macOS Catalina Factory Reset

Why reset macOS Catalina to factory settings?

There are several reasons why you’d want to restore macOS Catalina to factory settings. It’s ideal for removing all your data and files from your MacBook before either giving it away or selling it, as well as fixing performance issues and any minor software glitches that can cause disruption.

How to prepare macOS Catalina for a factory reset?

Preparing OS X Catalina is the key to a successful factory reset. To do this, back up all your important data manually or with Mac’s Time Machine. Next, sign out of all accounts linked to Apple services or your Mac, such as iMessage and iCloud. This will help you avoid Activation Lock and other iCloud-related issues.

A note from our experts: 

 

Along with backing up important files, deleting unnecessary files is an important step before restoring a Mac device to factory settings. By using MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup software, you can gain even more space on a Mac by deleting the old and unnecessary files, including caches, logs, and mail attachments, before you wipe a Mac Catalina via a factory reset.

 

Follow the steps below to get rid of junk files on your Mac using MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup tool:

1. Download and install MacKeeper on your MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or desktop/iMac device.
2. Navigate to the sidebar, choose the Safe Cleanup option, and click on Start Scan.
3. After the scan is complete, confirm that the right boxes are checked, and press the Clean Junk Files button at the bottom.

How to factory reset MacBook Catalina?

Factory resetting macOS Catalina involves three essential steps. These include booting Mac in Recovery Mode, erasing disk with Disk Utility, and reinstalling macOS Catalina. Start by backing up your data and sign out of all your accounts to protect you and the next owner. Failure to do so can result in permanent data loss and privacy and app licensing issues.

To know how to do it, follow our comprehensive guidance below to factory reset your MacBook.

1. Boot Mac in Recovery Mode

We always start by booting Mac in Recovery Mode, Mac’s built-in startup environment. It helps us erase macOS Catalina (10.15) safely, access Disk Utility to erase the disk, and reinstall macOS without using the current system.

Follow the instructions below to boot macOS into Recovery Mode:

1. Restart your Mac device by clicking on the Apple menu and selecting the Restart option.
2. Hold down the Command + R keys until Mac’s spinning globe or the Apple logo appears. You should now see the macOS Utilities window in Recovery Mode.

2. Erase disk with Disk Utility

Now that you’re in Recovery Mode, you can completely erase your hard drive using the Disk Utility tool. Mac’s Disk Utility helps us clear everything from our drive, including our current macOS, all apps, user accounts, documents, and more. It gives us a clean slate and helps us get rid of problematic apps and settings.

To erase your Mac’s disk using Disk Utility, do this:

1. Choose the Disk Utility option in the macOS Utilities window and tap to Continue.
2. Select your startup disk (in most cases, this is Macintosh HD) and click the Erase button at the top of the window.
3. In the dialog box, choose either the Mac OS Extended (Journaled) or APFS (for newer Macs) format option, followed by Erase, and then exit Disk Utility when the process is complete.

3. Reinstall macOS Catalina

Once we’ve erased the disk, we move on to the macOS reinstallation process. This process installs a brand new copy of macOS Catalina onto the erased drive—one without old settings, macOS Catalina bugs, and malware, allowing you to start afresh.

Follow the steps below to reinstall a fresh copy of macOS Catalina:

1. Click on Reinstall macOS and the Continue option in the macOS Utilities window.
2. Select the drive (Macintosh HD) you want to install macOS Catalina to, and then wait for the installation process to complete. Note that this process could take a while, depending on how fast your internet speed is.
3. Once that’s done, your computer will restart, and the Setup Assistant will appear as though your Mac is brand new.

Reset macOS Catalina safely

Whether you’re selling your Mac or just starting afresh, resetting it will help you avoid problems such as privacy issues, permanent data loss, and Activation Lock down the line. Use the three easy steps in our guide to safely erase and reset macOS Catalina in Recovery Mode. Forgot your Mac password? No worries. You can factory reset a MacBook Pro without a password.

Don’t forget your trusted factory reset checklist: backup your data, sign out of your online accounts, and clean your device first. For the latter, we recommend using MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup tool, which safely removes junk files while keeping important data intact. Encountering performing issues post-update? Learn what to do when Mac is running slow after a Catalina update.