Want to sell your MacBook? Give it away to your kid/nephew? You may need to factory reset the Mac first. Another reason could be troubleshooting in which case you need to think about the data, settings, profile, Apple ID, etc. before doing a factory reset. However, most users are unaware of what happens when you factory reset MacBook powered by the M series processor. Let’s find out.
Table of Contents
Prerequisites
Before we begin, make sure you meet the criteria.
- You must have an M series processor (M1 or M2 for example) silicon chip or Apple T2 security chip.
- Your Mac should be running Monterey or above macOS. It is easy to check.
- We recommend you log out on all devices from your Apple ID before beginning with the steps to avoid getting errors.
How to Reset MacBook (M Series Processor)
The steps may be similar for the Intel series MacBooks, but we will be using an M1-powered MacBook for this guide. First, we will reset the MacBook and then see what happens to everything that’s associated with the computer.
1. Click on the Apple icon in the top-left corner and select System Settings.
Note: Steps are slightly different for Macs running Monterey.
2. Select General tab from the left sidebar and click on Transfer or Reset.
3. Click on Erase All Content and Settings. The Migration Assistant is for those who want to transfer data from one Mac to another. We want to reset.
4. You will be asked to enter the device password (not Apple id password) for confirmation. Do it.
5. You will see a list of things that will be deleted or reset on the screen like settings, media, data, Apple and touch ID, accessories, and location sharing. Click on Continue to begin the reset process.
6. Next, you will be asked to enter your Apple ID (not MacBook login screen ID). Finally, click on Erase All Content and Settings to confirm.
The M series MacBook will reboot and you will need to set it up as new. Like you bought it for the first time from store/online.
Pro Tip: Disable iPhone calls so they don’t ring on your MacBook when you are streaming content.
What Happens When You Reset MacBook M Series Processor
Many users do not fully understand the consequences of resetting a Mac. Here is everything you need to know about what all happens inside the system on the software level when you are resetting your MacBook for X reason. We will answer some common and uncommon questions.
What Happens to Wi-Fi Networks
All Wi-Fi networks will be deleted and you will need to re-enter the password to join. If you don’t have the Wi-Fi password, you will have to ask the owner.
What Happens to Bluetooth Devices
Like Wi-Fi networks, all Bluetooth devices will be deleted too. However, unlike Wi-Fi networks, it is easy to repair headphones and peripherals as they don’t require any password.
What About Apps When I Reset MacBook M Series Processor
All the apps that you have installed, especially 3rd-party from the App Store will be uninstalled completely. All app-associated data will be deleted too. However, different apps treat data differently.
For example, social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, OTT streaming apps like Netflix and Prime, all store your profile and related data on their servers. And so all you have to do is download and install the app and sign in. Once you do, you will see everything as is.
Other apps like cloud storage services like OneDrive, iCloud, and Google Drive take a dual approach. Here, your data is stored on the company’s server but also on your SSD. While local data will be deleted, a copy of that is still saved on the server. So when you reinstall the app, MacBook will sync everything back.
Any app that stores data locally, on MacBook, will be lost. Since there are too many apps, it’s impossible to cover all.
Must Read: How do you know if your Netflix is actually streaming on 4K? Turns out there are many factors that affect it and many times, it is not even streaming on 4K. Thankfully, there is a simple trick to find out for sure.
What Happens macOS and App Settings and Options
Just like the app data above, app settings and options are also stored either in the cloud or locally. Again, if the settings are associated with your profile and saved in the cloud, all you have to do is sign in. If it is stored locally, you will have to take a backup (more on that later).
How to Backup Mac Before Resetting It
macOS settings and options like wallpaper, brightness levels, dark mode, alarms, location settings, etc. can be backed up using the Time Machine feature. Time Machine backs up everything on your MacBook like data, different file types, settings, etc.
What Happens to Apple and Touch ID When I Reset Mac
Nothing. Your Apple ID and all data linked to it including Touch ID details, your name, address, credit card details, etc. are backed up to iCloud on Apple servers. When you buy a new MacBook or are finished resetting the existing one, simply enter your Apple ID and password to sign back in. Once you are signed in, Mac will begin to sync all data automatically.
What Should I Do About My Apple Care Plan Before Resetting
You have only two options here. You can either cancel your Apple Care plan or transfer it to another device. It is easy to do and takes only a few minutes.
What About iCloud, iMessage, iTunes, and Wallet
If you have followed the steps above to Erase All Content and Settings after taking a backup, then there is no need to worry. Your Apple ID will sign out of all four services, and any other services when the steps are completed and all settings are deleted during the process. However, if for any reason, you can’t use the Erase All Settings and Data option, you will have to do all of this manually.
Will ‘Find My’ Continue to Work
No. Location services will be reset and MacBook will be removed from the Find My UI immediately. You will need to sign in using your Apple ID, and set up Find My again if you want on the same Mac or a new one, as the case might be.
Where Are My User Accounts
All user accounts will be deleted. When you get your hands on a new MacBook, there is a default user account that you can customize and use to create more. The same is the case here as once you have reset the Mac, it will return to its original factory settings.
FAQs
1. How to reset the MacBook without password? You may have to if the Mac was stolen and sold to you, for example.
First of all, let it be a lesson to never buy a secondhand MacBook without physical inspection. Make sure everything is in order and you can access it. Now, Apple Support can help here but only if you can prove that the Mac you have was bought. You will need a purchase receipt for that — proof of payment and sale and that you are acting in good faith.
2. Can you use your old Apple ID on a new device?
Yes, you can. Once you have reset the MacBook, the Apple ID ceases to be associated with the old device. As you use the same Apple ID on a new device, it will automatically sync all associated data too.
3. Is there any way a new buyer can recover the data on MacBook?
We don’t think there is a way because once the MacBook is reset, all data, which is encrypted and needs your password to decrypt, is deleted.
What If!
Apple has one of the best ecosystems in the world making it extremely easy to backup, reset, switch to new devices, and restore data. All of it is quite intuitive and user-friendly. Thanks to the M series processor chips, the steps are quick and efficient. Now you know what happens when you factory reset MacBook running the M series chipset.
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