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Resetting your computer

J

JustHereforHelp69

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 9, 2018
27
12
I want reformat my computer, I have a 2023 Macbook Pro, I could do the erase option through system settings but I found out about this feature after I went through the process of setting up a bootable drive of Sequoia. I have figured out how to get to the recovery OS and the disk utility, but is this advisable with these newer macbook? I dont want to cause more issues than solve.

Cheers
 
Apple_Robert said:
All you need to do is go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase all content and Settings. That will remove all your personal files as well as your use settings and restore the computer to a fresh, new state. You don't need a bootable drive.
Click to expand...
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe that quite fully restores the computer to a pristine state, because while it wipes the user data, it doesn't install a fresh copy of the OS. On a couple of occasions I've have issues with my Mac that have been solved purely by reinstaling the OS. Given that the OP is going to the trouble to start fresh, I'd advise them to reinstall the OS as well.

And while probably not of relevance to the OP, I'll note this as a point of interest: Generally speaking, MDM (mobile device management) software, which businesses install on company-owned machines, cannot be removed by the user, even if they completely wipe the disk and reinstall the OS. I don't know how it works; perhaps it's installed on a hidden partition to which the user doesn't have access. It can only be removed by the company that installed it (or the company that makes the software).
 
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theorist9 said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe that quite fully restores the computer to a pristine state, because while it wipes the user data, it doesn't install a fresh copy of the OS. On a couple of occasions I've have issues with my Mac that have been solved purely by reinstaling the OS. Given that the OP is going to the trouble to start fresh, I'd advise them to reinstall the OS as well.

And while probably not of relevance to the OP, I'll note this as a point of interest: Generally speaking, MDM (mobile device management) software, which businesses install on company-owned machines, cannot be removed by the user, even if they completely wipe the disk and reinstall the OS. I don't know how it works; perhaps it's installed on a hidden partition to which the user doesn't have access. It can only be removed by the company that installed it (or the company that makes the software).
Click to expand...
If the OP had Malware, doing what I suggested would remove the problem, because the OS volume is sealed and no user involved files get written to it. As such, going to the trouble to forgo the Apple suggested method I mentioned, and resort to a fresh install as you suggest when the OP didn’t speak of any special problem, would be a waste of time and purely placebo, in my opinion.

There was also no need to mention the MDM aspect as that doesn’t apply here.
 
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Apple_Robert said:
If the OP had Malware, doing what I suggested would remove the problem, because the OS volume is sealed and no user involved files get written to it. As such, going to the trouble to forgo the Apple suggested method I mentioned, and resort to a fresh install as you suggest when the didn’t speak of any special problem, would be a waste of time and purely placebo, in my opinion.

There was also no need to mention the MDM aspect as that doesn’t apply here.
Click to expand...
OP doesn't know there is malware. Further, malware is relatively rare on Macs, but software issues that can be fixed by an OS reinstall are not.

Thus if someone wants to fully start clean, I believe it makes sense to let them know about restoring the OS, and leave them to decide if they want to include that step as part of their cleanup. And I wasn't suggesting they forego your procedure. That would still be needed. I was just giving them the option of doing an OS reinstall as an added step.

The part about MDM was meant for the general reader (many read these threads beside the OP), to let them know there is an important exception to the idea that users can always erase the computer to a "new, pristine state", even with admin privileges. I think many who read these threads are technically inclined, and appreciate the additional technical info. Note also that MDM software isn't a corner case; it's quite common.

Ultimately this is a stylistic difference. Your approach to providing info. is perfectly fine, and mine is a well. The readers benefit from seeing both.
 
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Apple_Robert is correct. There’s no need or benefit in (trying to) reinstall(ing) macOS on an Apple Silicon Mac. It’s more likely to lead to additional issues.

