt=\"A decorative image showing two computers next to a cloud with the Backblaze logo.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/bb-bh-How-to-Wipe-a-Mac-Clean-e1690474166108.png 1440w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/bb-bh-How-to-Wipe-a-Mac-Clean-e1690474166108-300x171.png 300w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/bb-bh-How-to-Wipe-a-Mac-Clean-e1690474166108-1024x583.png 1024w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/bb-bh-How-to-Wipe-a-Mac-Clean-e1690474166108-768x437.png 768w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/bb-bh-How-to-Wipe-a-Mac-Clean-e1690474166108-560x319.png 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 15px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"abstract\" style=\"line-height: 1.8; margin: 24px 12px; padding: 24px 12px 10px 12px;\">This post has been updated since it was originally published.<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Your faithful Mac has served you well for years, but it\u2019s time to upgrade. Whether you\u2019re selling it, giving it to a friend, donating it, or recycling it, you first need to make sure all of your personal data is wiped clean.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>In this guide, we\u2019ll take you through the process step-by-step, from backing up your files to encrypting your data, so you can make sure your private information stays private.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Before you do anything else, back up<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Once you wipe your Mac, you won\u2019t be able to access the data from your drive. Before you get started, you\u2019ll want to make sure any important data on your hard drive has been backed up. Apple has a built-in backup utility called Time Machine backup software.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>While Time Machine is a good start, it doesn\u2019t fulfill all of the requirements of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/the-3-2-1-backup-strategy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">3-2-1 backup strategy: W<\/a>hen you set up Time Machine backups, you choose a backup disk (an external drive or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/category\/cloud-storage\/nas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">network attached storage (NAS)<\/a> device) that you can save your backups to. Under the 3-2-1 backup rule (three backups, on two media types, with one off-site), that means you\u2019d still need an off-site copy of your data, preferably saved in the cloud. Ideally, you\u2019d pair Time Machine with a product like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/cloud-backup\/personal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Backblaze Computer Backup<\/a> for maximum flexibility. Note that even though backups run <a href=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/do-i-need-a-continuous-backup-solution\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">nearly continuously<\/a> with Backblaze Computer Backup, we recommend hitting the manual backup button before you wipe your Mac to ensure you\u2019ve got the most recent information.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mac operating systems (OSes) and processing chips: Figuring out what you have<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The process for wiping your Mac depends on a couple things:\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>What OS version you\u2019re rocking<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>What kind of processing chip you have<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Fortunately, Apple has only made it easier to wipe your computer as the years and operating systems have rolled out. If you\u2019re using macOS Monterey or later with an Apple-based processor chip, it\u2019s very simple\u2014you have the option to wipe your Mac from the System Settings.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What macOS do I have?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>You can see your current OS in the <strong>About This Mac<\/strong> screen (from the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of your screen, choose About This Mac), and below is a list of all OS releases you can compare against. You can also check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/HT201260\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Apple Help article<\/a> on the topic.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a0775a457af6&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a0775a457af6\" class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" class=\"wp-image-111410\" style=\"width: 400px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_1_OS-versions.png\" alt=\"A screenshot showing the latests Mac OS versions.\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 20px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What kind of processing chip do I have in my Mac?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The second variable you need to know is what kind of processing chip you have in your Mac\u2014an Apple-based chip (Apple M-series) or an Intel chip.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>In November 2020, Apple launched its first Macs equipped with M1 chips, replacing the Intel-based processors of the past. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.macworld.com\/article\/670873\/which-mac-processor-apple-processor-comparison-m1-vs-intel.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">evolution of the M-series Apple chips<\/a> has been notable largely for performance enhancements, but given that (at the time of publishing) this was four years ago, there\u2019s a good chance that many users will have an Intel processor.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>To see what kind of chip you have, follow the same instructions as above\u2014go to your Apple menu and select <strong>About This Mac<\/strong>. If you have an M-series chip, you\u2019ll see that listed as marked in the screenshot below.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a0775a4583cc&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a0775a4583cc\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"580\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" class=\"wp-image-111411\" src=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_2_M-series-chip-1024x580.png\" alt=\"A screenshot showing where to identify a M series chip on a Mac. