How to factory reset Mac running macOS Catalina 10.15.8

I want to remove all data and return to factory setting for my Mac OS catalina 10.15.8

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.15

Posted on May 3, 2026 8:01 AM

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Posted on May 3, 2026 8:19 AM

See if this article provides what you’re looking for:

What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support

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Top-ranking reply

Level 7

32,878 points

May 3, 2026 8:19 AM in response to davidfromdalbeattie

See if this article provides what you’re looking for:

What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support

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May 3, 2026 10:20 AM in response to Chattanoogan

Chattanoogan wrote:

See if this article provides what you’re looking for:

What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support

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Level 10

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May 3, 2026 10:29 AM in response to Chattanoogan

+ 2

On your older iMac running Catalina, skip down to "If you can’t use Erase All Content and Settings" in the support article that Chattanoogan supplied and start from there.

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How to factory reset Mac running macOS Catalina 10.15.8

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