How to factory reset iMac 2019?

 

If you’re looking to give your 2017 iMac a clean slate, a factory reset is the way to go. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of restoring your iMac to its original settings, ensuring it’s optimized and ready for a fresh start.

Unleash the full potential of your iMac 2019 with a magical factory reset!

Performing a factory reset on your 2019 iMac involves erasing all data and settings to return it to its original, out-of-the-box state. Follow these detailed steps:

Before you Begin: Backup Your Data Before initiating a factory reset, it’s crucial to back up all your important files. You can use Time Machine to create a comprehensive backup on an external hard drive or use a cloud-based service to ensure your data is safe and accessible after the reset.

Step 1: Sign Out of Your Accounts Go to the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, select “System Preferences,” and then choose “Apple ID.” Sign out of your Apple ID and iCloud account to disassociate your iMac from these services.

Step 2: Deauthorize iTunes Open iTunes, go to the “Account” menu, and select “Authorizations.” Choose “Deauthorize This Computer” and enter your Apple ID credentials to remove your iMac from the list of authorized devices.

Step 3: Access macOS Recovery Restart your iMac and hold down the “Command” and “R” keys simultaneously until the Apple logo appears. This will boot your iMac into macOS Recovery mode.

Step 4: Use Disk Utility to Erase the Hard Drive From the macOS Utilities menu, select “Disk Utility.” Locate your internal hard drive, often named “Macintosh HD,” in the left sidebar. Select your hard drive and click “Erase” at the top of the Disk Utility window. Choose “APFS” or “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)” as the format type and give your drive a name. Click “Erase” to begin the process.

Step 5: Reinstall macOS After erasing the hard drive, exit Disk Utility and select “Reinstall macOS” from the macOS Utilities menu. Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall macOS on your iMac.

Step 6: Complete Setup Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the initial setup of your iMac. This includes selecting your language, region, Wi-Fi network, and creating a new user account.

By following these steps, your 2019 iMac will be reset to its factory settings, providing you with a clean slate to start afresh. Remember, this process permanently erases all data, so ensure you’ve backed up everything important beforehand.

What keys should I use to access macOS Recovery during startup?

To access macOS Recovery during startup on an Intel-based Mac, including your 2019 iMac, you’ll need to hold down a specific key combination. When you power on or restart your iMac, immediately press and hold both the “Command” and “R” keys on your keyboard. Keep these keys held down until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe on your screen. This indicates that your iMac is booting into macOS Recovery mode. Once you’re in macOS Recovery, you’ll have access to essential utilities and options to perform tasks like erasing the hard drive, reinstalling macOS, or restoring from backups.

While in macOS Recovery, it’s important to have certain resources available. If you plan to reinstall macOS, ensure you have a stable internet connection, as this may be required to download the necessary files. If you’ve backed up your valuable files to an external drive, have it connected so you can easily restore your personal data after the reset. Additionally, you may be prompted for your admin password at various points, especially when performing tasks that require elevated permissions, like erasing the internal hard drive. This is a crucial step in initiating the factory reset process on your 2019 iMac.

Are there any specific settings or options I should be aware of during the reinstallation process?

During the reinstallation process on your 2019 iMac, it’s important to be mindful of several key settings and options. Firstly, ensure you have a stable internet connection throughout the process, especially if you’re reinstalling macOS from the internet. This ensures a smooth and uninterrupted download of the necessary files. Keep your admin password readily available, as you may be prompted to enter it at various points during the installation process, particularly when making system-level changes. Additionally, verify that your startup disk is correctly selected. You can do this by going to the Apple menu and selecting “System Preferences,” then “Startup Disk.” Ensure your internal hard drive is chosen as the startup disk, as this is where the reinstallation will take place.

If you’re using an external drive as a bootable device for the reinstallation, make sure it’s connected and recognized by your iMac. This could be an external hard drive with a bootable macOS installer, or a bootable USB drive. If you have valuable files backed up on an external drive, have it connected and accessible so you can easily restore your personal data after the reinstallation is complete. Additionally, take a moment to review any custom settings or configurations you had in place before the factory reset. This might include preferences for system-wide settings, application configurations, or specific user account preferences. Being aware of these settings ensures that you can efficiently restore your iMac to its desired state after the reinstallation process is complete.

What information do I need to provide during the initial setup process after a factory reset on macOS?

During the initial setup process after a factory reset on macOS, you’ll be prompted to provide crucial information to configure your iMac to your preferences. Begin by selecting your preferred language and region, ensuring that the system displays information in a way that’s most comfortable for you. You’ll also be asked to connect to a Wi-Fi network. A stable internet connection is essential for tasks like setting up an Apple ID, downloading updates, and accessing online services. Ensure you have your Wi-Fi credentials at hand for a seamless setup. If you used an external drive or a bootable USB drive as a startup disk for the factory reset, ensure it’s connected at this stage to facilitate the installation process.

Next, you’ll be prompted to transfer data from a backup source. If you’ve previously backed up your valuable files to an external drive or through a cloud service, now is the time to retrieve them. This step is crucial for ensuring you have access to your personal files after the reset. You’ll also need to sign in with your Apple ID, which grants you access to services like iCloud, the App Store, and more. Have your Apple ID and password on hand to seamlessly integrate your account with the newly reset iMac. Lastly, you’ll be prompted to create a new user account. This admin account allows you to manage system settings and install applications. Be sure to select a strong password and hint for added security. By providing this information during the initial setup, you’re customizing your iMac to meet your specific preferences and needs after the factory reset.