How to reset macbook air to factory settings. iMac System Recovery

To use your Macbook at 100%, you need to be able to perform various operations. The most important of them are the return of data from backup, the recovery of password symbols, the return to the original settings. The last operation is discussed in detail below, but the others are also mentioned. All procedures are easily performed using "native" tools. In difficult situations, an installation disc is required.

If the device on Mac OS is functioning with errors or the owner is preparing it for sale, you will need to perform a factory reset procedure. Before starting, you should create a backup, since all information during the operation will be irretrievably erased. To do this, it is recommended to use the Time Machine software. Copy location - external hard disk. It should be formatted in Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

After completing the preparatory steps, the algorithm of actions will be as follows:

Open the list of software and launch Time Machine.
Click on the disk selection section.
Specify the external source where the backup will be saved and click on “Use. disk".
The backup function will offer to erase the data present on the external drive. You must agree to this operation, otherwise the creation of a copy will not be possible.
If you need to include not all elements in the backup, proceed to the settings section. There, using the "plus" button, we add to the list the data that will not be included in the backup.
Once the value settings are complete, the Time Machine slider will become enabled. A complete backup operation will take a long time. After the end of the procedure, you can return the original parameters to the device. To this end, we move on to the next step.
Restart your MacBook by pressing Command and R.
We open the utilities section and start the disk.
On the left on the panel, select the boot disk and proceed to the erasing section.
Specify the format "Mac OS Extended" and click on the erase button.

At the end of the procedure for formatting the disk and resetting the values to the original ones, we exit the disk utility. We reinstall the operating system again, following the advice in the corresponding utility window.

Backup data recovery method

To return all the information lost during the data reset process, you need to make a backup. The steps to make a copy are:

We connect an external drive with a copy from the macbook.
We place the installation disk in the device. When starting the system, press the element "C" to enter the installer section. We select the language.
Open the utilities section and start the system restore operation from backup.
Click on the continuation element in the pop-up window.
Select the drive where the backup is saved .
Specify the date of the final backup .
Select the disk where we will perform data recovery.

After the end of the calculation of the time for this operation, click on the restore button. A warning will pop up about cleaning up the disk you are working with. Press the continue button and the recovery mode will start. Upon completion of the operation, reboot the device. During the startup process, the system will be displayed as it was on the date the copy was made. All edits made after the operation will be undone.

Steps to recover password symbols

You can reset your forgotten password using one of 3 methods:

Using the installation disk.
By ID number.
Using the terminal in recovery mode.

If you have an installation disc for Mac OS X operating system, it will not take hours to reset the password characters, just a few minutes will suffice:

Place the disc in the drive and reboot the device.
When you hear startup sounds, press the "C" item. Hold until the spinning gear appears.
Select the language and press the continue element.
In the operating system installation menu, select the service software section and start the password reset mechanism.

The wizard will throw off the current key, forgotten by you, and will set up new characters. This method is the easiest. But if you do not have an operating disk, nothing will come of it. In such a situation, try to enter the wrong password characters three times, the installation window will pop up through the ID - number.

However, there is also a requirement. The option to recover password characters using ID must be active in the settings of the macbook. If this is not the case, you should resort to the following method, which works on all variations of the operating system, and always works 100%:

Reboot your device. To do this, press Command+R at the same time until the loading indication appears.
Make the choice of Russian as the main language. The system will boot into recovery mode.
Open the utilities section at the top and launch the operating system.
Type "resetpassword" and hit enter.
Mark the section where the user account is located.
Select an account and type in new password characters twice.
Click on the consent element to confirm the data reset.

After throwing off the characters, restart the operating system. At startup, a warning will pop up about the impossibility of unlocking the keychain for signing in. Click on the element of the new login and type in the characters of the password set after resetting the old key.

That's all the instructions on how to restore the macbook to factory settings, how to backup and restore the system. All these operations will not be difficult to perform on any model of an "apple" laptop - Air or Macbook Pro. They are needed when various kinds of problems or errors arise. Each owner of the device should know how to reset to the original settings, because if the device is sold (or when it needs to be restored), this is simply necessary. But before returning the factory settings, you will need a backup copy, because all data will inevitably be erased. The copying process is also very simple. The easiest way to do this is to use iCloud.

Feel like you need to start over from scratch? Know that you can factory reset your Mac at any time. This means that all your activities will be erased, and the device will look like it came out of the box (maybe except for a couple of scratches). This is a simple procedure that does not take much time, and we will tell you how to carry it out safely and effectively.