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_2_M-series-chip-1024x580.png 1024w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_2_M-series-chip-300x170.png 300w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_2_M-series-chip-768x435.png 768w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_2_M-series-chip.png 1196w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 15px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>If you have an Intel-based Mac, you will see <strong>Processor<\/strong>, followed by the name of an Intel processor.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a0775a458abc&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a0775a458abc\" class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2456\" height=\"1498\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" class=\"wp-image-111412\" style=\"width: 610px; height: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_3_Intel-processor.png\" alt=\"A screenshot identifying an Intel processor on a Mac. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_3_Intel-processor.png 2456w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_3_Intel-processor-300x183.png 300w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_3_Intel-processor-1024x625.png 1024w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_3_Intel-processor-768x468.png 768w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_3_Intel-processor-1536x937.png 1536w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_3_Intel-processor-2048x1249.png 2048w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_3_Intel-processor-1568x956.png 1568w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2456px) 100vw, 2456px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 20px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to wipe your Mac<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Okay, so now that you know your operating system and processing chip, we can get to the actual how-to of how to wipe your Mac. The steps will be slightly different based on each of the above variables. Let\u2019s dig in.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wipe a Mac with an Apple chip and a recent macOS update<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>If you have macOS Monterey or later with an Apple chip, then you\u2019re going to wipe your Mac using the <a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/HT212749\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Erase All Content and Settings<\/a> function. (You might also see this called the Erase Assistant in Apple\u2019s Help articles.) This will delete all your data, including iCloud and Apple logins, Apple wallet information, Bluetooth pairings, fingerprint sensor profiles, and Find My Mac settings, as well as resetting your Mac to factory settings. Here\u2019s how you find it.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>If you have macOS Ventura or Sonoma:\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Select the Apple menu.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Choose <strong>System Settings<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Click <strong>General<\/strong> in the sidebar.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Click <strong>Transfer or Reset<\/strong> on the right.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-94bc23d7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\r\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a0775a459352&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a0775a459352\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" class=\"wp-image-111413\" style=\"object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_4_Transfer-or-Reset.png\" alt=\"A screenshot showing where to find Transfer or Reset on a Mac.\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a0775a459913&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a0775a459913\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"881\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" class=\"wp-image-111421\" src=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_5_Erase-all-content-and-settings-e1721144217394-1024x881.png\" alt=\"A screenshot showing where to find Erase all content and settings.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_5_Erase-all-content-and-settings-e1721144217394-1024x881.png 1024w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_5_Erase-all-content-and-settings-e1721144217394-300x258.png 300w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_5_Erase-all-content-and-settings-e1721144217394-768x660.png 768w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_5_Erase-all-content-and-settings-e1721144217394.png 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 15px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>If you have macOS Monterey:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Select the Apple Menu.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Choose <strong>System Preferences<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Once the System Preferences window is open, select the dropdown menu in your top navigation bar. Then, select <strong>Erase All Content and Settings<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a0775a45a08e&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a0775a45a08e\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"894\" height=\"822\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" class=\"wp-image-111414\" src=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_6_Apple-menu-erase.png\" alt=\"A screenshot showing where to find Erase all content and settings in the Apple menu. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_6_Apple-menu-erase.png 894w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_6_Apple-menu-erase-300x276.png 300w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_6_Apple-menu-erase-768x706.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 894px) 100vw, 894px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 15px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Once you\u2019ve reached this point, then the steps will be the same for each process. Here\u2019s what to expect.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>You\u2019ll be prompted to log in with your administrator credentials.