Not able to completely zero out a Mac?
How do I thoroughly wipe out a Mac? I’m in Recovery Mode but not able to erase ALL the Apple disk images and containers because the erase option is greyed out.
MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.6
You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!
When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.
When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.
How do I thoroughly wipe out a Mac? I’m in Recovery Mode but not able to erase ALL the Apple disk images and containers because the erase option is greyed out.
MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.6
What I've done to erase an entire HD with volumes like in your screenshot is the following;
1 - erase Mac HD - Data
2 - erase Mac HD
3 - erase Container Disc2
4 - Erase Apple SSD XXXXX Media
I've tried starting out with #4 but nearly all the time it could not do the job. So I started at #4 and worked my way upward.
If you get an error message that a volume couldn't be unmounted select it in Disk Utrility, unmount and remount. Then try erasing again.
jetway:
I'm running Monterey and am unable to find anything in the System Preference relating to what you described. Can you post a screenshot of the preference pane it's in?
What I've done to erase an entire HD with volumes like in your screenshot is the following;
1 - erase Mac HD - Data
2 - erase Mac HD
3 - erase Container Disc2
4 - Erase Apple SSD XXXXX Media
I've tried starting out with #4 but nearly all the time it could not do the job. So I started at #4 and worked my way upward.
If you get an error message that a volume couldn't be unmounted select it in Disk Utrility, unmount and remount. Then try erasing again.
jetway:
I'm running Monterey and am unable to find anything in the System Preference relating to what you described. Can you post a screenshot of the preference pane it's in?
Here is how you you erase the disk: Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac - Apple Support
There is no need to erase the Apple SSD. If it is an M1 Mac, you could render it unusable unless you have another Mac or take it to an Apple Store.
Ok I also worked my way up when wiping out the OS. First starting with Mac HD - Data
I've tried starting out with #4 but nearly all the time it could not do the job. So I started at #4 and worked my way upward.
Do you mean you first erase Mac HD - Data > Mac HD > Container and then Apple SSD?
You can do that by going to Apple Logo -> System Preferences
System Preferences -> Erase all contents and settings (on Monterey)
I see no such setting in Big Sur
The disk image is the Recovery volume or installer. It is not part of your OS.
You can't erase what it is booted into.
DCarlson93 wrote:
Do you mean you first erase Mac HD - Data > Mac HD > Container and then Apple SSD?
Yes, if you can't completely erase the Apple SSD right off the bat.
Not able to completely zero out a Mac?