How to Perform a Factory Reset on MacBook Air [Both Manual and Automatic Methods]

When to Perform a Factory Reset on MacBook Air

Have you noticed a recent decrease in the performance of your MacBook Air? Are you planning to sell your MacBook Air? If so, you'll need to perform a factory reset on your MacBook Air.

If your MacBook Air is performing slowly, you can perform a factory reset on MacBook Air. Additionally, if you plan to sell your device and want to ensure no personal information is transferred, you can erase all content and settings on your MacBook Air. This will remove the existing data and guarantee that the new user receives a clean slate. If you're selling your MacBook Air, you might consider performing a factory reset on MacBook Air without a password.

Before performing a factory reset on your MacBook Air, it's crucial to back up your Mac beforehand. You can use data recovery software tools to backup and restore data on your MacBook Air:

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Protect Your Mac Data with Backup

Backup and restore your MacBook/iMac easily without using Time Machine, iCloud, or external hard drives.

To assist your understanding further, we have also included a video:

• 00:13 Turn off the MacBook Air
• 00:28 Boot into macOS Recovery mode
• 00:55 Choose Erase to erase the hard drive
• 01:23 Reinstall macOS

Could you please translate it into English?

Method 1: Automatically Reset MacBook Air to Factory Settings

There are two distinct methods to perform a factory reset on your MacBook Air. One approach is through the macOS Erase Assistant.

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Step 1. Click on the Apple Menu and choose System Settings.

Step 2. From the left-hand sidebar, click on "General," then select the "Transfer or Reset" option from the right-hand sidebar.

Step 3. Tap on "Erase All Content and Settings." Enter the administrator credentials when prompted. Proceed to log in to the device using your password. Confirm by clicking "OK."

Step 4. If you wish to back up your data, you can use Time Machine. Select "Continue." This process will erase your settings, media, and data. If prompted, sign out and enter your Apple ID password again.

Step 5. Choose Erase All Content and Settings.

Note: These instructions apply to macOS Monterey and Ventura. If you are using macOS Big Sur or an earlier version, you should update your macOS base system.

Translate into English.

Method 2: How to Perform a Manual Factory Reset on MacBook Air

Aside from the aforementioned method, you can also perform a manual factory reset on your MacBook Air.

Things You Need to Do Before Factory Reset MacBook Air

Before resetting your MacBook, there are several steps you should take. Let's examine them closely:

1. Backup Data Before Performing a MacBook Air Factory Reset

Backing up your data is utterly crucial before resetting your MacBook Air. This ensures the safety of your valuable information. To do this, you can utilize Time Machine.

2. Sign Out of iMessage on Your MacBook Air

Here are the steps you need to follow to sign out of iMessage:

Step 1. Open the Messages app. Select Messages. Proceed to Settings.

Step 2. Click on the icon with an @ symbol and iMessage on it. Choose "Sign Out."

3. Sign Out of iCloud on Your MacBook Air

Here are the steps you need to follow to sign out of iCloud: 1. **Open Settings**: First, open the "Settings" app on your Apple device. You can find it on your home screen, represented by a gray gear icon. 2. **Tap on Your Name**: At the top of the Settings screen, tap on your name, which is usually displayed under the "Apple ID" header. 3. **Select "iCloud"**: In the next screen, scroll down and tap on "iCloud". 4. **Choose Services to Disable (Optional)**: If you want to sign out of specific iCloud services without signing out of everything, tap on the service you wish to disable, then toggle the switch next to it to turn off the service. 5. **Tap "Sign Out" or "Delete from My [Device]"**: To completely sign out of iCloud, scroll to the bottom of the iCloud settings screen, and tap on "Sign Out" or "Delete from My [Device]". A confirmation prompt may appear, asking you to confirm your action. 6. **Enter Password and/or Verify**: You might be asked to enter your Apple ID password for security purposes. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you might also need to verify your identity using a trusted device or receive a verification code. 7. **Review Data**: Before signing out, you'll be shown a list of data that will be removed from your device when you sign out of iCloud. Make sure you don't lose any important information. 8. **Confirm Sign Out**: Once you've reviewed the data, tap "Turn Off" or "Sign Out" to proceed with the sign-out process. After completing these steps, you'll be signed out of iCloud on your device. Remember that signing out of iCloud will also log you out of other iCloud-connected apps like Mail, Calendar, and Photos.

Step 1. Go to System Preferences. Click on Apple ID.

