If you’re planning to sell, give away, or simply restore your 2015 Mac to its original state, performing a factory reset is essential. This process securely erases all your personal data, settings, and installed applications, effectively returning your Mac to its out-of-the-box condition. Depending on your macOS version and specific 2015 Mac model, you might have different options for achieving this. This guide will walk you through the methods to factory reset your 2015 Mac, ensuring a clean slate for its next use.
For some later 2015 Mac models that are running macOS Monterey or newer, you might be able to use the “Erase All Content and Settings” feature, which is the quickest way to reset your device. For other 2015 Macs, especially those on older macOS versions, you’ll need to use macOS Recovery to erase your drive and reinstall the operating system.
Using “Erase All Content and Settings” (If Available)
The “Erase All Content and Settings” feature is designed for simplicity and speed. It’s available on Macs with Apple silicon or the Apple T2 Security Chip running macOS Monterey or later. While most 2015 Macs predate these chips, if you’ve upgraded to a newer macOS on a compatible model, you can check for this option.
For macOS Ventura or later:
- Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen and select “System Settings.”
- In the System Settings window, click on “General” in the sidebar.
- Scroll down to find and click “Transfer or Reset.”
- Click the “Erase All Content and Settings” button. If you do not see this button, proceed to the next section for the macOS Recovery method.
For macOS Monterey:
- Click the Apple menu and choose “System Preferences.”
- From the System Preferences menu in the menu bar, select “Erase All Content and Settings.” If you don’t see this option in the menu, use the macOS Recovery method described below.
Once you initiate “Erase All Content and Settings,” an assistant will guide you through the remaining steps. You’ll be presented with a summary of what will be erased. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process. Your Mac will restart and guide you through the initial setup, just like a new machine.
Activate Mac window with Restart button
Restart window after activating Mac, prompting user to restart the system as part of the factory reset process.
Using macOS Recovery to Factory Reset Your 2015 Mac
If the “Erase All Content and Settings” feature is not available on your 2015 Mac, or if you prefer a more traditional method, macOS Recovery is your go-to solution. This method works for all 2015 Mac models and macOS versions.
- Start in macOS Recovery: Turn off your Mac completely. Then, turn it back on and immediately press and hold the Command (⌘) and R keys until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe.
- Enter Disk Utility: In the macOS Utilities window, select “Disk Utility” and click “Continue.”
- Select your Startup Disk: In Disk Utility, usually found in the sidebar under “Internal,” choose your startup disk. It’s often named “Macintosh HD” unless you renamed it.
- Erase your Startup Disk: Click the “Erase” button in the Disk Utility toolbar.
- Name: You can keep “Macintosh HD” or rename it.
- Format: Choose “APFS” if it’s available and you are reinstalling macOS High Sierra or later. For older macOS versions, choose “Mac OS Extended (Journaled).”
- Scheme: Ensure “GUID Partition Map” is selected.
- Click “Erase” and then “Done” when the process is complete.
- Reinstall macOS: After erasing your disk, quit Disk Utility to return to the macOS Utilities window. Select “Reinstall macOS” and click “Continue.” Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall the operating system. This process may take some time depending on your internet connection speed, as it might download necessary files.
- Complete Setup (or Shut Down): Once macOS is reinstalled, your Mac will restart and present the setup assistant. If you are keeping the Mac for yourself, proceed with the setup. If you are selling or giving it away, power off the Mac at this stage. The new owner can then complete the setup process themselves.
By following these steps, you can effectively factory reset your 2015 Mac, whether using the streamlined “Erase All Content and Settings” or the more traditional macOS Recovery method. Choose the method that best suits your Mac model and macOS version to prepare it for its next chapter.
