How To Erase and Reset an M1 or Apple Silicon Mac back to factory default

I show you how to erase and reset a M1 or Apple Silicon Mac back to factory settings in my step-by-step guide. Make sure you create a backup prior to doing this as it will completely delete all files on your Mac. #MacOS #Mac #HowTo
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**Time Codes**
00:00 - Introduction
00:14 - Make sure you have a backup
00:26 - Make sure your Mac software is up to date
00:53 - Signing out of iCloud and iMessage
02:53 - Entering Recovery mode on M1 Apple Silicon
04:56 - Reinstalling macOS
06:51 - Outro
07:11 - End
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[@PackFan2323]

This was by far the most clearly done instructional video on resetting a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air M1. The step-by-step process was so easy to follow, everything went just fine!

[@zaker600]

The most straightforward, clear and easy to follow video on something that is quite complex to many people. Thank you very much, your awesome!

[@PackFan2323]

Aaron, thanks much! Sold my Mac last nite, and tried the "old way" unsuccessfully to reset first, then searched out your clear step-by-step method for the M1. Two thumbs up!

[@tammyjones6626]

Thank you for being so clear and detailed. I've only had mine for 1 day and decided I needed a bigger screen. Now I feel comfortable returning it. I appreciated this video.

[@zollotech]

Here is how to properly reset a MacBook that has Apple Silicon. Hopefully it’s helpful and thank you for watching.

[@jamesuk1704]

Ok

[@jiqoynicholas1280]

I returned my M1 before watching this. I only went through the formatting part, and reinstalled Big Sur. I'm a Windows user, and so I assumed going through the factory reset was enough. Do you think my information is still on the Mac?

[@zollotech]

@@jiqoynicholas1280 If you formatted it, it shouldn't be there, but it will still be associated with your account

[@PerestukinV]

@@rutvikgulavani8973 I think you have to restart your Mac and try it again

[@PerestukinV]

@@rutvikgulavani8973 oh, dude, its terrible. Good luck

[@stephensalex]

Thank you for making this. Your information is accurate and well-explained. A lot of other content creators seem to offer incorrect methods for doing things, and I wanted to comment and say thank you for doing a great job. I've subscribed. Please keep it up!

[@panda7455]

Straight to the point, no time waste. Good job sir!!

[@NadinevanBiljon]

So clear and easy to follow - thanks so much Aaron!

[@tolulopemabo3829]

Amazing video! Concise, informative and helpful! Thanks Aaron 😊

[@aakashchrispin3749]

Will be getting the MBA this month. Super Excited !!!!

[@ryan3730]

This was an amazing clear video and just what we needed. Thanks.

[@bryansmith331]

THANK YOU. I don’t know why it was so hard to find straightforward instructions.

[@nellwackwitz]

My MBA M1is on its way! Thank you so much for your informative and helpful video! I’ve saved it for future use.

[@holygrailrose]

Thank you for this video! I know I can always count on you when I don’t know how to do something lol…this was my first MacBook and I wanted to factory reset it. This was the easiest tutorial ever. Thank you again!

[@fyrstgomez]

Funny, this information was quite hard to find out there. Thanks a bunch!

[@jeffhollie]

Thank you for making a clear video with direct instructions. Very helpful!

[@ToddGordon]

Really well done, thanks for the straightforward walkthrough.

[@JoleneAliciaElias]

how did you know I needed this?? thank you!!!!

[@lawrenceflowers2680]

I’ve just got mine and loving it,not about to give it a way anytime soon but thank you for the tips I’m sure it’s going to be very useful in the future.

[@thevacdude]

This is very helpful. Thanks for the video, Aaron.

[@johnd942]

A very clear and clean presentation. Well done!

[@yasersh7784]

Great, to the point and concise . Helped a great deal

[@justmattgray]

Whenever i need help. You’re always there with evergreen content like this. Thank you!!!!!

[@danielbarajas-lua6546]

The way you make everything so easy is awesome !!