Step 2. Scroll down and click on "Sign Out." This will help you log out of your iCloud account.

4. How to Log Out of iTunes on MacBook Air

Follow these steps to learn how to log out of iTunes on your MacBook Air:

Step 1. Open the Music app.

Step 2. Click on "Account" and from the dropdown menu, choose "Sign Out." Then, select "Authorizations."

5. How to Unpair Bluetooth Devices Before a Factory Reset on MacBook Air

Here are the steps you need to follow to unpair Bluetooth devices: 1. **Access Bluetooth Settings**: First, open the Bluetooth settings on your device. This can typically be done by either swiping down from the top of the screen (on most smartphones and tablets) or by going to the system settings menu. 2. **Discoverable Mode**: Ensure that your device's Bluetooth is turned on and set to discoverable mode. This allows other devices to find it during the unpairing process. 3. **View Paired Devices**: Locate the list of paired devices in the Bluetooth settings. This may be labeled as "Paired Devices," "Connected Devices," or something similar. 4. **Select Device to Unpair**: Find the device you want to unpair from the list and tap on it. Depending on the device, you might need to tap on an "Options" or "Menu" button next to the device name. 5. **Unpair/Forget Device**: Once you've selected the device, look for an option like "Unpair," "Remove," "Forget This Device," or "Disconnect." Tap on this option to initiate the unpairing process. 6. **Confirm Unpairing**: Your device will likely prompt you to confirm the unpairing action. Read the prompt carefully, and if you're sure you want to unpair the device, tap "Yes," "OK," or the equivalent button. 7. **Device Unpaired**: After confirming, the Bluetooth device should now be successfully unpaired from your device. It will no longer appear in the paired devices list. 8. **Repeat for Additional Devices**: If you need to unpair multiple devices, repeat steps 4 through 7 for each device. Remember that unpairing a device doesn't necessarily turn off its Bluetooth. If you want to disable Bluetooth completely, return to the main Bluetooth settings screen and toggle the Bluetooth switch off.

Step 1. Go to System Settings.

Step 2. Select "Bluetooth" from the left-hand sidebar.

Step 3. On the right-hand side under "My Devices," hover your mouse over the paired Bluetooth devices. Click the "X" button.

Step 4. Unpair all devices from your MacBook.

How to Perform a Factory Reset on MacBook Air in Recovery Mode

To factory reset your MacBook Air in Recovery Mode, follow these steps, and you can perform a factory reset on your Mac without a password using this method.

Step 1. Click on the Apple logo and select "Shut Down."

Step 2. Turn on the system.

Step 3. Next, press and hold the Command and R keys together until you see the Apple logo.

Step 4. Proceed to the macOS Utilities window. From there, choose Disk Utility for Mac. Click "Continue".

Step 5. Next, click on the internal disk or startup disk. Choose "Erase" from the top of the window.

Step 6. You can assign a name to the disk and select the format as APFS. Choose "Erase Volume Group." This will erase the drive.

Step 7. Following this, you will be taken to the utility window. At this point, you should click on "Reinstall macOS."

Step 8. Once that's done, follow the on-screen instructions. The macOS installation should be complete by now. When the Setup Assistant opens, exit it.

Step 9. Turn off the system.

Translation into English:

Recovering Lost Data with Software After a MacBook Air Factory Reset

Have you experienced data loss after performing a factory reset on your MacBook Air? If you didn't back up your data, there's a possibility that you've lost important files. In such a situation, you'll need to rely on a trustworthy recovery solution. For this purpose, you can explore the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac tool.

1. Recover data in cases of deletion without backup, malware attacks, hardware failures, formatting during macOS updates, system crashes, accidental errors, and sudden shutdowns. It also enables Mac Trash recovery from an emptied Mac Trash. 2. Restore various types of data, including music files, photos, emails, videos, documents, and more. 3. Retrieve deleted files on Mac from devices like Time Machine backup drives, memory cards, fusion drives, HDD, USB drives, SSD, cameras, and so on.

想知道如何使用Mac数据恢复向导吗？只需按照以下简单步骤操作即可：

Step 1. Search for missing files

Select the disk location to search for lost files (this can be an internal HDD/SSD or an external hard drive) where you experienced data and file loss. Click the "Search for lost files" button.

Note: Before proceeding with data recovery, it's highly recommended to click "Disk Backup" from the left sidebar to create a backup of your HDD/SSD to prevent any potential further data loss. Once the backup is done, the software can restore data from the backup, and you can continue using your HDD or SSD.

