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How can I erase everything off a Mac Retina that won't reset?

My sister just gifted me her Mac retina. She tried to factory reset it. I also have tried and nothings worked. When I go to reset it, it will say that erasing the data/resetting it isn’t supported. Does anyone know how I can erase everything off this computer?


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook, macOS 13.6

Posted on Jul 29, 2024 8:26 PM

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2 replies

Jul 29, 2024 8:52 PM in response to Randomname___24

Randomname___24 Said:

"Factory Reset 2017 Mac Retina : My sister just gifted me her Mac retina. She tried to factory reset it. I also have tried and nothings worked. When I go to reset it, it will say that erasing the data/resetting it isn’t supported. Does anyone know how I can erase everything off this computer?"

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Factory Resetting a Mac:

Use this Link, as if you were to Sell it: What to do Before you Sell, Give Away, or Trade in your Mac - Apple Support. Perform as instructed, including the iClout logout. It wont be wise to create a Time Machine Backup of you Mac, prior to resetting his to Factory Settings, as you'd have a way to restore you Mac, should something go wrong.


Use a USB Bottle Installer:

The earliest you can go in today's world is El Capitan. So, see if creating a USB Bootable installer does the trick: Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

Jul 29, 2024 10:05 PM in response to Randomname___24

Randomname___24 Said:

"How can I erase everything off a Mac Retina that won't reset?: My sister just gifted me her Mac retina. She tried to factory reset it. I also have tried and nothings worked. When I go to reset it, it will say that erasing the data/resetting it isn’t supported. Does anyone know how I can erase everything off this computer?"

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Resetting to Factory Settings:

She needs to log out of iCloud on this. So, boot up normally and then have her log out. From there, backup the Mac. Then, use this mink, as if you were to sell it: What to do Before you Sell, Give Away, or Trade in your Mac - Apple Support.


IMPORTANT:

Back up this Mac prior to making these changes to it. In doing so, she will have something to restore store her Mac from, should anything go wrong with the logout..

How can I erase everything off a Mac Retina that won't reset?

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