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Next, you will be reminded to back up via Time Machine. Remember that if you choose this option, you\u2019ll want to back up to an external device\u2014because, of course, you\u2019re about to get rid of all the data stored on this computer.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Click <strong>Continue<\/strong> to allow all your settings, data, accounts, etc. to be removed.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a0775a45a68d&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a0775a45a68d\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"468\" height=\"351\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" class=\"wp-image-111415\" src=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_7_Erase-by-category.png\" alt=\"A screenshot showing all data types that will be deleted by the erase all content and settings process on a Mac. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_7_Erase-by-category.png 468w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_7_Erase-by-category-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 15px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"4\">\r\n<li>If you\u2019re asked to sign out of Apple ID, enter your Apple password and hit <strong>Continue<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Click <strong>Erase all Content &amp; Settings<\/strong> to confirm.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a0775a45ad1b&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a0775a45ad1b\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1200\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" class=\"wp-image-111416\" src=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_8_Point-of-no-return-erase.png\" alt=\"A screenshot of the confirmation that you're going to erase all content and settings. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_8_Point-of-no-return-erase.png 1600w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_8_Point-of-no-return-erase-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_8_Point-of-no-return-erase-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_8_Point-of-no-return-erase-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_8_Point-of-no-return-erase-1536x1152.png 1536w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_8_Point-of-no-return-erase-1568x1176.png 1568w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 15px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"6\">\r\n<li>Your Mac will automatically restart. If you have an accessory like a Bluetooth keyboard, you\u2019ll be prompted to reconnect that device.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Select a WiFi network or attach a network cable.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>After joining a network, your Mac activates. Click <strong>Restart<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>After your device has restarted, a setup assistant will launch (just like when you first got your Mac).\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>It\u2019ll be pretty clear if you don\u2019t meet the conditions to erase your drive using this method because you won\u2019t see Erase All Content and Settings on the System Settings we showed you above. So, here are instructions for the other methods.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to wipe a Mac with an Apple chip using Disk Utility<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/guide\/disk-utility\/welcome\/mac\">Disk Utility<\/a> is exactly what it sounds like: a Mac system application that helps you to manage your various storage volumes. You\u2019d use it to manage storage if you have additional storage volumes, like a NAS or external hard drive; to set up a partition on your drive; to create a disk image (basically, a backup); or to simply give your disks a check up if they\u2019re acting funky.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>You can access Disk Utility at any time by selecting Finder &gt; Go &gt; Utilities, but you can also trigger Disk Utility on startup as outlined below.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Turn on your Mac and continue to press and hold the power button until the startup options window comes up. Click <strong>Options<\/strong>, then click <strong>Continue<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>You may be prompted to log in with either your administrative password or your Apple ID.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>When the <strong>Utilities<\/strong> window appears, select <strong>Disk Utility<\/strong> and hit <strong>Continue<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a0775a45b542&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a0775a45b542\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"936\" height=\"858\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" class=\"wp-image-111417\" src=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_9_Disk-Utility.png\" alt=\"A screenshot showing the Disk Utility screen. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_9_Disk-Utility.png 936w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_9_Disk-Utility-300x275.png 300w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_9_Disk-Utility-768x704.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 936px) 100vw, 936px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 20px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"4\">\r\n<li>If you\u2019d previously added other drives to your startup disk, click the delete volume button (\u2013) to erase them.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Then, choose <strong>Macintosh HD<\/strong> in the sidebar.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Click the <strong>Erase<\/strong> button, then select a file system format and enter a name for it. For Macs with an M1 chip, your option for a file system format is only Apple File System (APFS).<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Click <strong>Erase<\/strong> or, if it\u2019s an option, <strong>Erase Volume Group<\/strong>. You may be asked for your Apple ID at this point.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>You\u2019ll be prompted to confirm your choice, then your computer will restart.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Just as in the other steps, when the computer restarts, it will attempt to activate by connecting to WiFi or asking you to attach a network cable.