Step 2. Review the scanning results

This software will immediately scan your selected disk volume and display pictures, documents, audio, videos, and emails on the left pane.

Step 3. Select the file(s) and recover

Click on the data to preview it, and then hit the "Recover" button to restore them.

底线，最终结论

Performing a factory reset on a MacBook Air is occasionally essential. Whether you're planning to sell the device or seeking to enhance its performance, this process can be a useful step. There are two distinct methods for resetting your MacBook Air: using the Erase Assistant or manually through the Recovery mode.

However, if you're not cautious, you might end up losing valuable data. It's recommended to back up your data before choosing a factory reset. If you do experience data loss, consider using professional data recovery software. Need the best data recovery tool? Give Data Recovery Wizard for Mac a try today!

Factory Reset MacBook Air FAQs 1. What is a factory reset? A factory reset, also known as a system restore, is the process of returning your MacBook Air to its original state, just like when it was brand new out of the box. This involves erasing all data, settings, and applications, and reinstalling the operating system. 2. Why would I need to factory reset my MacBook Air? You might need to perform a factory reset in several situations, such as: - Selling or giving away your device - Experiencing severe software issues that cannot be resolved - Wanting to start fresh after a malware infection - Encountering slow performance or frequent crashes 3. How do I backup my data before resetting? Before resetting, it's crucial to back up your important files, documents, photos, and other data. You can use Time Machine, an external hard drive, or cloud services like iCloud or Google Drive to store your backups. 4. Can I reset my MacBook Air without the password? If you've forgotten your login password, you can still reset your MacBook Air using Recovery Mode. Press and hold the Command + R keys while starting your device to enter Recovery Mode, where you can reinstall the operating system without needing the password. 5. Will a factory reset remove Activation Lock? No, a factory reset will not remove Activation Lock. If your MacBook Air has Activation Lock enabled, you'll need the Apple ID and password associated with the device to reactivate it after the reset. 6. How long does a factory reset take? The time for a factory reset varies depending on the speed of your MacBook Air and the size of your data. It typically takes around 1-2 hours, but it could be longer if you have a large amount of data to erase. 7. Will a factory reset delete all apps? Yes, a factory reset will delete all third-party applications along with your personal data, settings, and system preferences. 8. Can I restore from a backup after a reset? Yes, once your MacBook Air has been reset and the operating system reinstalled, you can restore your data from a previous backup using Time Machine or other backup methods. 9. Will a factory reset affect my warranty? No, performing a factory reset on your MacBook Air will not void the warranty, as long as you're not tampering with any hardware components. 10. Is there a risk of losing important files during the reset process? If you don't backup your data before resetting, there is a high risk of losing important files. Always ensure you have a backup in place to avoid data loss.

Want to learn more about Factory Resetting your MacBook Air? Check out the following questions and answers: 1. **What is a Factory Reset?** A factory reset, also known as a system restore, is the process of erasing all data, settings, and applications from your MacBook Air and returning it to its original state, just like when it was brand new out of the box. 2. **Why would I need to Factory Reset my MacBook Air?** You might need to factory reset your MacBook Air if you're planning to sell it, experiencing severe performance issues, encountering software bugs, or wanting to start fresh with a clean installation of macOS. 3. **How do I backup my data before resetting?** Before proceeding, it's crucial to backup your important files. Connect an external hard drive or use Time Machine to create a backup. Alternatively, you can manually copy essential files to a separate storage device or cloud service. 4. **How to Factory Reset MacBook Air with macOS Mojave or later?** - Shut down your MacBook Air. - Press and hold the Command + R keys while turning it on until you see the Apple logo. - Select "Disk Utility" from the Utilities menu. - Choose your startup disk, then click "Erase." - Format the disk with the APFS (MacOS Extended for older versions) format and give it a name. - Close Disk Utility and select "Reinstall macOS" from the Utilities menu. - Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall the operating system. 5. **How to Factory Reset MacBook Air with macOS High Sierra or earlier?** - Shut down your MacBook Air. - Press and hold the Command + Option + P + R keys simultaneously while turning it on. - Release the keys when you hear the startup sound for the second time. - Go to "Utilities" > "Terminal." - Type "diskutil list" to identify your main hard drive. - Type "sudo diskutil eraseDisk APFS [Volume Name] /dev/diskX" (replace X with the identified disk number and Volume Name with your preference). - Confirm the action with "yes." - Restart your MacBook Air and reinstall macOS from the Recovery Partition. 6. **Will I lose all my data during a Factory Reset?** Yes, a factory reset will delete all user data, so it's essential to have a backup beforehand. 7. **Can I restore from a Time Machine backup after resetting?** Absolutely! Once you've reinstalled macOS, you can use Time Machine to restore your backed-up data and applications to your MacBook Air. Remember to exercise caution when performing a factory reset, as it's a permanent process that cannot be undone.

