• How Do You Go Back On A Macbook Air
• How Do I Go Back On A Mac

Sep 08,2020 • Filed to: Mac Recovery • Proven solutions

If Finder on your Mac or iTunes on your Windows PC doesn't launch automatically, launch it manually. ITunes will detect your device in recovery mode and ask you what you want to do. Note: in macOS Mojave and older, your device will connect to iTunes instead of Finder. Click Restore on the Finder popup. Click Restore and Update to confirm. I's an image of your existing HD. To downgrade from Catalina, you'll need to backup all your files, then clean install the older version of MacOS and copy your data back to the mac. All your apps will need to be reinstalled as well, so don't lose the validation keys, etc. Tip: The 64-bit version is installed by default unless Office detects you already have a 32-bit version of Office (or a stand-alone Office app such as Project or Visio) installed.In this case, the 32-bit version of Office will be installed instead. To change from a 32-bit version to a 64-bit version or vice versa, you need to uninstall Office first (including any stand-alone Office apps you.

A situation may come along where you need to give your Mac computer to someone close to you, sell the computer, or recover it after a disastrous crash or malfunction. Knowing how to restore Mac to factory settings comes in handy since you will essentially return the computer to the state it was in when you bought it.

This process involves wiping out all data from your computer, and then reinstalling MacOS. However, you may also need to recover files from a damaged partition and this guide will show you some tools to help you do this with ease, speed and security.

Part 1: Why Do You Need to Restore Mac to Factory Settings?

There are several reasons to restore you Mac to factory settings and some of these are

• Selling the Mac: you do not want the buyer to access your Apple information as this would compromise your security
• Giving away the Mac: At times you may want to give away the Mac to a family member, friend, or charitable organization. You also need your security information erased from the Mac
• Malfunctioning Mac: When it begins to malfunction, restoring to factory settings and reinstalling the MacOS is the best way to go.

Part 2: Things to Do Before You Restore Mac to Factory Settings

There are certain things that you should do before resetting your Mac to factory settings. These help you keep your data for use on another Mac or the same one once you reinstall MacOS. Here is how you go about it:

1. Backup your important data

You can back up your data to a new Mac or an external storage device using Time Machine or other third-party Mac backup tools such as SuperDuper or Carbon Copy Cloner.

2. Deauthorize iTunes/iCloud

Your computer is authorized to work on iTunes and iCloud using Apple Accounts. If you are giving away your Mac or selling it, you need to deauthorize it from both iTunes and iCloud.

So, your account cannot be used by another person to purchase and download content from iTunes, or access files that you have stored on iCloud. This is a basic security measure that you must do when restoring Mac to factory settings.

Deauthorize iTunes:

• For iTunes 12: Enter your iTunes and click on Account > Authorizations > De-authorize This Computer. Input your Apple ID and Password before finally clicking on De-authorize.
• For older iTunes versions: Simply click on Store > Deauthorize This Computer.

Deauthorize iCloud:

Deauthorizing iCloud is a matter of logging in and deleting all files and crucial information. Follow these steps:

1. Open System Preferences and then select iCloud, and click on the Sign Out option.
2. You will be presented with a window listing the following: iCloud Drive, Contacts, Calendars, Reminders.
3. Deselect each of these and then click on Continue (Older MacOS versions will display Delete From Mac).
4. iCloud will inform you that it wants to update before you sign out.
5. For MacBook Pro/Air, confirm removal of payment details. All Apple Pay information will be wiped out when you sign out.
6. Enter your Apple ID and sign out of iCloud. Wait for a while as iCloud wipes out all data on your Mac.

3. Sign out of iMessage

You must sign out of iMessage before restoring Mac to factory settings. Go to the message app and then follow this path:

• Messages > Preferences and finally click on Accounts.
• Select the iMessage and Apple Mail accounts and then click on Sign Out.

4. Turn off FireVault

FireVault is the utility that encrypts data on your hard drive. You will be getting rid of the files anyway, so security is no longer an issue.

1. Open System Preferences, then click on Security & Privacy and finally select the FireVault tab.
2. You may also click on the padlock icon at the bottom left side of your screen and then enter your user name and password to unlock.
3. Now select Turn off FireVault, enter your user name and password again and then wait for FireVault to decrypt any encrypted files on the Mac.

5. Erase Touch Bar Data

This is only applicable to Macs with the Touch Bar, such as MacBook Pro

• Reboot the Mac into recovery mode using CMD + R.
• On the MacOS Utilities screen, select the pull down menu entitled Utilities and then click on Terminal.
• Now type the following on the Command Line before hitting Return.
• xartutil –erase-all, when asked to proceed, type Yes.
• Finally pull down the Apple Menu and then select Restart in order to reboot the Mac in the normal fashion. The Touch Bar data will be erased when the Mac reboots.

Part 3: How to Restore Mac to Factory Settings without Losing Data?

