How to Erase and Factory Reset MacBook without Password?

Overview: Worry about How to Factory Reset MacBook Pro without password. Don’t be upset; we have got you covered on ways to erase your Mac.

Quick Answer: To restore a MacBook back to factory settings without knowing the login password, enter macOS Recovery mode (Apple Silicon: press the Power button until you see “Loading startup options“; then click Options → Continue; Intel: press Command + R when powering up). Next, launch Disk Utility, select Macintosh HD, and erase it using APFS format (select “Erase Volume Group” if possible); next, go to “Reinstall macOS“. It is important to note that in case Find My / Activation Lock is enabled, one will still have to use the original Apple ID and password.

⚠️ Before proceeding: Activation Lock works on both Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) and Intel Mac equipped with a T2 processor such that performing a clean installation of macOS by means of Recovery Mode does not remove the connection between the Mac and the Apple ID. As long as Find My Mac / Activation Lock is enabled, the Mac will demand the old Apple ID and its password as soon as you start the initial setup process from scratch after the wipe.

The following instructions explain how to reset your personal Mac computer after having forgotten its password. They do not offer the option to unlock the machine if it is not yours since no tricks with software or Terminal commands can unlock the Activation Lock protection.

Things to Do Before Reset Your Mac to Factory Settings without Password

Prior to performing the factory reset process on your Macbook Pro/ Air, ensure your system is connected to the internet via Wi-Fi, Ethernet Cable, or other means. Also, check the power supply is available to the Mac through the power adapter, so there will be no chance of a power cut or battery power running out during a factory reset. You will learn from backing up data, booting in Recovery Mode, and reinstalling macOS in the following methods.

1. Back up Your Mac Hard Drive

Factory reset Macbook without Apple/ Admin password tends to reset the Mac which can delete all the data stored on your devices. Thus, it is essential to have a backup of the data using Time Machine software (default tool for Apple Users) or you can use an external hard drive or USB.

2. Sign out of your iTunes account

In case your device has not been upgraded to Catalina, it is necessary to remove a computer from the iTunes app.

Launch iTunes. On the menu bar at the splayed-out part of your computer or on top of the iTunes window, click on Account and The Authorizations, or click on Deauthorize This Computer.

Then, your Apple ID and password are required, please enter them.

Following that, click on Deauthorize.

In brief: With macOS Catalina, the process of authorizing a device was transferred from iTunes to the Music app. Go to the Music app, click on the Account tab → Authorizations subtab, choose “Deauthorize this computer”, then type your Apple ID and password.

3. Sign out of iMessage (Messenger) on Mac

Go to your Mac’s dock and click on the Messages app or you can use the Spotlight feature to search for it.

Next, on the top-left portion of the screen you will find a menu bar, click on Messages.

Then, a list will appear, select Preferences from the list.

Now in the Preferences window, make a selection of iMessage.

Within the Apple ID section, you’ll be able to view the account that you logged in.

If you wish to log out of iMessage on your Mac, click Sign Out.

In most cases, a prompt will appear requesting your permission to log out. You may do so by clicking on the Sign Out button.

In one line: Go to Messages, click on Settings (Preferences) → iMessage → Sign Out.

4. Sign out of iCloud

Click on the Apple logo and then select System Preferences; after this, click on Apple ID.

From the sidebar, choose iCloud and Disable Find My Mac.

Next, from the sidebar, select Overview and click on Sign Out.

In case you are using macOS Mojave or an earlier version, go to the Apple menu, choose System Preferences, select iCloud, and then click on Sign Out.

In simple words: Click on Apple menu, go to System Settings, click on your account name, then sign out, or on older version of macOS, go to System Preferences → iCloud → Sign Out. Disable Find My Mac first if you plan on keeping the Mac, to have less work on re-setting it up in the future; this will not disable Activation Lock retroactively.

5. Delete Bluetooth Connections

On the top left, click on Apple Menu ().

Select System Settings (macOS Ventura and later) or System Preferences (earlier versions like Big Sur, Mojave, etc.)

Click on System Settings and scroll down to select Bluetooth.

Locate Bluetooth under the corresponding grid in System Preferences.

The currently connected devices will be displayed in this section.

Locate the device you wish to remove, hold the pointer above the device, and click X or More Options (•••).

Click Remove and then confirm by clicking on Remove in the pop-up box.

In short, Apple menu → System Preferences → Bluetooth. Hover over the device, click the “i” or the “X,” then remove.

6. Turn Off FileVault

System Preferences → Security & Privacy → FileVault → Deactivate. This is to deactivate FileVault prior to resetting because it takes time to decrypt.

If FileVault is not disabled, it might slow down or hinder the reset progress. Because the data present will still be encrypted. Hence, by disabling it, the erase Mac process can be executed in a hassle-free way.

7. Disable Firmware Password

If you have an Intel Mac with a firmware password, the next step in the process will require a password from you when using Recovery mode. Remove the firmware password using the Startup Security Utility, if you remember it. Otherwise, you cannot reset without going through Apple Support.

For more details on Apple support, check the link here: https://support.apple.com/en-in/102633

mount -uw /

rm /var/db/.applesetupdone

shutdown -h now

Factory Reset Modes Comparison – A Clear-Cut Visual

Find out in which mode, Admin Password is required and where Firmware Password is needed. Through the following table, you will get to know about different modes and their respective access potentials.

Please keep in mind that none of the listed ways remove Activation Lock. It depends on the Apple ID that was used to set up the Mac, not on the local disk.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Recovery Mode will not be seen. Make sure that you are pressing the correct keys: Command + R for Intel and holding the power button for Apple Silicon. In case it still doesn’t work, use Internet Recovery: for Intel press Command + Option + R while starting, and for Apple Silicon press the power button and select the option from the network during the process.

macOS reinstallation gets interrupted midway through. There are only two reasons why this happens – either your internet connection is poor or there isn’t enough disk space for the installation. Make sure that you have a proper internet connection and disk space for downloading and installing macOS, which should be appropriate for your Mac.

Any further help can be sought at the Apple Discussions forum: Apple Support Communities.

Final Outcome

Recovery Mode (Method 1) will be an appropriate way to solve the problem of password forgetfulness for most users of MacBook because of its comprehensive nature, which includes no need to enter an administrator password, universal use for all MacBook models released during the last decade and a relatively short time needed for the process (20–30 minutes). However, Activation Lock cannot be unlocked even by any method, so when purchasing a used MacBook, it would be better to make sure it is logged out of the Find My service from the seller’s side before transferring any amount of money. If the intention behind the password reset is selling or donating the device instead of unlocking it, then there is no need to use any third-party software as the built-in erasing option will be enough.