Resetting MacBook pro to default

friend gave me Mac So I just added myself on as administrator but it’s super slow so I was wanting to reset it to default so I can erase everything all his stuff toHoping it will speed things up

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Aug 9, 2023 7:48 PM

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Posted on Aug 9, 2023 7:52 PM

Chuckchucks wrote:

friend gave me Mac So I just added myself on as administrator but it’s super slow so I was wanting to reset it to default so I can erase everything all his stuff toHoping it will speed things up

Your friend has to do this: What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support


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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 9, 2023 7:52 PM in response to Chuckchucks

Chuckchucks wrote:

friend gave me Mac So I just added myself on as administrator but it’s super slow so I was wanting to reset it to default so I can erase everything all his stuff toHoping it will speed things up

Your friend has to do this: What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support


Aug 9, 2023 8:02 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

If you're looking to reset the MacBook Pro to its default settings and erase all data, you can perform a clean installation of macOS. This process will remove all data, including your friend's files and applications, and give you a fresh start. Here's how you can do it:


Note: Before proceeding with these steps, make sure you have backed up any important data from the MacBook Pro, as the process will erase everything on the device.


1. Create a Bootable macOS Installer:

- You'll need a USB flash drive (at least 16GB) to create a bootable macOS installer. You can use another Mac to create this installer using the official macOS installer app from the App Store.

- Follow the instructions in Apple's support article to create a bootable installer: [How to create a bootable installer for macOS](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372).


2. Restart Your MacBook Pro:

- Insert the bootable USB installer into the MacBook Pro.

- Restart the MacBook Pro while holding down the "Option" key. This will bring up the Startup Manager.


3. Choose the Bootable Installer:

- From the Startup Manager, select the bootable USB installer. It might be labeled as "Install macOS."


4. Erase the Hard Drive:

- Once the installer loads, select "Disk Utility" from the Utilities menu.

- In Disk Utility, select your MacBook Pro's internal hard drive or SSD from the list on the left.

- Click the "Erase" button and choose a format (usually "APFS" for modern Macs).

- Give your drive a new name and click "Erase" to wipe the drive clean.


5. Install macOS:

- Close Disk Utility after the drive is erased.

- In the installer window, follow the on-screen instructions to install macOS on the freshly erased drive.


6. Set Up macOS:

- After the installation is complete, your MacBook Pro will restart.

- Follow the on-screen instructions to set up macOS as if it were a new device.

- When prompted, sign in with your Apple ID to activate macOS.


By performing these steps, you will have essentially reset the MacBook Pro to its default state. It will be as if you're using a new Mac. Keep in mind that this process will remove all data from the MacBook Pro, so make sure you've backed up any important files before proceeding.


If you encounter any issues during this process or have questions, it's always a good idea to consult Apple's official support resources or visit an Apple Store for assistance.


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Resetting MacBook pro to default

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