How to Factory Reset iMac Monterey

 

Starting Fresh: Discover the simple steps to perform a factory reset on your iMac running Monterey, restoring it to its original settings and resolving various issues.

macOS Monterey

macOS Monterey introduces a range of exciting features that enhance productivity, connectivity, and user experience. One of the standout features is Universal Control, enabling seamless control and multi-device interaction across a Mac and an iPad with a single keyboard and mouse/trackpad. This innovative feature lets users drag and drop files between devices and even use the iPad as a secondary display.

Live Text is another significant addition, allowing users to interact with text within images and photos. You can now select, copy, paste, look up, or translate text directly from pictures, making information extraction more intuitive. Focus Mode empowers users to customize their device experience based on their current activity or location, reducing distractions by filtering notifications and tailoring app availability.

AirPlay to Mac extends the convenience of AirPlay from iOS devices to macOS, enabling wireless streaming of content like videos, photos, and presentations from an iPhone or iPad to a Mac’s larger screen. Improvements to FaceTime include spatial audio, voice isolation, and Wide Spectrum audio modes for a more immersive and natural conversation experience. Safari gets a redesign, featuring a new streamlined tab bar and a more organized browsing experience. These features, along with enhancements to privacy controls, the redesigned Notification Center, and the interactive SharePlay feature for shared media experiences during FaceTime calls, collectively make macOS Monterey a feature-rich and dynamic update.

Factory reset iMac Monterey: Step-by-step guide

Performing a factory reset on your iMac running macOS Monterey is a comprehensive process that involves erasing all data and restoring the system to its original settings. Follow these steps to execute a factory reset:

1. Backup Important Data:

• Before proceeding, back up all your essential files, documents, and data. You can use Time Machine or manually transfer your files to an external storage device.

2. Log out of your accounts

• Sign out of all your accounts, including iCloud, iTunes, and iMessage. This ensures that your personal information is disassociated from the device.

3. Internet Connection:

• Ensure your iMac is connected to the internet via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

4. Restart and Enter Recovery Mode:

• Restart your iMac. As it restarts, hold down the “Option” key until you see the Startup Manager. Choose the “Options” menu and then “Continue.”

5. Choose “Disk Utility”:

• In the macOS Utilities window, select “Disk Utility” and click “Continue.”

6. Erase the Drive:

• In Disk Utility, choose your startup disk and click “Erase.” Select a suitable format like “APFS” or “Mac OS Extended (Journaled),” then click “Erase” to wipe the drive.

7. Exit Disk Utility:

• Close Disk Utility to return to the macOS Utilities window.

8. Reinstall macOS:

• Select “Reinstall macOS” and click “Continue.” Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall Monterey on your iMac.

9. Set Up macOS:

• After the installation, your iMac will restart and guide you through the initial setup process, similar to when you first purchased the device.

10. Restore Data:

• During setup, you’ll have the option to restore your data from a Time Machine backup or other sources if needed.

11. Complete Setup:

• Follow the setup prompts, create a user account, and configure your preferences.

After completing these steps, your iMac running Monterey will be reset to its factory settings. Keep in mind that a factory reset permanently deletes all data on the device, so make sure you’ve backed up everything you want to keep. This process can be useful if you’re encountering persistent issues or if you’re preparing to sell or give away your iMac.

Retrieve data from a Mac that was unintentionally reset

It’s undeniable that a Mac factory reset can be a major setback for any user, leading to the potential loss of important files and documents. The tormenting thought of losing those precious files due to an accidental reset is enough to scare anyone. But did you know that data recovery tools exist specifically designed for recovering your files? It’s true – with the right software, users can easily recover all their lost data from a Mac factory reset.

One such software is Wondershare Recover it for Mac. This unique tool is capable of retrieving deleted or disappeared files from a factory reset. It utilizes powerful AI algorithms to scan both internal as well as external storage devices and then displays the results in just a few simple clicks. With this software, users no longer have to worry about their precious data going missing due to a system reinstall or factory restore-related issues. In addition, it provides deep scanning options so users can safely and effectively recover lost or damaged files without causing any further damage to existing hard drive partitions. Best of all, its user-friendly interface allows anyone, even those with little prior knowledge of computer hardware, get excellent results after using this amazing program.