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>After it activates, select <strong>Exit to Recovery Utilities<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Once it\u2019s done, the Mac\u2019s hard drive will be clean as a whistle and ready for its next adventure: a fresh installation of the macOS, being donated to a relative or a local charity, or just sent to an e-waste facility. Of course, you can still drill a hole in your disk or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/fire-works-or-does-it-how-to-destroy-your-drives\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">smash it with a sledgehammer<\/a> if it makes you happy, but now you know how to wipe the data from your old computer with much less ruckus.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to wipe a Mac with an Intel Processor using Disk Utility<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Last but not least, let\u2019s talk about how to wipe an Intel-based Mac.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Starting with your Mac turned off, press the power button, then immediately hold down the command (\u2318) and R keys and wait until the Apple logo appears. This will launch macOS Recovery.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>You may be prompted to log in with an administrator account password.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>When the Recovery window appears, select <strong>Disk Utility<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>In the sidebar, choose <strong>Macintosh HD<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Click the <strong>Erase<\/strong> button, then select a file system format and enter a name for it. Your options for a file system format include APFS, which is the file system used by macOS 10.13 or later, and macOS Extended, which is the file system used by macOS 10.12 or earlier.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Click <strong>Erase<\/strong> or <strong>Erase Volume Group<\/strong>. You may be prompted to provide your Apple ID.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>If you previously used Disk Utility to add other storage volumes, you can erase them individually using the process above.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>When you\u2019ve deleted all your drives, quit Disk Utility to return to the utilities window. You may also choose to restart your computer at this point.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do you still need to know what kind of drive you have?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Wiping your Mac used to depend on what kind of drive you had\u2014a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD). As we\u2019ve outlined above, today, the process depends on your OS and the type of chip you have. But some of you may have very old Macs you want to get rid of. Here we\u2019ll talk a bit about HDDs vs SSDs and the impact that has on how you erase your computer.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Around 2010, Apple started moving to only SSD storage in many of its devices. That said, some Mac desktop computers continued to offer the option of both SSD and HDD storage until 2020, a setup they called a <a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/HT202574\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fusion Drive<\/a>. The Fusion Drive is not to be confused with <a href=\"https:\/\/apple.stackexchange.com\/questions\/124847\/is-flash-storage-the-same-ssd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">flash storage<\/a>, a term that refers to the internal storage that holds your readily available and most accessed data at lower power settings.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Note that as of November 2021, Apple does not offer any Macs with a Fusion Drive. Basically, if you bought your device before 2010 or you have a desktop computer from 2021 or earlier, there\u2019s a chance you may be using an HDD.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"abstract\" style=\"line-height: 1.8; margin: 24px 12px; padding: 24px 12px 10px 12px;\">\r\n<h4>HDDs and SSDs: What\u2019s the difference?<\/h4>\r\n<p>There are good reasons that Apple switched to using mostly SSDs, and good reasons they kept HDDs around for as long as they did as well. If you want to know more about the differences in drive types, check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/hdd-versus-ssd-whats-the-diff\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hard Disk Drive (HDD) vs. Solid State Drive (SSD): What\u2019s the Difference?<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">So, what kind of drive do you have?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>To determine what kind of drive your Mac uses, click on the Apple menu and select <strong>About This Mac<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Avoid the pitfall of selecting the <strong>Storage<\/strong> tab in the top menu. What you\u2019ll find is that the default name of your drive is \u201cMacintosh HD\u201d which is confusing, given that they\u2019re referring to the internal storage of the computer as a hard drive when (in most cases), your drive is an SSD. While you can find information about your drive on this screen, we prefer the method that provides maximum clarity.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>So, on the <strong>Overview<\/strong> screen, click <strong>System Report<\/strong>. Bonus: You\u2019ll also see what type of processor you have and your macOS version (which will be useful later).\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a0775a45c003&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a0775a45c003\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1196\" height=\"676\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" class=\"wp-image-111418\" src=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_10_System-report.png\" alt=\"A screenshot showing the System Report tab on a Mac. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_10_System-report.png 1196w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_10_System-report-300x170.png 300w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_10_System-report-1024x579.png 1024w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_10_System-report-768x434.