Often, deleting all data becomes a cause of concern and even tantrums, but there are cases when this is indispensable. For example, if you decide to sell your computer. Part of this is removing the device from iTunes and cutting off all cloud connections. But another important aspect is the restoration of factory settings.

First, make sure your Mac is connected to the Internet. The process of formatting a drive is quite simple, but you will need to access the factory settings when everything is finished. It also doesn't hurt to plug your MacBook into the mains to avoid draining the battery.

Now go to the Apple menu (the one with the Apple logo) and select the reboot command. Wait until the computer turns off and starts up again, then when the gray reboot screen appears, hold down the command key (Command) and the R key.

This will take you to the OS X Utilities, where you can make important and potentially dangerous changes. Select Disk Utility. Now the process will start to differ slightly depending on the version of OS X. Here you need to find required disks, select them and go to the Erase tab. Next, in the format options, select Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and click Erase again. After completing the procedure, go to the Disk Utility menu and select Exit.

Now you have deleted all the data, but this is only half the way. When you exit the Disk Utility menu, you will see Reinstall current OS X. Select this option and confirm that you really want to continue. You may have to go through a few confirmations before the installation is ready to begin.

This is where you need an internet connection. Apple saves all factory data on its servers so your Mac can find the original version operating system and load all its settings.

Note: This online solution only works for newversions of OS X starting with like Lion, Mountain Lion. If you are running Snow Leopard or an earlier version of OS X, you will need the original installation disk supplied with the computer.

It's obvious that full reset this is a serious step, and you need to make sure that no important data is lost. Backing up your computer is a necessary part of the procedure and it is highly recommended to start with it. Here are a few ways you can save data.

Use Time Machine if possible. The program will allow you to save settings and data to external drive. After that, you can put a "snapshot" of your Mac, including all the information, into the Time Capsule and move them to another system.
You may need to reinstall Apple apps on a new computer. Visit Mac App Store and you will see the option to reinstall all applications.
If you already have a second computer, you can use Migration Assistant to simply move your data with a quick drive clone.
Cloud backup can help a little, but its volume is unlikely to be enough for all the information on the computer system, so it is better to use physical methods of copying in such procedures.

In some cases, due to malfunctions in the operating system or problems with applications, it may be necessary to reset your MacBook to factory settings. Mac OS is a fairly stable system, but it is not completely immune to problems.

Resetting to factory settings in the case of a MacBook - complete reinstallation systems. All data will be deleted, the system will be clean, as if you just bought this laptop and are setting it up again. Therefore, it is first necessary to transfer important data to some separate medium. The process itself is simple, but it will require a stable internet connection.

How to reinstall MacOS

Before you start resetting the settings, you need to make sure that the Internet is connected. Macbook should also be connected to the network. Further:

Send MacBook to reboot.
Press Cmnd+R while booting.
Wait for the operating system to load recovery mode.
In the Utilities window, select Disk Utility.
Select the boot disk and go to the "erase" additional menu.
From the selected boot disk, select the operating system and click on "erase".
After full formatting disk to return to the utilities menu.
Select "reinstall OS".

Next, the system will automatically load the operating system via the Internet. After that, following the prompts on the screen, you can reinstall your system. This procedure will not take you much time, the main thing is to make sure that the laptop is connected to the network - a sudden shutdown due to the fact that the battery has run out can lead to unpleasant consequences.

You can also pre-create bootable flash drive and reinstall the system already from it. Or use boot disk, if it was in the basic configuration. And for Reserve copy data from hard drive additional applications can be used.

Reset system settings

In some cases, a quick reset can help solve problems with system performance and fix errors. system settings. It usually helps when there are some problems with system boot speed. If this method helps, knowing how to reset a MacBook to factory settings is only theoretical in case of serious system errors.

Turn off Macbook.
Hold down the combination Cmnd + Opt + P + R together with the power button.
Hold the combination until the power-up sound plays twice.
Check download speed and system settings.

If the problem persists, try resetting your Macbook to factory settings completely.

Fair, not too high or too low. There should be prices on the Service website. Necessarily! without "asterisks", clear and detailed, where it is technically possible - the most accurate, final.

If spare parts are available, up to 85% percent of complex repairs can be completed in 1-2 days. Modular repairs take much less time. The site indicates the approximate duration of any repair.

Warranty and Liability

A warranty should be given for any repair. Everything is described on the site and in the documents. A guarantee is self-confidence and respect for you. A 3-6 month warranty is good and enough. It is needed to check the quality and hidden defects that cannot be detected immediately. You see honest and realistic terms (not 3 years), you can be sure that you will be helped.

