How to Factory Reset and securely wipe an Apple Airport Time Caspule

[@SEACS]

Wonderfully clear and helpful video. Thank you; I searched for weeks for how to do this. You solved my problem.

[@Jillybug2000]

Excellent explanation! Very clear and concise...really appreciate your work ethic on this!

[@tkaya8468]

Really clear instructions, but can I turn off my Mac computer during the ''erase completion time'' or does it need to be connected all the time?

[@mydoodads]

It's been a while since I decommissioned my Time Capsule 😢. However, if I remember correctly, you don't need to leave your computer switched on.

[@MexterO123]

I think the zero out option should be more than enough. 24 hours for wiping a hard drive is too much unless your keeping top secret stuff.

[@theendoffaith5903]

hey mydoodads thanks for the video question: what would happen if you press the reset button in the back without wiping out your hard drive first?

[@mydoodads]

According to Apple, if you perform a factory (hard) reset on an Apple Time Capsule. It does "not delete data stored on the built-in hard drive of a Time Capsule, or on any external hard drive connected to the base station" ref - support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201945 So if you were looking to decommission your Time Capsule, and had not wiped the hard drive. A third party could potentially access any data that you had stored on the device.

[@slamcutube]

mydoodads I just tested it out pressing the reset button in the back just reset all configurations to factory on the base station without wiping out the hard drive

[@mydoodads]

@@slamcutube Thanks for the info :)

[@ThatGarageSound]

great video. really simple and easy to follow thank you very much

[@TheVld]

So if I forgot my time capsule's password.... how can I access my hard drive? Do i do a soft reset and set a new password or do I factory reset it (from ehat apple says the factory reset shouldn't erase any data on the hard drive). I have a lot of photos that I can't lose so if you know please let me know! P.S - apple won't help me at any service because "it's no longer supported" so......

[@erfelipe]

Great. Thanks.

[@anders644]

what if I don't see anything under disks tab? There is literally nothing there.

[@adammackintosh]

Perfect tutorial.

[@Utahsaint]

Great talkthru - thx much!

[@joaquinfernandesgarcia996]

2:55 35-pass erase???

[@mydoodads]

It’s a bit excessive, but nice to have as an option

[@jaxrules2892]

The Gutmann method

[@mydoodads]

It’s the name of the chap who came up with a 35 pass erase as a secure wipe for magnetic drives

[@alerey4363]

that's not a factory reset; a factory reset is performed by pushing the reset tiny button on the side of the unit

[@mydoodads]

You mean the bit at the 3:50 mark?

[@theendoffaith5903]

@@mydoodads hey mydoodads thanks for the video question: what would happen if you press the reset button in the back without wiping out your hard drive first?

[@mydoodads]

@@theendoffaith5903 Sorry for my delay in replying. If you just press the reset button, you only reset the settings of your Time Capsules. So any data stored on the hard drive will remain intact. Which means that if someone else gets hold of your Time Capsules that can easily assess the data you have stored on the hard drive.

[@jamessuba5826]

Too long for a simple reset.