[2024 Updated] How to Perform System Restore on Mac Using 2 Methods

There are two secure methods to perform a system restore on your Mac. You can utilize the "Erase All Content and Settings" feature available on macOS Ventura and Monterey to restore your system or erase data in Recovery Mode. To jump directly to the step-by-step instructions, please click on the following link:

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The macOS Base System does not include a System Restore feature, unlike the Windows operating system. Although macOS lacks a built-in System Restore function, users can still perform a system restore on their Mac using the macOS Erase Assistant or by re-installing macOS in Recovery Mode.

Why do you need to perform a system restore on your Mac? You would typically need to system restore your Mac in the following scenarios:

1. After extended use, your Mac may become slow in performance. 2. Your Mac might be infected with malware, necessitating removal of the virus or malicious software. 3. Occasionally, you may wish to sell your old Mac on eBay, and it's important to prevent any personal information leaks.

Before the system restoration, you might have already experienced data loss, and we recommend recovering lost data using professional software first.

Recover Lost Files with Software Before System Restore on Your Mac

If you're planning to perform a System Restore on your Mac to address some issues, you'll likely encounter data loss. In such a situation, it's advisable to use a data recovery program to retrieve your lost data.

Employing Data Recovery Wizard for Mac would be an ideal solution for retrieving lost data on your Mac. Even if your old Mac or MacBook Air fails to turn on, Data Recovery Wizard for Mac will provide assistance in recovering data from it.

Here are the key features of Data Recovery Wizard for Mac: 1. Comprehensive Data Recovery: The tool is designed to recover lost or deleted files from various types of storage devices, including hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, memory cards, and cameras. 2. Multiple Recovery Modes: It offers different recovery modes to cater to diverse data loss scenarios, such as 'Lost File Recovery' for accidentally deleted files, 'Partition Recovery' for lost or formatted partitions, and 'Raw Recovery' for severely damaged file systems. 3. Deep Scan Technology: The advanced deep scan feature thoroughly scans the selected drive sector by sector, ensuring the recovery of even the most challenging lost files. 4. Preview before Recovery: Users can preview recoverable files, such as images, documents, and videos, before actually recovering them, allowing for selective recovery and avoiding unnecessary data retrieval. 5. Support for Various File Types: The software supports the recovery of a wide range of file formats, including documents, photos, videos, audio files, emails, and more. 6. User-friendly Interface: Data Recovery Wizard for Mac boasts an intuitive interface that simplifies the recovery process, making it accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise. 7. Safe and Secure: The tool ensures a non-destructive recovery process, preventing any further damage to your data or storage device. 8. macOS Compatibility: It is compatible with the latest versions of macOS, ensuring seamless integration with your Mac computer. 9. Free Trial and Technical Support: A free trial version is available for users to test the software's capabilities, along with dedicated technical support to assist with any queries or issues. 10. Batch Recovery: The ability to recover multiple files at once saves time and streamlines the recovery process for large volumes of data. These are just a few of the standout features of Data Recovery Wizard for Mac, which provides a reliable solution for retrieving lost data in a convenient and efficient manner.

• Recover data from local Mac or SD cards, cameras, external hard drives, USB flash drives, and other storage devices.
• Recover deleted photos from Mac. It can also recover documents, music, audio, emails, videos, etc.
• Repair corrupted photos, videos, and emails if the lost/deleted files are damaged or corrupted.

现在是时候检查使用Mac数据恢复向导工具恢复丢失文件的简单步骤了：

Step 1. Select the drive to be scanned Choose the storage drive that you want to scan for the translation process.

In the main Data Recovery Wizard window, you'll see a list of drives connected to your Mac. Choose the drive from which you need to recover lost/deleted files, and click the "Search for lost files" button.

Note: Before data recovery, it's recommended to click "Disk Backup" from the left panel to create a backup of your Mac to prevent additional data loss. Once the backup is done, the software can retrieve data from the Mac backup, and your computer can proceed to write new data.

Step 2. Select the lost data/files

Data Recovery Wizard for Mac will instantly scan the selected disk volume and display the scanning results on the left panel. If you're searching for specific files, you can sort the results to locate them more easily.

Step 3. Recover Lost/Deleted Data

Once you've located the desired files, preview them and then click "Recover" to commence the restoration of your deleted/lost Mac files.

How to Perform a System Restore on a Mac with Two Trustworthy Methods

Essentially, you have three methods to perform a system restore on your Mac. The first approach is resetting your Mac in Recovery Mode, and the second option is using the macOS Erase Assistant to erase your Mac.

