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If you’re selling your computer or trading it in for something newer, you’ll probably want to wipe your hard drive.
After all, you don’t want to give it to its new owner with all your pictures and documents on it — or lose those things!
But how do you wipe it? How do you erase everything on your Mac and restore it to factory settings, so the next person gets a clean computer with none of your documents?
We’ve got all the answers right here!
Read on to find out how.
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Backup Your Computer Using Time Machine
Before you even think about wiping your hard drive, make sure that you have everything backed up.
After all, even if you don’t want the computer anymore, you probably want all of the stuff on it.
And once you restore your computer to factory settings, all your photos, videos, documents, and downloads are going to be gone.
Whether you’re getting rid of the computer or wiping your hard drive to fix an error, the best way to back up your Mac is to use Time Machine.
Essentially, this is a tool that Apple created to help people create a “copy” of their computer that could be accessed at a later date.
Read Related Article: Hard Disk Drive vs. Solid-State Drive (SSD)
Here’s how you use it to back up your computer:
- Open System Preferences, located on the Apple Menu bar.
- Select the Time Machine icon in the System Preferences folder.
- Click Select Backup Disk, located in the top-middle of the window.
- Choose the disk you’d like to use to back up your computer. Typically, you’ll want to plug in an external hard drive and select that. This will create a copy of your internal hard drive and write it onto the external one.
- It’s a good idea to do this regularly even if you don’t plan on wiping your hard drive. By plugging in an external HD and backing everything up to Time Machine on a regular basis, you’ll create a copy of it that you can use in case you lose your data for any reason (it happens, believe us).
- If you’d prefer not to use Time Machine for any reason, you can use alternative methods. For example, you can use iCloud or another cloud storage solution to store all of your files online.
Click here to learn how to back up your computer to iCloud.
Deauthorize Your iTunes Account
If your iTunes account is connected to your computer, then the next owner will be able to access it.
So, you need to deauthorize the account. That way, your account will no longer be linked to the machine.
Here’s how you do it:
- Open iTunes on your computer
- Select Account from the options on the Menu bar.
- Scroll down to Authorizations and select Deauthorize This Computer.
- iTunes will ask you for your Apple ID and your password. Once you enter that, it will give you the option to Deauthorize your account. Click that, and you’re all set.
Log Out of iCloud and iMessage
Similar to iTunes, you have to sign out of your iCloud account, too. Otherwise, the next owner may be able to access it.
Luckily, it’s pretty simple.
Here’s what you do:
- Select System Preferences from the Menu bar.
- Click on the iCloud icon.
- Click the Sign Out option on the bottom-left side of the window.
Once you do that, you’ll be signed out!
Reformat Your Hard Drive Disk (HDD)
“Reformatting” is a fancy tech word for wiping the hard drive clean and reinstalling the operating system. Once you reformat it, everything will be gone, and the computer will be restored to factory settings.
The first step in the reformatting process is erasing the drive.
You can erase your computer by using the Disk Utility feature in any version of Mac OS.
Here’s how you do it.
- Turn your computer off entirely.
- Boot it up again by pressing and holding the power button, just like you would if you were starting it up for normal use.
- This time, however, you want to hold the command and R keys down simultaneously. Press and hold them as soon as you hit the power button.
- An Apple logo should appear on your screen. Once that appears, you can let go of the buttons.
- The Apple logo should be followed by a Mac OS X Utilities Menu with several different options. Select Disk Utility (it’s a little hard drive with a stethoscope) from the Menu and click Continue.
Screenshot via Macworl
- Once you enter the Disk Utility, you’ll have to select the drive you want to erase.
In this case, you’ll want to choose Macintosh HD to wipe the entire drive.
- Then, click the Erase button at the bottom of the window.
Note: The Erase option will only appear as a clickable button when the computer is booted up using the command + R keys. If you attempt to reformat your hard drive after starting your computer as you normally would, this option won’t be clickable.
- Once you click the Erase button, you’ll have the opportunity to choose from a range of different security options. The security options window contains a sliding bar that allows you to select the comprehensiveness of the erasure.
There are four different levels you can choose from, ranging from fastest to slowest. If you select the slowest option, you’ll erase the maximal amount of data. But, the process takes a little longer.
If you choose the fastest option, however, the process goes quite quickly. But, the data is not removed as thoroughly (and could be restored through a file recovery application).
- After you’ve determined the level at which you want to erase your computer, click Erase. The operating system will proceed with the erasing process.
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How to Secure Erase a Mac SSD
Newer MacBooks don’t have a traditional hard disk drive. Instead, they have a solid state drive or SSD.
Now, the process for wiping your solid state drive is the same as erasing a hard drive.
