To reset your Mac to factory settings without a password, you can follow these steps:
1. Start by powering on your Mac and holding down the Command + R keys simultaneously. This will boot your Mac into Recovery Mode.
2. Once you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe, you can release the keys. This will take you to the Mac Utilities window.
3. In the Mac Utilities window, you will see various options. Click on the Disk Utility option to proceed.
4. In the Disk Utility window, you will see a list of all the internal and external devices connected to your Mac. Look for and click on “Macintosh HD” or the name of your main hard drive under the Internal Device section on the left panel.
5. After selecting your main hard drive, go to the top menu bar and click on the Erase option.
6. A new window will appear, allowing you to choose the format for your erased drive. It is recommended to select “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)” as the format. You can also enter a new name for your hard drive if you wish.
7. Once you have selected the format and named your hard drive, click on the Erase button to begin the process. This will erase all the data on your Mac’s main hard drive.
8. After the erasing process is complete, you can close the Disk Utility window and go back to the Mac Utilities window.
9. From the Mac Utilities window, you can now choose the option to reinstall macOS. This will download and reinstall the original operating system that came with your Mac.
10. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reinstallation process. This may take some time, so be patient.
11. Once the reinstallation is finished, your Mac will restart and you can set it up as a new device. This means you will need to go through the initial setup process, create a new user account, and configure your preferences.
It’s important to note that resetting your Mac to factory settings will erase all data on your main hard drive. Therefore, it’s crucial to back up any important files or data before proceeding with these steps. Additionally, this method may not work if your Mac has FileVault enabled or if it is linked to an Apple ID with Activation Lock enabled.
Remember to exercise caution and ensure you have a backup of your important files before proceeding with these steps.