{"id":78544,"date":"2021-11-16T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-16T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/?p=78544"},"modified":"2021-11-16T02:54:14","modified_gmt":"2021-11-16T08:54:14","slug":"how-to-easily-erase-an-mx-macs-data-with-macos-monterey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/78544-how-to-easily-erase-an-mx-macs-data-with-macos-monterey\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Easily Erase an MX Mac’s Data with macOS Monterey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of my favorite features of macOS Monterey is making it so much easier to prepare a Mac (at least some models) for resale. It adds an \u201cErase all contents and setting\u201d option that\u2019s been a staple on iPhones and iPads for some time now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changes to erasing a Mac<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Erasing a Mac running an earlier version of macOS required formatting the startup disk and reinstalling macOS, which a time-consuming process. But with macOS Monterey, System Preferences now offers an option to erase all user data and user-installed apps from the system, while maintaining the operating system currently installed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apple says that because storage is always encrypted on Mac systems with Apple silicon or the T2 chip, the system is instantly and securely “erased” by destroying the encryption keys. And that\u2019s the catch: this process only works with Macs running Apple Silicon (M1, M1 Pro, or M1 Max processors) or a Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip. You can find a list of the latter by going here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Erasing a Mac with macOS Monterey<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have such a Mac and wish to sell it or give it away, make sure all your data is backed up, and a follow this process:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b0 Open System Preferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b0 Click System Preferences in the menu bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b0 You\u2019ll see an option to \u201cErase All Contents and Settings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"System
Choose Erase All Contents & Settings<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u00b0 Enter your user name and password for your Mac in the pop-up dialog<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Erase
Enter your user name and password<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u00b0 Click Erase All Content & Settings to confirm that you want to proceed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"About
Confirm the process<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Your Mac restarts and shows a black screen or progress bar. It\u2019s now erasing all content and settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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