So, if you want to clean it, go ahead and follow the steps outlined in the section above.
It’s important to note, however, that erasing an SSD completely is not recommended.
Here’s why:
Solid state drives can only be rewritten a certain number of times. In other words, the more times you rewrite your drive, the worse it’s going to function.
So, even if you reformat your drive just once, you may notice that it functions slightly worse afterward.
Of course, there may be cases in which you have no choice but to erase your drive. If you’re getting rid of your Mac, for example, and you want to be sure that every tiny bit of data is wiped clean from it, then you’ll probably want to erase it.
But, if you’re erasing the entire thing with the intention of restoring it afterwards — don’t.
It’s going to do more harm than good. You can either erase as many files as possible on your own or take it to the Apple store directly (provided that it’s still under warranty) and ask them to help you with whatever problem you’re experiencing.
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Don’t know if your computer has a solid state drive or not?
Here’s how to figure it out:
- Press the F4 key on your keyboard (the one with the six little squares on it).
- Select the Other icon.
- Click the System Information icon.
- Select the ATA option from the Hardware drop-down menu on the left side of the window.
- A profile of your device should appear on the right-hand side of the window.
- Look for the row that reads “Model.” The corresponding product number should have either an HDD or an SSD in it.
These letters will let you know whether your device is equipped with a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD).
You should approach the erasure process accordingly.
Reinstall the Mac OS
The second half of the reformatting process is the reinstallation of the operating system.
When you erase your data, you also delete the OS that allows you to use the computer.
So, you’ve got to install it again if you want the computer to work.
Even if you’re selling the computer to someone else, it’s a nice courtesy to reinstall it beforehand so that they don’t have to do it themselves. After all, not everyone will be able to figure out how.
Here’s what you do:
- You’ll need internet access to do this. It’s going to be impossible otherwise, so make sure that the wifi connection is turned on.
- Boot the computer up by pressing the power button.
- Hold command + R, the same way you did when you erased your drive.
- Let go once the Apple logo appears.
- In the Mac OS Utilities Menu, select Reinstall MacOS.
- Click Continue.
- You may need to enter your Apple ID upon installation. Only do this if you intend to use the computer yourself. If you plan on selling it or handing it off to another person, you can end the process here.
- Once the installation is done, you’ll be free to start using your freshly-cleaned Mac.
FAQS
Can you reset a MacBook without losing data?
The only way to reset your computer without losing data is to back it up first. Once you’ve erased your hard drive, that data is gone.
You might be able to use a recovery app to restore your files if you ran a fast, low-level erasure. But most of the time, the data is completely cleared from the device.
Do you have to wipe a Mac’s hard drive before you sell it?
No law says you have to. But it’s smart. Unless you erase it (and erase it thoroughly), the next owner could get access to your files.
Can you erase your hard drive and keep the same programs?
Once you reinstall the OS, your computer will be loaded with all of the programs that come with that software. Any programs you installed on your own before erasing the drive will be gone.
Of course, if you’ve backed up your drive, you can reinstall them using Time Machine.
Can you wipe a Mac without the password?
No. To erase the hard drive, you’ll have to enter the owner’s Apple ID and password. Otherwise, you will not have the option to wipe the drive.
Can you install Windows on a Mac after you erase it?
Yes. You can use Boot Camp to install Windows on your Apple computer if you’d like to. Please note, however, that not all Apple products support Windows.
Wiping Your Hard Drive is Simple
Clearing the hard drive may seem confusing at first, especially for the average Mac user, but it’s not.
Just a few clicks and you’ll have your computer restored to factory settings in no time.
Always remember to back up your data.
Whether you’re using the computer again in the future or moving onto a new model, you’ll probably want to hold onto those files.
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The thing that I always want to see in my Mac is the Speedy Performance. To prevent the junkies from piling up and making the computer sluggish, I make sure to eliminate the unnecessary files on a regular basis. However, tracking down the useless files and removing them is a bit time-consuming. That’s why; I take the help of the most trusted Mac cleaning software to quickly get rid of the redundant files.
Have you found your Mac running at snail’s pace? It’s high time to track down all the unwanted files and shoot them out right away to not just recover some valuable storage but also speed up the computer. Aside from purging out the useless files, many of these tools can also play a pivotal role in providing the needed safeguard to your personal info.
#1. Daisy Disk
“Daisy Disk” has been one of the most reliable Mac storage cleaners for long. It provides a visual breakdown of your disk space, thereby making it a bit easier to spot the space wasters. Therefore, capturing and purging unwanted files becomes pretty straightforward.
One notable feature of this software is the ability to scan multiple disks not just accurately but also fast. With the integrated QuickLook features, it lets you easily preview file content.
Besides, you can use Daisy Disk in several languages including English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Russian, Simplified Chinese, and more.