Method 1: How to Perform a System Restore on a Mac in Recovery Mode

If you've forgotten the admin password for your old Mac, you can perform a factory reset on Mac without password in Recovery Mode. It's recommended to sign out of iCloud, iMessage, and linked accounts, as well as disconnect Bluetooth devices, before you boot your Mac into Disk Utility and reinstall macOS.

Here's a translation of your text into English: Watch this video from Apple Support on how to reinstall macOS using macOS Recovery, and below are the key timestamps for reference: (Video Title: How to reinstall macOS using macOS Recovery) Key Time Points: - Introduction: 0:00 - Restarting your Mac in Recovery Mode: 0:30 - Choosing your language: 1:05 - Connecting to Wi-Fi (if needed): 1:25 - Using Disk Utility to check or repair your disk: 1:45 - Exiting Disk Utility: 3:15 - Reinstalling macOS: 3:30 - Agreeing to the terms and conditions: 4:00 - Selecting your installation destination: 4:30 - Starting the installation process: 5:00 - Progress update during installation: 5:30 - Completing the installation and restarting: 6:00 - Setting up your Mac after reinstalling macOS: 6:30 - Conclusion: 7:00 Please note that the timestamps provided are approximate and may vary depending on the specific video content.

1. 00:24 Introduce three keyboard shortcuts
2. 00:33 Command + R to re-install macOS
3. 01:01 Reinstall macOS on a Mac/MacBook

Now, let's review the written tutorial on how to perform a system restore on your Mac in Recovery Mode:

Step 1. Make sure your Mac is turned off.

Step 2. Press and hold the power button if you have an Apple Silicon Mac. On an Intel-based Mac, press and hold the Command and R keys.

Step 3. Release the keys until you see the Recovery menu.

Step 4. Select "Disk Utility" and click "Continue".

Click on "Disk Utility".

Step 5. Select the disk named "Macintosh HD" and click "Erase."

Step 6. Once your startup disk has been erased, exit Disk Utility and click "Reinstall macOS" to reinstall macOS Ventura or an earlier version of macOS.

Method 2: How to Perform System Restore on Mac using macOS Erase Assistant

"Erase All Content and Settings" is a new built-in feature in macOS Ventura and Monterey. This feature allows macOS users to erase all data and restore the system with just a single click. To locate the "Erase All Content and Settings" option on macOS Ventura and Monterey, follow these steps:

On macOS Ventura:

Step 1. Click on "System Preferences" from the Apple menu.

Step 2. A window will appear, and you can click "General" on the left.

Step 3. Choose "Transfer or Reset."

Step 4. You will seeMigration Assistant and Erase Assistant. Click "Erase All Content and Settings" to activate Erase Assistant.

On macOS Monterey:

Step 1. Choose "System Preferences" from the Apple menu.

Step 2. You'll then see the target option, and you can click on "Erase All Content and Settings" to activate the Erase Assistant.

Upon locating the built-in option, you can proceed with the on-screen instructions to perform a system restore on your Mac.

Step 1. Enter the admin password if prompted.

Step 2. Choose whether you want to back up your Mac using Time Machine.

Step 3. The Apple ID, Touch ID, accessories, and Apple Wallet will be reset. Tap "Continue" to proceed to the next step.

Step 4. Confirm system restoration by clicking "Erase All Content & Settings".

Step 5. Restart and activate your Mac.

Bonus Tip: How to Restore Mac to an Earlier Date with Time Machine If you have set up Time Machine on your Mac, you can use it to restore your system to a previous state in case something goes wrong or you need to revert changes. Here's how: 1. Connect the external hard drive with your Time Machine backup to your Mac. 2. Open "Time Machine" from the Applications folder or by using Spotlight (press Command + Space and type "Time Machine"). 3. You'll see a timeline on the right side of the screen. Use the arrow buttons or click and drag on the timeline to browse through backups. 4. Locate the point in time you want to restore your Mac to. You can also use the search bar at the top to find specific files or folders. 5. Once you've found the desired backup, click on it, and then click the "Restore" button in the bottom right corner of the window. 6. Time Machine will prompt you to confirm the restoration process. Click "Restore" again to proceed. 7. The restoration process will begin, which may take some time depending on the size of the data being restored. Do not turn off your Mac or disconnect the Time Machine drive during this process. 8. Once the restoration is complete, your Mac will restart with the settings and files from the selected backup. Remember that restoring from a Time Machine backup will replace all current data with the saved version from the selected date, so make sure you really want to revert to that point before proceeding.