Reset NVRAM on iMac?

Resetting the NVRAM (non-volatile random-access memory) on your iMac can help resolve certain hardware-related issues, restore default settings, and enhance system stability. NVRAM stores settings such as display resolution, startup disk selection, speaker volume, and time zone. If you’re encountering problems with these settings or facing issues like display glitches or sound problems, resetting the NVRAM might offer a solution.

To reset the NVRAM on your iMac, follow these steps:

1. Turn off your iMac.
2. Turn it on and immediately press and hold the Option + Command + P + R keys simultaneously.
3. Keep holding the keys for about 20 seconds.
4. Release the keys and let your iMac restart.

The NVRAM has now been reset, and your iMac should boot up normally. However, remember that this process will also reset some other user settings, like time zone and startup disk selection, so you may need to adjust these preferences again after the reset. If you’re still experiencing issues after resetting the NVRAM, it might be worth considering other troubleshooting steps or seeking technical assistance.

how to backup iMac after resetting?

After performing a reset on your iMac, whether it’s a factory reset or just a reset of NVRAM, it’s essential to back up your data to prevent any potential loss. Here’s how you can back up your iMac after resetting:

1. Use Time Machine Backup: If you had previously set up Time Machine, you’re in luck. Connect your external hard drive or Time Capsule, and Time Machine should automatically recognize the iMac. It will prompt you to start the backup process. If it doesn’t, you can manually initiate a backup by clicking the Time Machine icon in the menu bar and selecting “Back Up Now.” This will ensure all your data, applications, and settings are backed up to the external drive.

2. Manually Backup Important Data: If you don’t use Time Machine or want to ensure extra safety, you can manually copy important files to an external storage device. Plug in an external hard drive or use cloud storage solutions like iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox. Locate your critical files, documents, photos, and any other data you want to preserve, then copy and paste them to the external drive or upload them to the cloud. Organize the data into folders for easy access later. Once the backup process is complete, you’ll have a copy of your essential files, ensuring you can easily restore them if needed.

Backing up your iMac after a reset is essential to ensure you have a copy of your data in case anything goes wrong during the reset process or if you need to restore your system to a previous state. It’s a proactive step to safeguard your valuable information and maintain peace of mind.

Instructions for erasing a Mac with M1/M2 or T2 chip

For those with an M1/M2 Mac or a T2 chip on their computer, the new Erase All Content and Settings option in macOS Monterey makes wiping your Mac easy. With just a few clicks, you can erase everything from Touch ID fingerprints to any applications installed on the Mac. It will also log you out of your Apple ID, disable Find My and Activation Lock, and unpair any Bluetooth devices. Plus, all the accounts and volumes on the Mac alongside their accompanying data will be removed as well.

Before starting this process, take note which version of macOS you are using first. This is so that you can follow the right steps accordingly to ensure that the erasing process goes smoothly without any hiccups. Keep in mind too, that if you share the Mac with another user then it’s best to back up their stuff before beginning this task to avoid losing non-recoverable data in case something goes wrong along the way.

Reinstall macOS Monterey

Reinstalling macOS Monterey is easy and straightforward. To do so, simply select Reinstall macOS Monterey from the macOS Recovery menu after erasing your Mac. This will open up a dialog box that lets you continue with the process. After agreeing to the license terms, it’s just a matter of pressing a few more buttons before you can sit back and wait for the process to finish.

The installer will guide you through all steps of the installation process, including setting language preferences, creating a user account, setting up Time Machine backups and connecting to your network if necessary. Once complete, you can start using your Mac as normal – ready to get on with life in state-of-the-art style thanks to the incredible features of macOS Monterey. The only thing left to decide now is what apps and programs you want to download on top!

Conclusion

In conclusion, to factory reset an iMac running macOS Monterey, you should first use Time Machine or manually back up any important data. Discover the magic of the System Preferences menu and unleash its power with a simple click on the captivating “Erase All Content and Settings” option. Once that is complete, you will be able to reinstall macOS Monterey.