How to prepare iMac 2019 for recycling

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

Some things you want to make sure is that:

1.You have all your files saved and backed up

2.You are completely signed out

3.Your computer is erased (good practice)

First of all (1):

•You should make sure all the files you want to keep are backed up to your iCloud, or saved on a external drive

Here is a link on how to: Connect and use other storage devices with Mac

Secondly (2):

•Sign out of iCloud also said how in this link:

1. Choose Apple menu , then click System Settings.
2. Click your name, then click Sign Out.
3. If you want to a keep a copy of your iCloud data on your Mac before you sign out, make sure that you select the appropriate tickboxes. Then click Keep a Copy.
4. Click Sign Out. If you use Apple Pay, click Sign Out and Remove Cards.

•Also make sure to clear your web data and remove your passwords:

✻Don't worry about clearing passwords as your passwords will be cleared when you erase your iMac

Finally (3):

•Erase your iMac:

Follow this link to factory reset your iMac

Once you have done all of this, you should be safe to say you are ready to recycle your iMac

claus237 wrote:

I think that's completely foolish to prepare a iMac 2019 to Recycling!

+1.

That Mac can run Sequoia, which is among the "most recent three", and will continue to be until macOS 28 comes out some time in the fall of 2027. Even then, it will likely keep receiving current versions of applications like Firefox and LibreOffice for several years to come.

It can also run Mojave, which might be useful if someone wanted to preserve old 32-bit applications. A dual-boot setup with Mojave and Sequoia (preferably on different drives) also might not be out of the question.

If it is in good working condition, and is prepared properly for a new owner as outlined in What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support, there will be plenty of takers for it, some of whom might be willing to offer money.

Also after following the recommendations posed by the other responders remember that you should keep your keyboard and mouse. They can be used with other Macs.

If you're considering a new Mac give the following some consideration:  a 10 Core Mac Mini M4 with 16 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD ($1299 US) with a 32" LG 4k monitor with speakers ($318 US) from Amazon.com)  is $1517 US which is $512 less than a similarly configured new 24" iMac ($2029 US).  Keep your keyboard and mouse from your current Mac for use with the Mini. 

I got the above Mini with a 32" LG 4K monitor w/speakers for the same price as a 27" monitor (didn't know the Mini had a speaker).  There are many monitors available in 27" size for about $100 US to $500 US depending on what features you want.  The prices are before tax, tariffs and the Strait of Hormuz.

I had an 2017 i7 iMac with an SSD boot drive and the new Mini runs circles around it.  So much faster.  

You can use the keyboard and mouse from your current iMac. 

Just some food for thought.

I had a 2017 iMac running Ventura 13.7.8,on a Fusion drive, and is it not to Recycling yet!

When it becomes relevant, is LINUX an option!

I had runnning LINUX Versions , on pc, and Macs ,for quite a few years!

"Just some food for thought"

claus237 wrote:

I think that's completely foolish to prepare a iMac 2019 to Recycling!

+1.

that Mac is capable of running sequoia. it will likely be supported for a little more than a year from now. my 2019 iMac is still going strong. and even once support for sequoia ends, I plan on keeping using it until it gives up the ghost. and eventually it may even eventually have LINUX installed once sequoia stops being useful. but that will probably not happen for at least another 5 years from now.

I think that's completely foolish to prepare a iMac 2019 to Recycling!

LINUX is an option then...

2019 iMac is not OLD AND VINTAGE....................

But it is just my opinion!

.Thanks .for your reply "Jeffreythefrog".

I think, we are pretty much in agreement on this!

"LINUX, might not be the intention, but it is the last resort"