About the read-only system volume in macOS Catalina or later - Apple Support

macOS Catalina or later runs in a read-only system volume, separate from other files on your Mac. When you upgrade to macOS Catalina or later, a second volume is created, and some files may move to a Relocated Items folder.
support.apple.com support.apple.com

Signed system volume security

SSV not only helps prevent tampering with any Apple software that’s part of the operating system, it also makes macOS software update more reliable and much safer.
support.apple.com

Just do (as mentioned earlier):

Erase your Mac and reset it to factory settings - Apple Support

Use Erase All Content and Settings to quickly and securely erase all of your settings, data, and apps, while maintaining the operating system currently installed.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
 
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MacCheetah3 said:
Apple_Robert is correct. There’s no need or benefit in (trying to) reinstall(ing) macOS on an Apple Silicon Mac.
Click to expand...
I had an issue with my Mac (2019 iMac), and Apple Support recommended an OS reinstallation, which fixed the problem. It wasn't an AS Mac, but rather an Intel Mac running Monterey but, like the AS Macs, it also has an SSV. Is there something fundamentally different between the SSV on an AS/T2 Mac and a non-T2 Mac, such that a procedure recommended for the latter woud never benefit the former?
 
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The statement missing in this thread As referenced in post#8 above, the SSV on Silicon Macs is extremely thoroughly checked on every boot and if one bit is wrong the Mac will not boot. Further info in this article. If there was malware on the SSV it would fail this verification and prevent it booting. However there could be malware on the machine, but it could only exist on the -Data volume not the SSV, so will be eliminated by Erase All Content and Settings.

The only time you must use a bootable installer to erase the SSV and reinstall is if you want to downgrade the OS to an earlier version.

I don't know much about MDM but my understanding is that Erase All Content and Settings would remove any local software from the Mac, but it might be restored after activating and signing in if the Mac was subject to an MDM.
 
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theorist9 said:
On a couple of occasions I've have issues with my Mac that have been solved purely by reinstaling the OS.
Click to expand...
As said, the OS is the only thing you can be sure doesn't need reinstalling. However, reinstalling the OS will perform ancillary tasks, like clearing caches, deleting temp files -- and of course rebooting! -- and it's more likely that one of these tasks will improve any problems, rather than replacing the system files with identical copies of themselves.

The overwhelming majority of problems are caused by third-party software that is out-of-date or buggy; corrupt cached data; incorrect or badly parsed pref files -- in short, everything added to the Data volume by the user.

AS and T2 Macs have the secure enclave, which is where stuff like Touch ID fingerprints and the disk encryption keys go; so yes, they are fundamentally different from older Macs.
 
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tonmischa said:
1st (highly recommended) option:
As all the others have correctly mentioned: "Delete all content and settings".

For the sake of honesty, there is a 2nd option:
it includes the use of a 2nd Mac, the "Apple Configurator", and an .ipsw file.
https://mrmacintosh.com/apple-silicon-m1-full-macos-restore-ipsw-firmware-files-database/

BUT:
The end result is the same!
So i highly recommend sticking with Option 1.
Click to expand...

Yes indeed. The difference is that the Apple Configurator method also replaces the firmware and hidden partitions, iBoot etc. If you want to roll-back to an earlier macOS and you use a bootable USB it will leave the firmware and hidden stuff at the current versions, which is not a problem as they are backwards compatible. If you especially want to roll back the firmware and hidden you would have to use Apple Configurator.

I have been forced to used Apple Configurator once after making my Mac unbootable after deleting the wrong things in Disk Utility (have to delete the Volume Pair, not erase the whole physical drive). Another reason to use Erase All Content and Settings...it avoids such dangers.
 
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OP:

Try "erase all content and settings" first.

Then either
- restore from your backup
or...
- rebuild "from the ground up".

If THAT doesn't work, THEN it's time to try a more radical option
or...
Take it to the Apple Store genius bar.

One other thing:
What leads you to suspect there is malware?
Have you tried download and running "MalwareBytes" ??
It's free.
 
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MacCheetah3 said:
The first paragraph:

Erase and reinstall macOS

Erase your Mac, then use macOS Recovery to reinstall macOS.
support.apple.com

Just sayin’ :)
Click to expand...
Yeah I've seen that, but the statement is incomplete. Apple often oversimplifies things in their support articles. Here's a more complete statement from Apple, indicating the admonition against doing an OS reinstall on Apple Silicon was not meant generally, but only for those planning to transfer their Macs:

1739316688948.png


Further they explicitly add:
1739316945448.png

Just sayin’ :)

Source: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac...licon-mchl82829c17/15.0/mac/15.0#mchl57249f89
 
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