[@danielagranados5137]

Hello thank you for saving my computer this tip is amazing! Thank you so much man

[@Cre8tiveWoman]

Thanks so much! Your video was very helpful and easy to follow. After a successful reset, I managed to send my new Macbook Pro M1 back where it came from.

[@ThiChicThrifts]

I sat and watched 5 other KZbin videos and you were the only one who walked me through this with ease! Thank you so much 😊❤️🥰🙏🏾

[@EVargas1998]

Thanks Aron, had trouble resetting my computer but thank you for helping me out.

[@brettmac89]

Thank you Aaron. Smooth and to the point. Was faffing about with the M1 air without realising Command R only works on non M1 chips.

[@andyadler]

Absolutely flawless set of directions. Consider me grateful.

[@ciscomike82]

Simple and very helpful. Thanks!

[@CamAndLights]

Incredibly clear and helpful video. Thank you so so much.

[@tylerschmidt5927]

Thanks for the video! Such easy-to-follow steps!

[@fredrikbjurstrom4578]

Really good and clear instructions, great video! Thanks! : )

[@ClarissaJacobson]

OMG finally you were the only one who could get me here - 1 hour with MAC online finally made genius appointment and found this

[@MarkSouthee]

Thanks, very clearly explained. Much better than any of the Apple docs 🙂

[@keventejada65]

Great video! Easy to follow and straight to the point

[@reggiedillard7731]

The best video teaching this process hands down. Much appreciated!💪🏾♥️

[@quettltsimane750]

I'm in Gaborone Botswana, Windows based IT Professional and have just switched to Macintosh, the best walk through ever, i enjoyed how you clearly explained the boot sequence which i struggled with. Great job Mister, managed to reset my bosses MacBook Air M1. Couldn't have done it without you, great job 😉👏

[@andycoffman]

Excellent video! Worked perfectly. Thank you

[@jrodr261]

Thank you so much for the video. It was a huge help. WAY better than the guides I was reading online

[@TheSignseeker]

Made it so clear and easy. Thanks!

[@stevesau100]

Saved for later reference thank you. 😎

[@deboragreen2760]

Thank you for your help. You made it seem so easy.😊

[@konofiliusz1]

Thanks mate! And what if there are two main account ? Should it be formatted from one of them or done individually for both?

[@CNT536]

thank you for the clear, concise presentation

[@mirkolanux]

a brilliant, complete and clear tutorial for all the comunity, great work!

[@chickenwing1804]

Thank you Aaron, very cool

[@KeiraRoth]

Really helpful thank you! I tried following the guides on the Apple website and they were no use - this was great. Much appreciated.

[@chrisballard7594]

I want to thank you for explaining this process in a clear way. You’re the man. Cheers bro.

[@karenowens2532]

I could not have done this without you! Thanks!

[@yanc1317]

I was overwhelmed about going through the steps your video was godsend! Thanks

[@patriciaaddis6368]

Thank you so much for this! Your clear and concise instructions were extremely helpful to this new Mac user!

[@kidstoyreview4560]

Thanks, you the only one who explained all the steps properly .

[@imammohammednawaz9813]

Well explained step by step. Very easy to work on

[@SpaceWithSam]

Really helpful and understandable video, well done!

[@zollotech]

Thank you

[@jeffhale1189]

👀 Very helpful! Blessings on your day 👍🏻👍🏻

[@chilly6470]

Thanks man, much needed and appreciated!

[@RyanRCRacing]

straight forward, no time wasted, no long unnecessary intros. great video.

[@brucesyvertsen2147]

Thanks. Great video and a big time saver!

[@carlacwolf]

Oh God! I watched a few videos and only yours really helped me! Thank you!

[@bradley7506]

Thank you for this video. Very helpful as I had thought I was to use Command R. One question..will the Mac mini recognize my Logitech MX bluetooth keyboard and mouse when it boots into recover mode? I understand it will work with Magic Mouse and keyboard but I don't use them. Just want to make sure I don't end up not being able to control my Mac mini in recover mode. Thank you in advance for any assistance you can offer on this.

