How to erase my Mac to sell

Hi actrnr,

If you have a strong Internet connection, these steps will completely erase your Mac and install a fresh copy of macOS.

1. Back up your data. Time Machine provides an easy way to do this using an external drive: Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support
2. If you used your Mac with an Apple ID, make sure you have that Apple ID and password ready. You might need it to clear Activation Lock before the Mac can be reused.
3. Start up from macOS Recovery, as described in the article you linked: How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support
4. If you're asked for an administrator password, skip to step 7.
5. A list of utilities should appear. At the top of the screen, select Utilities -> Terminal.
6. In Terminal, type "resetpassword" without the quotes and hit Enter (Return).
7. The Recovery Assistant app should appear. At the top of the screen, select Recovery Assistant -> Erase Mac.
8. Follow the onscreen instructions to erase your Mac.
9. Once the erase is complete, your Mac will restart. Connect to a Wi-Fi network if prompted and clear Activation Lock if needed.
10. The list of utilities should then return. Choose Install macOS and follow the onscreen instructions.
11. When the installer completes and the Setup Assistant appears, press Command-Q to shut down the Mac. When the new owner receives the Mac, they can then complete the Setup Assistant using their info.

Hope this helps!

actrnr Said:

"How to erase my Mac to sell: I’ve been trying for 2 days to erase my Mac to sell. I can’t figure it out."

-------

Properly Selling a Mac:

I. Back Up First, then Proceed:

A. IMPORTANT: Back up your Mac, first:

Create a Time Machine backup of your Mac prior to upgrading, so that you can have something to restore your Mac from, should anything go wrong with the reinstall.

B. Log Out of iCloud, First:

Perform as instructed here, including the backup creation, and iCloud logout: What to do Before you Sell, Give Away, Trade in, or Recycle your Mac - Apple Support. If you do not log out of iCloud on it, then the buyer will never be able to log into it, themself.

II. Are you Stuck in Recovery Mode?

A. Refer to their link: How to Reinstall macOS - Apple Support.

B. Use Ethernet:

For a more reliable connection, connect your Mac to your router using Ethernet.

C. Create a USB Bootable Installer:

Delete all partitions on the drive (using Disk Utility), and then create a USB Bootable Installer.

1. Go Here: How to create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support.
2. Choose: the code for a High Sierra USB Bootable Installer
3. Install: High Sierra from the USB Bootable Installer