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1196px) 100vw, 1196px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 15px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Once there, select the <strong>Storage<\/strong> tab, then the volume name you want to identify. You should see a line called <strong>Medium Type<\/strong>, which will tell you what kind of drive you have.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a0775a45c664&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a0775a45c664\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1866\" height=\"960\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" class=\"wp-image-111419\" src=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_11_Medium-type.png\" alt=\"A screenshot showing where to find the media type of your hard drive on a Mac, under the storage tab. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_11_Medium-type.png 1866w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_11_Medium-type-300x154.png 300w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_11_Medium-type-1024x527.png 1024w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_11_Medium-type-768x395.png 768w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_11_Medium-type-1536x790.png 1536w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_11_Medium-type-1568x807.png 1568w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1866px) 100vw, 1866px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 20px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Securely erasing drives: Questions and considerations<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Some of you drive experts out there might remember that there is some nuance to security when it comes to erasing drives, and that there are differences in erasing HDDs versus SSDs. Without detouring into why and how that\u2019s the case, just know that on Fusion Drives or Intel-based Macs, you may see additional security options you can enable when erasing HDDs.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>There are four options in the \u201cSecurity Options\u201d slider. \u201cFastest\u201d is quick but insecure\u2014data could potentially be rebuilt using a file recovery app. Moving that slider to the right introduces progressively more secure erasing. Disk Utility\u2019s most secure level erases the information used to access the files on your disk, then writes zeros across the disk surface seven times to help remove any trace of what was there. This setting conforms to the DoD 5220.22-M specification. Bear in mind that the more secure method you select, the longer it will take. The most secure methods can add hours to the process. For peace of mind, we suggest choosing the most secure option to erase your hard drive. You can always start the process in the evening and let it run overnight.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>After the process is complete, restart your Mac and see if you can find any data. A quick inspection is not foolproof, but it can provide some peace of mind that the process finished without an interruption.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Securely erasing SSDs and why not to<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>If your Mac comes equipped with an SSD, Apple\u2019s Disk Utility software won\u2019t actually let you zero the drive. Sounds strange, right? Apple\u2019s online <a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/guide\/disk-utility\/erase-and-reformat-a-storage-device-dskutl14079\/mac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Knowledge Base<\/a> explains that secure erase options are not available in Disk Utility for SSDs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Fortunately, you are not restricted to using the standard erasure option to protect yourself. Instead, you can use FileVault, a capability built into the operating system.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Encrypting your computer with FileVault<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/HT204837\">FileVault<\/a> is an excellent option to protect all of the data on a Mac SSD with encryption. FileVault is whole-disk encryption for the Mac. With FileVault engaged, you need a password to access the information on your hard drive. Even without it, your data is encrypted and it would be very difficult for anybody else to access.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Before you use FileVault, there is a crucial downside. If you lose your password or the encryption key, your data may be gone for good!\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>When you first set up a new Mac, you\u2019re given the option of turning FileVault on. If you don\u2019t do it then, you can turn on FileVault at any time by clicking on your Mac\u2019s <strong>System Preferences<\/strong>, clicking on <strong>Security &amp; Privacy<\/strong>, and selecting the <strong>FileVault<\/strong> tab. Be warned, however, that the initial encryption process can take hours, as will decryption if you ever need to turn FileVault off.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a0775a45ce49&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a0775a45ce49\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1486\" height=\"1282\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" class=\"wp-image-111420\" src=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_12_File-Vault.png\" alt=\"A screenshot showing where to enable FileVault on a Mac. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_12_File-Vault.png 1486w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_12_File-Vault-300x259.png 300w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_12_File-Vault-1024x883.png 1024w, https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Wipe-a-Mac_12_File-Vault-768x663.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1486px) 100vw, 1486px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 15px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>With FileVault turned on, you can restart your Mac into its Recovery System following the directions above and erase your hard drive using Disk Utility, once you\u2019ve unlocked it (by selecting the disk, clicking the <strong>File<\/strong> menu, and clicking <strong>Unlock<\/strong>). That deletes the FileVault key, which means any data on the drive is useless.