User profile for user: Peter Mars
Peter Mars Author
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Resetting Late 2012 Mac Mini OS Catalina to Factory Settings

I am having trouble figuring out how to reset my late 2012 mac mini to factory settings. OS Catalina doesn't seem to offer the same Reset options as the articles I read says it should. I Restarted with Command-R and went thru the whole thing but it still shows my Name after it completes and restarts. I have removed the mac mini from my appleid devices page as well. It's time to sell it and I'd like to reset it to out of the box status for the new owner. Like "Hello!" screen. Thanks.

Earlier Mac models

Posted on Mar 27, 2024 6:50 PM

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User profile for user: den.thed
den.thed
User level: Level 10
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Posted on Mar 27, 2024 8:59 PM

Follow the Erase and Reinstall directions at > What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support

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User profile for user: den.thed
den.thed
User level: Level 10
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Mar 29, 2024 7:25 AM in response to Peter Mars

Yea' those directions are centered more around newer Mac's and are not very clear for older Mac's.


Sounds like you need to startup in Recovery Mode using Option-Shift-Command-R

Use Disk Utility to Reformat the internal drive Mac OS Extended (Journaled)

Install the original macOS Mountain Lion or latest macOS that is offered

Sell and let the new owner update to Catalina using their Apple ID

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Resetting Late 2012 Mac Mini OS Catalina to Factory Settings

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