Upon unintentionally altering some Mac settings and being unsure of how to revert them, or if you've misplaced crucial files and wish to retrieve them without using recovery software, you might need to utilize Time Machine to restore your Mac to a previous state to address these issues.

You should regularly back up your Mac using Time Machine to allow for restoring it to a previous date. (If you don't have a backup with Time Machine, you can recover lost files using utilities like Data Recovery Wizard for Mac.)

How to restore from Time Machine?

Step 1. Boot your Mac into Recovery Mode.

Step 2. Select "Restore from Time Machine backup".

Step 3. You'll see the backup with an accurate date; select the date and restore macOS.

Step 4. Select the destination to restore macOS.

How to Perform a System Restore on a Mac: Frequently Asked Questions

Explore more questions and answers about how to perform a system restore on a Mac in this section.

**How can I perform a full system restore on a Mac?**

You can perform a full system restore on a Mac using macOS Erase Assistant or by booting your Mac into Recovery Mode. To erase the startup disk, you can use Disk Utility and then reinstall macOS. Prior to booting into Recovery Mode, ensure that you log out of all connected accounts on your Mac.

How to perform a factory reset on my M1 Mac?

If your M1 Mac is running on macOS Ventura or Monterey, you can perform a factory reset on your M1 Mac using the 'Erase All Content and Settings' option or through Disk Utility. The Erase Assistant is a convenient feature that facilitates safe and swift erasure of your Mac.

How do I restore my Mac to a previous date using Time Machine?

You can restore your Mac to a previous date using Time Machine in two ways.

1. Launch Time Machine from the System Preferences menu, and restore your Mac from a previous Time Machine backup. 2. Start your Mac in Recovery Mode, and select "Restore from Time Machine Backup."

Where is System Restore on Mac? System Restore on a Mac is known as "Time Machine" or "Migration Assistant." Here's how to locate and use these features: 1. **Time Machine**: This is Apple's built-in backup solution that allows you to restore your system to a previous state. - **Enabling Time Machine**: First, ensure you have an external hard drive connected to your Mac. Go to `System Preferences` > `Time Machine` and follow the prompts to set it up. - **Restoring from a Backup**: Once configured, open Time Machine by clicking on its icon in your Dock or via `Finder` > `Applications` > `Utilities` > `Time Machine`. Use the timeline to find the desired backup, then choose the files or system state you want to restore. 2. **Migration Assistant**: This tool helps transfer data from one Mac to another or from a Time Machine backup. - **Using Migration Assistant**: You can find it in `Applications` > `Utilities` > `Migration Assistant`. Follow the on-screen instructions to select the source (e.g., another Mac or a Time Machine backup) and transfer your data. Remember, for more advanced system recovery options, you can also boot your Mac into Recovery Mode by restarting your computer and holding down `Command + R` during startup. From there, you'll have access to utilities like Disk Utility for repairing disks and reinstalling macOS.

There isn't a specific "System Restore" feature on a Mac, but you can achieve a similar effect by using the macOS Erase and Install option. To locate this feature on macOS Ventura or Monterey, follow these steps: 1. **Backup your data**: Before proceeding, make sure to backup your important files using Time Machine or another reliable backup method. 2. **Boot into Recovery Mode**: Restart your Mac and press and hold the `Command` + `R` keys immediately after hearing the startup sound. This will boot your Mac into Recovery Mode. 3. **Open Utilities**: Once the Apple logo appears, release the keys. You'll see a menu bar at the top of the screen. Click on "Utilities" from this menu. 4. **Select "Erase All Content and Settings"**: In the Utilities window, click on "Erase All Content and Settings." This option will erase your Mac's data and settings, effectively restoring it to its original state, similar to a fresh installation. 5. **Follow the prompts**: A warning message will appear, explaining the consequences of erasing your data. Read through it, then proceed with the instructions on the screen to confirm the process. Please note that this method is not a true "system restore" in the sense of reverting to a previous state, but it will give you a clean slate to start over with your macOS. After erasing, you'll need to set up your Mac as if it were new and reinstall the operating system.

On macOS Ventura:

1. Click "System Preferences" from the Apple menu. 2. A window will open, and you can click "General" on the left side. 3. Choose "Transfer and Reset" from the options. 4. You will see Migration Assistant and Erase Assistant. Click "Erase All Content and Settings" to initiate Erase Assistant.

On macOS Monterey:

1. Click on "System Preferences" from the Apple menu. 2. Next, you'll see the desired option; click "Erase All Content and Settings" to initiate the Erase Assistant.