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Nowadays, most Macs manage disk encryption through the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Apple_T2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">T2 chip<\/a> and its Secure Enclave, which is entirely separate from the main computer itself. This is why FileVault has no CPU overhead\u2014it\u2019s all handled by the T2 chip. Although FileVault doesn\u2019t impact the performance of most modern Macs, we\u2019d suggest only using it if your Mac has an SSD, not a conventional HDD.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Securely erasing free space on your SSD<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>If you don\u2019t want to take Apple\u2019s word for it, if you\u2019re not using FileVault, or if you just want to, there is a way to securely erase free space on your SSD. It\u2019s a little more involved, but it works. Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let me state for the record that this really isn\u2019t necessary to do, which is why Apple\u2019s made it so hard to do.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>To delete all data from an SSD on an Apple computer, use Apple\u2019s Terminal app. Terminal provides you with command line interface (CLI) access to the OS X operating system. Terminal lives in the Utilities folder, but you can access Terminal from the Mac\u2019s Recovery System. Once your Mac has booted into the Recovery partition, click the <strong>Utilities<\/strong> menu and launch <strong>Terminal<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>From a Terminal command line, type the following:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>diskutil secureErase freespace VALUE \/Volumes\/DRIVE<\/code><\/pre>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 10px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>That tells your Mac to securely erase the free space on your SSD. You\u2019ll need to change <code>value<\/code> to a number between 0 and 4. Zero is a single-pass run of zeroes, 1 is a single-pass run of random numbers, 2 is a seven-pass erase, 3 is a 35-pass erase. Finally, level 4 is a three-pass erase with random fills plus a final zero fill. <code>drive<\/code> should be changed to the name of your hard drive. To run a seven-pass erase of your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/how-reliable-are-ssds\/\">SSD<\/a> drive in <code>JohnB-MacBook<\/code>, you would enter the following:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>diskutil secureErase freespace 2 \/Volumes\/JohnB-MacBook<\/code><\/pre>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 10px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Note that while Mac\u2019s Terminal typically uses forward slashes ( \/ ), if you have a space in the name of your hard drive, you\u2019ll see a backslash ( \\ ) to indicate that break in syntax. (So \u201cMacintosh HD\u201d becomes <code>\/Macintosh\\ HD<\/code>.) For example, to run a 35-pass erase on a hard drive called Macintosh HD, enter the following:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>diskutil secureErase freespace 3 \/Volumes\/Macintosh\\ HD<\/code><\/pre>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height: 10px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>If you\u2019re like the majority of computer users, you\u2019ve never opened your Terminal application\u2014and that\u2019s probably a good thing. If you\u2019re providing the proper instructions, a CLI lets you directly edit the guts of your computer. If you\u2019re not providing the proper instructions, things will just error out, and likely you won\u2019t know why.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In conclusion, in most cases, it\u2019s simple to wipe your Mac hard drive<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>All this to say: Apple has made specific choices about designing products for folks who aren\u2019t computer experts, and in most cases, you won\u2019t need to break out the CLI knowledge to securely erase your hard drive. While Mac sometimes limits how customizable you can get on your device (i.e. it\u2019s super hard to zero out an SSD), it\u2019s usually for good reason\u2014in this case, it\u2019s to preserve the health of your drive in the long term. So, if you personally are planning to reuse the device you\u2019re wiping, or if you&#8217;re not being targeted in a real-life James Bond movie, in most instances, it\u2019s a less-than-ten step process to securely wipe your Mac and send it on to a new, shiny future.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQ<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\">\r\n<div id=\"faq-question-1721142802184\" class=\"schema-faq-section\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">1. How do I wipe a Mac computer?<\/strong>\r\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Wiping all data from your Mac depends on what macOS you\u2019re using and what kind of processing chip you have. For Macs using macOS Monterey or later, you can use the <a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/HT212749\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Erase All Content and Settings<\/a> function. This will delete all your data, including iCloud and Apple logins, Apple wallet information, Bluetooth pairings, fingerprint sensor profiles, and Find My Mac settings, as well as resetting your Mac to factory settings.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"faq-question-1721142822560\" class=\"schema-faq-section\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">2. How do I wipe a Mac with an Intel processing chip?<\/strong>\r\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">To wipe a Mac with an Intel processing chip, you need to use Disk Utility, a Mac system application that helps you to manage your various storage volumes. You can access Disk Utility by selecting Finder &gt; Go &gt; Utilities. Choose Macintosh HD in the sidebar, click the Erase button, then select a file system format and enter a name for it. Your options for a file system format include Apple File System (APFS), which is the file system used by macOS 10.13 or later, and macOS Extended, which is the file system used by macOS 10.12 or earlier. Then click Erase or, if it\u2019s an option, Erase Volume Group.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"faq-question-1721142842795\" class=\"schema-faq-section\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">3. How do I encrypt data on my Mac?