[@tishbouvier]

WOW you made resetting macbook air easy to restore and sell. I truly appreciate your video and the time you put into creating it. Thank YOU!!!

[@edwinjackson9339]

Great video. Very clear on what to do.

[@elishamorgan]

Thank you so much! The internet is so unbelievably full of convoluted, murky and ridiculously complex instructions on what should be straight forward. So happy I found this video. Subscribed

[@jillellis2596]

This helped so much! Thank You

[@lesliegraham8478]

You make things so simple! Thanks!

[@kru3d36]

Great, easy video. Thx for taking the time.

[@kolbyhardy9648]

Thank you so much! You made this whole process so easy and unintimidating

[@dorghut]

Excellent! Very helpful, thanks 🙏🏽

[@richardeicholtz4868]

That was just what I was looking for. Thank you!

[@arjuns5772]

Thank you so much Aaron!

[@ellierands]

Thanks this was super helpful!

[@CenterforSpiritualAwakening]

Excellent video Thank you for being so clear.

[@GregNixon]

Very useful video. Quick question. What if you don't/cadon't sign out of the cloud items i.e. the mac won't boot into the OS?

[@ErikaEmody]

Excellently communicated. Thank you!

[@ITechS786]

THANK YOU MAN, you were the only guy who fixed my issue.

[@tassosm.4790]

Such a helpful how-to without any useless information, thank you!

[@paulsmith4568]

Thank you, after trying to read the online guides, I felt daunted about doing this, but your video was easy to follow and made things seem straight forward. 😀

[@Hadaidi]

Thanks bro

[@sinless4088]

@Thilosh S he has 720k subs. Why is that so surprising?

[@hongyangma5468]

This is highly helpful. Thank you very much!

[@Rperez15]

Thank you very much. Nice and simple.

[@kay23456]

no bs, straight to the point tut! ty

[@davem3564]

Great video, very clear.. many thanks for the support! :)

[@YarmouthMark]

Worked perfectly. Many thanks....

[@NicolasPare]

Thanks for making this video. It's a bit more complex to do this on a MacBook compared to iPad or iPhone.

[@ActuarialNinja]

Such an incredibly helpful video. All the steps were there with no fluff. So useful. Thank you very much

[@DarMcCree]

Agreed!!!

[@chrissyvanzant7495]

I did this and now my lab top wont do anything just flashes a ?

[@QefkaRetro]

what is the point of the first step of deleting everything from the mac if you are going to format the hard drive anyway? That stage seems so pointless to me.

[@christosnyman8655]

@@QefkaRetro if you just do a reinstall it doesn't actually remove anything. I learned the hard way and had to do it all again but first erase and then reinstall.

[@code_racer]

Very thankful!! Nice explanation.

[@IoannisAnifantakis]

Hi @zollotech, I have two questions, please. 1. At the start, why should we remove accounts since we will be reinstalling the OS? (we are in fact formatting the mac and reinstalling the OS, doesn't that remove the accounts too?) 2. Is there no way to restore from an image rather than always downloading everything?

[@fumikuyuki3569]

This is a gem! You've been a great help! 🙏🏼

[@jacxonsaez6896]

Thank you, Helping me a lot.

[@SaratChandra]

Thank u for the detailed walk through. It helped me greatly.

[@Useruseruser99user]

Very helpful, Thank you 👍🏼

[@5.0coyote12]

Thank you very much for sharing !!!

[@savissm]

Thank you so much, you are truly a great teacher, anything I need to learn you have it in a best way, thank you

[@KelvinKMS]

You are a life saver for sure !!! I need this tutorial !!

[@rogvilchis2853]

Clear and informative Thank you kind sir

[@h.panout]

The best step by step tutorial. Thanks alot for the help.

[@laurasundquist8662]

This was soooo helpful!! Thank you.

[@americanexpress888]

nice and super straight forward. no bullshits or "speaking of which" crap. big thumbs up and liked and subscribed