Half the success in Apple repair is the quality and reliability of spare parts, so a good service works directly with suppliers, there are always several reliable channels and a warehouse with proven spare parts for current models so that you do not have to waste extra time.

Free diagnostics

This is very important and has already become a rule of good form for the service center. Diagnosis is the most difficult and important part of the repair, but you should not pay a dime for it, even if you do not repair the device after it.

Service repair and delivery

Good service appreciates your time, therefore offers free shipping. And for the same reason, repairs are carried out only in the workshop of the service center: it can be done correctly and according to technology only at a prepared place.

Convenient schedule

If the Service works for you, and not for itself, then it is always open! absolutely. The schedule should be convenient in order to be in time before and after work. Good service works on weekends and holidays. We are waiting for you and working on your devices every day: 9:00 - 21:00

The reputation of professionals consists of several points

Age and experience of the company

Reliable and experienced service is known for a long time.
If a company has been on the market for many years, and it has managed to establish itself as an expert, they turn to it, write about it, recommend it. We know what we are talking about, since 98% of incoming devices in the SC are restored.
We are trusted and passed on complex cases to other service centers.

How many masters in the directions

If you are always waiting for several engineers for each type of equipment, you can be sure:
1. there will be no queue (or it will be minimal) - your device will be taken care of immediately.
2. You give Macbook repair to an expert specifically in the field of Mac repairs. He knows all the secrets of these devices

technical literacy

If you ask a question, the specialist must answer it as accurately as possible.
To give you an idea of what you need.
Will try to solve the problem. In most cases, from the description, you can understand what happened and how to fix the problem.

Apple technology is famous for its stability, but even it is not immune from software errors. If the MacBook has stopped booting normally, and you can’t reinstall the system, the only solution to the problem is a factory reset, which we want to introduce you to today.

There are two factory reset options available for Apple laptops: NVRAM reset or system reset. They differ in the depth of restoring factory settings - the first option simply resets some values \u200b\u200blike screen resolution or startup items, while the second is intended for complete removal user settings and data.

Before we start describing the procedures for each option, we recommend that you prepare your device for a reset.

Make a backup copy of important data, for example, using Time Machine or by simply copying information to external media.
Disconnect connected peripherals from the device: printers, external keyboards, mice, monitors, adapters, or specific equipment.
Make sure your device is connected to the internet. It is highly desirable to use a wired connection as it is more stable. Also, the MacBook should be connected to external power: If the battery runs out during the reset process, the laptop may break.

Now let's move on to the description of reset methods.

Option 1: Reset NVRAM

The term NVRAM stands for non-volatile memory that does not lose data after a power outage. In Macbooks, the corresponding scheme stores some settings that are critical to booting the system. If there is a problem with the latter, resetting the NVRAM values \u200b\u200bto the factory settings can restore the laptop to working.

If everything is done correctly, the NVRAM settings will be reset.

Option 2: Reinstalling the system

Full hard reset Macbook is possible only by reinstalling the system. This procedure has several varieties: reinstalling the current version, macOS installation with which the laptop was shipped, installation latest version operating system available for your model. In the process, you can also save data from internal storage, and delete them through formatting - the latter is useful if you are going to sell your MacBook. We covered all the available options for reinstalling macOS in a separate article, so refer to it for detailed instructions.

What to do if factory reset doesn't work

In some cases, resetting the settings does not work - the computer simply does not respond to user actions. There can be many reasons for this behavior, but most often it means problems with the system management controller (SMC), a kind of BIOS in IBM-compatible computers. You can fix this problem by resetting the SMC. Also, this procedure should be done in cases where reinstalling the OS or resetting NVRAM did not work correctly.

The procedure is different for MacBooks with removable and non-removable batteries. The latter category includes all MacBooks released since 2015, as well as some older MacBook Pros.

Reset SMC on devices with a non-removable battery

Reset on a MacBook with removable battery

Turn off the device if you haven't already, then unplug the power cable and remove the battery.
Press the power button and hold it down for 5-10 seconds.
Install the battery back and try to turn on the device - it should work without problems.

If even resetting the SMC did not fix the problem, then the cause of it lies in the hardware, and without a visit to service center not enough.

Conclusion

We looked at the options for resetting the MacBook to the factory settings - both the device as a whole and some of its components like NVRAM and SMC. As you can see, the procedure is quite simple, but you need to strictly follow the instructions.