Price: $9.99
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#2. CleanMyMac
“CleanMyMac” is second to none when it comes to wiping out the redundant files with ease. This software scans your entire system and suggests you clean up the files depending on their usability.
It also recommends you to delete all the useless contents related to an application. Hence, you don’t have to spend much time to track down what’s killing the storage.
With just a click, you can remove the entire unnecessary files including the large mail attachments, duplicate photos, cache, etc. and be able to recover plenty of valuable storage.
Price: Free
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#3. OS Cleaner Master
Having put my hands on “OS Cleaner Master” and used it to flush out the junk files with ease, I can tell that this Mac cleaner works well. The app allows you to track down the redundant data and lets you get rid of them fast.
Plus, you can use the OS Cleaner Master to keep an eye on the CPU, storage, and memory. Take advantage of the adware doctor to nab the adware and malware. Keep a close watch on the app information like its version and size.
Check out the crashed apps and also find out the firewall status. Besides, you have the option to upgrade this Mac cleaner to unlock several useful features like removing mail attachments, duplicate, and large files.
Price: Free
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#4. OnyX
No list of top Mac cleaning software would be complete without OnyX. It’s been a highly trusted and efficient tool for deleting the useless files and keeping the computer clutter-free.
You can use this tool to quickly nab all the problematic files and folders that need to be purged soon. Having given it a long spin, I can say that it can live up to the demand fairly well.
One notable feature of this software is the accuracy with which it unearths junkies. That means there is less chance for the clutters to survive!
Price: Free
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#5. Disk Inventory X
Disk Inventory X is a lightweight software but very efficient in getting rid of the unneeded files. It’s up to the mark in scanning the disk and displaying the usage in the treemap format.
Thus, you are able to have a close look at all the files and folders that are of no use. And once you have tracked down the less important files, deleting them all is dead simple. You will really appreciate its simplicity.
Price: Free
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#6. MacCleanse
With “MacCleanse”, you are looking at an all-in-one solution. This software works with high proficiency in erasing various types of files like caches, empty logs, cookies, web histories. You will be able to locate useless and old files and clear them immediately.
MacCleanse comes with a unique feature that lets you instantly find out the unnecessary contents from a respective app. The software also offers detailed information about each file it deletes. Furthermore, it claims to delete files with the US Department of Defense level security.
Price: $19.99
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#7. EaseUS CleanGenius
Retrieve the precious disk space by wiping out the large files. “EaseUS CleanGenius” can keep your Mac clutter-free and also boost its performance.
This cleaner app scans through the entire computer to find out the system logs, caches, along with all the files that are hogging tons of storage. You can navigate through the storage hogging files and remove the ones that are useless or need to be cleaned up.
The app also lets you get rid of browser plug-ins, extensions, and cookies. However, it keeps the browsing history, bookmarks, as well as the downloaded files.
Price: $9.99
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#8. CCleaner
CCleaner can work exceptionally well in reducing the clutter of your Mac and making it run smoothly. Apart from letting you get rid of junkies and unused files, the software can also help you quickly spot the storage hogging apps.
This tool offers you the desired flexibility to pick and choose exactly what you want to keep or remove. After you have discovered the unwanted files, eliminating them all will hardly take a click or two.
CCleaner also wipes out the browser history to safeguard your personal history. As a result, you will be able to safely browse the web.
The free version of the app comes with limitation and you have to buy its premium version (around $30) to use all the features.
Price: Free
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#9. App Cleaner & Uninstaller
App Cleaner & Uninstaller is a fully-featured Mac cleaning tool. The quality that makes it exceptionally user-friendly is the ability to spot all the temporary files and leftovers of the apps you have already deleted. Thus, you are able to wipe out all the useless data that has cluttered the device or threatening to do so.
You can preview all the installed apps and extensions and be able to quickly remove the ones that are no longer needed. Check out login items and remove them if they are of no use.
Turn off launch agents and startup items to expedite the speed of the device. Furthermore, you can use it to take control of all of your files and optimize your Mac’s performance to run smoothly.
Price: Free/$19.90
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Best Mac Hard Drive Cleaner
And that’s it, folks!
What’s your favorite cleaning tool?
Best Mac Cleaner App
Assuming you have found the right storage cleaner for your macOS device? Which one is it and what are the qualities you have found appreciable in it? It would be great to know your feedback in the comments.
You might want to refer these posts as well:
Free Microsoft Hard Drive Cleaner
Jignesh Padhiyar is the co-founder of iGeeksBlog.com who has a keen eye for news, rumors and all the unusual stuff that happens around Apple products. During his tight schedule, Jignesh finds some moments of respite to share side-splitting contents on social media.
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