<\/strong>\r\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\"><a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/HT204837\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FileVault<\/a> is an excellent option to protect all of the data on a Mac SSD with encryption. FileVault is whole-disk encryption for the Mac. With FileVault engaged, you need a password to access the information on your hard drive. Even without it, your data is encrypted and it would be very difficult for anybody else to access.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Read this guide to learn effective and safe methods to wipe your Mac hard drive or SSD.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":159,"featured_media":109323,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[121,434,437,5],"tags":[469,377,415],"class_list":["post-49811","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-backing-up","category-featured-1","category-featured-backing-up","category-mac-love","tag-consumerbackup","tag-ssd","tag-ssd101","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Wipe a Mac Hard Drive: A Step-by-Step Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you\u2019re looking to get rid of all the data on a Mac hard drive or SSD, you need to wipe it fully. Learn some safe and effective methods for wiping data.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/how-to-wipe-a-mac-hard-drive\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Wipe a Mac Hard Drive: A Step-by-Step Guide\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If you\u2019re looking to get rid of all the data on a Mac hard drive or SSD, you need to wipe it fully. Learn some safe and effective methods for wiping data.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/how-to-wipe-a-mac-hard-drive\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Backblaze Blog | Cloud Storage &amp; Cloud Backup\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/backblaze\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-07-16T15:49:21+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-12-11T19:49:27+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/bb-bh-How-to-Wipe-a-Mac-Clean-e1690474166108.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1440\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"820\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Molly Clancy\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@backblaze\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@backblaze\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Molly Clancy\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How to Wipe a Mac Hard Drive: A Step-by-Step Guide","description":"If you\u2019re looking to get rid of all the data on a Mac hard drive or SSD, you need to wipe it fully. 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With more than 15 years of experience, she has a broad background in industries ranging from B2B tech to engineering to luxury travel. A deep curiosity drives her repeated success explaining what terms like OS kernel and preflight request mean so that anyone can understand them.","url":"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/author\/molly\/"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/how-to-wipe-a-mac-hard-drive\/#faq-question-1721142802184","position":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/how-to-wipe-a-mac-hard-drive\/#faq-question-1721142802184","name":"1. How do I wipe a Mac computer?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Wiping all data from your Mac depends on what macOS you\u2019re using and what kind of processing chip you have. For Macs using macOS Monterey or later, you can use the <a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/HT212749\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Erase All Content and Settings<\/a> function. This will delete all your data, including iCloud and Apple logins, Apple wallet information, Bluetooth pairings, fingerprint sensor profiles, and Find My Mac settings, as well as resetting your Mac to factory settings.\u00a0","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/how-to-wipe-a-mac-hard-drive\/#faq-question-1721142822560","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/how-to-wipe-a-mac-hard-drive\/#faq-question-1721142822560","name":"2. How do I wipe a Mac with an Intel processing chip?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"To wipe a Mac with an Intel processing chip, you need to use Disk Utility, a Mac system application that helps you to manage your various storage volumes. You can access Disk Utility by selecting Finder > Go > Utilities. Choose Macintosh HD in the sidebar, click the Erase button, then select a file system format and enter a name for it. Your options for a file system format include Apple File System (APFS), which is the file system used by macOS 10.13 or later, and macOS Extended, which is the file system used by macOS 10.12 or earlier. Then click Erase or, if it\u2019s an option, Erase Volume Group.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/how-to-wipe-a-mac-hard-drive\/#faq-question-1721142842795","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/www.backblaze.com\/blog\/how-to-wipe-a-mac-hard-drive\/#faq-question-1721142842795","name":"3. How do I encrypt data on my Mac?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"<a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/HT204837\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FileVault<\/a> is an excellent option to protect all of the data on a Mac SSD with encryption. FileVault is whole-disk encryption for the Mac. With FileVault engaged, you need a password to access the information on your hard drive. Even without it, your data is encrypted and it would be very difficult for anybody else to access.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/bb-bh-How-to-Wipe-a-Mac-Clean-e1690474166108.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49811","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49811"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49811\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/109323"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49811"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49811"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/backblazeprod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49811"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}