How do I reset my MacBook Air to its original factory settings when starting up?

To reset your MacBook Air to its original factory settings during startup, follow these steps: 1. Use the Erase Assistant to completely erase the device. 2. Restart the system. 3. Once it's turned off, access the Apple Menu. 4. Click on "Shut Down." 5. Hold down the power button until you see "Loading startup options" displayed on the screen.

Click on Options and select Continue. Following that, you'll need to adhere to the on-screen instructions. Proceed to the Recovery app window and opt for Reinstall for your specific macOS version. Click Continue and follow the prompts provided.

Yes, you can erase all content and settings on your MacBook Air. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it using macOS' built-in feature "Erase All Content and Settings": 1. **Backup Your Data**: Before proceeding, it's crucial to back up any important files, documents, or data that you don't want to lose. You can use Time Machine or an external drive for this. 2. **Power On or Restart**: Make sure your MacBook Air is turned on and connected to a power source. 3. **Boot into Recovery Mode**: Press and hold the `Command` + `R` keys while your MacBook Air is starting up. This will boot it into Recovery Mode. 4. **Choose Disk Utility**: Once the loading bar completes, you'll see a Utilities menu at the top. Click on "Disk Utility." 5. **Select the Drive**: In Disk Utility, on the left-hand side, select your MacBook Air's main hard drive (usually named "Macintosh HD" or similar). 6. **Erase the Drive**: Click on the "Erase" tab at the top, then give your drive a new name (optional), choose "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" as the format, and click "Erase." A warning will appear; confirm to proceed. 7. **Quit Disk Utility**: After the erasing process is complete, click "Done" and then close Disk Utility. 8. **Reinstall macOS**: Go back to the Utilities menu and choose "Reinstall macOS" (or "Reinstall Mac OS X" for older models). Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall the operating system. 9. **Restore from Backup (optional)**: After the installation is finished, you can choose to restore your data from the backup you made earlier, if desired. Remember, erasing all content and settings will remove everything, so only do this when you're certain you no longer need the data or are preparing to sell or gift the device.

Yes, you can indeed erase all content and settings on your MacBook Air. To do this, follow these steps: 1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen. 2. Select "System Preferences." 3. Within System Preferences, click on "General." 4. In the General settings, you will find an option labeled "Transfer or Reset." 5. Choose "Erase All Contents and Settings" from there, and proceed with the process as prompted. Please note that this action will completely wipe your MacBook Air, so ensure you have backups of any important data before proceeding.

How can I perform a forced hard reset on my Mac?

Follow these steps to perform a hard reset on a Mac:

1. To turn off the Mac, press and hold the power button for at least 10 seconds. 2. Release the power button or Touch ID. 3. Wait for a short pause, then press the power button again to restart the Mac.

Yes, it is possible to recover lost data from a MacBook Air after a factory reset, but the chances and methods depend on several factors. Here's a general outline of the process: 1. **Backup if Data Still Present**: If you haven't performed the factory reset yet, stop and connect your MacBook Air to a Time Machine backup or use another data recovery software to try and retrieve the files. 2. **Use Data Recovery Software**: After a factory reset, the data is not immediately overwritten. You can use specialized data recovery software like Disk Drill, tools Data Recovery Wizard, or Stellar Data Recovery to scan your MacBook's drive for deleted files. 3. **Boot in Target Disk Mode**: Connect your MacBook Air to another Mac using a Thunderbolt or USB-C cable. Boot both in Target Disk Mode (press and hold the "T" key while starting the MacBook Air). Then, run the data recovery software on the connected MacBook to scan the Air's drive. 4. **Professional Help**: If the above methods don't work, consider consulting a professional data recovery service. They have advanced tools and expertise to recover data from even severely damaged drives. Remember, data recovery is not always guaranteed, especially if the drive has been rewritten or there's physical damage. It's crucial to regularly back up important files to prevent loss.

You can restore lost data from a MacBook Air after a factory reset, but you'll need to have used Time Machine for backups. If not, you'll need to rely on a trustworthy and professional data recovery software.