Reset and clear data for M1 Mac (Apple Silicon) for sale

If you own a current Apple Silicon Mac (M1, M1 Max, M1 Pro), it is relatively easy if you want to sell it or give it away. The process of factory reset these Macs and wiping out all private data is way easier than the Mac models with the Intel chip. There are currently the following models that contain such chips:

• iMac
• MacBook Air
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 14-inch, and 16-inch)
• Mac Mini

These devices can be reset very conveniently by proceeding as follows:

1. Apple menu (top left in Finder)
2. System Settings
3. in the “System Settings” menu, select the “Erase Settings and Contents” option

Now you will be asked for the admin password and then you have to enter your Apple ID password to confirm the logout from the iCloud.

Then you will be guided through the deletion process, in which you can still create a backup of the current system. Once the reset has started, the Mac may restart itself a few times. In the end, however, he should wait for you with the start screen for the setup, which asks for the desired system language.

An important step in resetting your MacBook Pro, iMac, or Mac Mini is to sign out of all iCloud services. The "Delete settings and content" function does this too.

I don't see the option “Erase settings and content”

If you - like me with my MacBook Pro M1 - also have the problem that you do not get this option to delete the settings and content, then it could be because you have not yet installed the latest macOS.

I had macOS Big Sur installed and I couldn't find the option to delete it. I then installed the latest version of macOS Monterey and after restarting I was given the option to delete settings and content.

After resetting the M1 Mac, it will restart and greet you with the installation wizard.

Learn more about resetting other Apple devices

If you have other Apple devices besides a Mac, you may find a few other articles here that might be of interest to you:

• Uninstall programs from Mac and clean up any leftover files
• Create and delete iCloud aliases - here's the quick guide
• Factory data reset iPhone
• Reset AirPods Pro - how the reset works
• Instructions: Delete apps on the iPhone and iPad

Jen Kleinholz( Founder & Sir Apfelot )

Jens has been running the blog since 2012. He appears as Sir Apfelot for his readers and helps them with problems of a technical nature. In his free time he drives electric unicycles, takes photos (preferably with his iPhone, of course), climbs around in the Hessian mountains or hikes with the family. His articles deal with Apple products, news from the world of drones or solutions for current bugs.