Sometimes you may need to restore to factory setting simply to reinstall MacOS and do not want to lose any data on the computer. Here is how you go about it:

1. Restart Mac in Recovery Mode

Ssh tunnel 15 11 download free. Restart the computer and long-press the CMD + R buttons until you see the Apple logo. Release the keys and your computer will boot into recovery mode.

2. Erase Mac hard drive

When in recovery mode, the typical login screen is not displayed. You will be presented with the MacOS Utilities window, where you will choose the desired option.

• In this case, select Disk Utility and then click on Continue, and choose your hard disk and click on Erase.
• Now select the MacOS Extended (Journaled) option as the format. Click on Erase once more.
• The process will take some time, so wait till it is completed then go back to the Disk Utility menu at the top of the screen and quit Disk Utility. The hard disk will be erased while conserving crucial data.

3. Reinstall MacOS operating system

You hard disk has been erased and is ready for a clean install of MacOS. This can be done while still in recovery mode. How to download heroes of the storm on mac.

• If you had switched off the computer, start it in recovery mode using CMD + R.
• Access the MacOS Utilities window and finally select Reinstall MacOS.

Let the operating system get reinstalled and your Mac will be clean from any errors that may have plagued it before.

Part 4: How to Recover Lost Data on Mac after Reset

1. Use Recoverit to recover lost data [Recommended]

Alt option key mac. Recoverit for Mac is a versatile tool that is used to recover data that has been accidentally deleted or lost due to another event such as a virus attack. This tool is easy to use, and comes with powerful recovery features that will aid in getting your crucial files back, if you did not create a backup earlier.

Recoverit

Powerful Mac Data Recovery Software!

• Fast Recovery – saves you time in that it works faster than other recovery tools.
• Recover 1000+ file types – No matter what format your files have, this tool can recover them and show you previews while doing so.
• Versatile recovery tool - It can restore files from SD Cards, External hard disk, another computer or the current hard disk drive.
• Recover data from a crashed computer – should a virus attack crash your computer, you can still recover your crucial files and data.
• Selective recovery – save time by selecting the particular files or file formats that you need to recover.

Below is the step-by-step guide to restore MacBook Pro using Recoverit for Mac.

Step 1Download, install and launch Recoverit for Mac.

Install Recoverit Data recovery for Mac by accessing the official download page and downloading the installer. Double-click to install, and then launch the program.

Step 2Select the partition to recover files from.

You will be presented with a list of partitions on your hard disk. Choose the one where your lost files were located and click on Start. How to install parallels 15 on mac.

If you do not see any external hard disks listed and yet they are connected to the Mac, click on the Refresh icon found right next to the External Removable Device option in order to have it listed.

Step 3Select the files to be recovered and complete the recovery process.

Upon clicking on Start, Recoverit for Mac will begin scanning the selected partition for lost files. The size of the partition determines how much scanning time is required.

After scanning the results will show you a list of recoverable files. Each will have a validity indicator, which shows whether they can be retrieved or not.

You may select all retrievable files or choose particular ones. It is also possible to retrieve a particular file format e.g. jpg if you want jpeg pictures alone.

When restoring lost files, you should use another partition or external storage device as a destination for the restored files. If the partition you are scanning has been damaged, the restored files may get corrupted. Choose to preview files when you want to retrieve them individually instead of batch retrieval.

Tips:

• The inbuilt scanner is great when you want to find a particular file format and helps in speeding up the scanning process.
• If the first scan does not find certain files, you have the option of performing a deep scan to find them.
• Save the scan results in case you need to do another scan of the same partition in future.

2. Recover data with the Time Machine backup

You can use a Time Machine backup, created earlier, to restore lost files on your Mac:

1. Switch on your Mac after connecting the Time Machine backup disk or device.

• If you are asked to enter your Country, Keyboard or Network when you start the Mac, move on to step (ii).
• If your Mac enter the Finder, access the Applications folder, and then go to Utilities folder and click on the Migration Assistant. Click Continue before proceeding to step 2.
• If start up fails completely or you are prompted to restore the MacOS, follow the on-screen instructions to restore both the MacOS and files.

2. Decide the backup device

You should now decide on the backup device from where you want to restore your files from. The Mac Migration Assistant will give you certain options for transferring your files.

3. Start backup

Select From a Mac, Time Machine backup or startup disk and then click on Continue.

4. Choose the backed up file

You will be presented with a list of backups on the Time Machine backup disk. Choose the backup with the latest time and date and then click on Continue.

5. Choose the backed up file

From the list of data categories, choose the preferred category and then click on Continue. This will begin the transfer or restoration of files from the Time Machine backup disk.

Restoring from a Time Machine backup disk can take a long while, depending on the number of files you are transferring. Once complete, restart the Mac and then enter the migrated account to find the restored files.

In Conclusion

When giving away your Mac, selling it or repairing a corrupt MacOS, you need to restore the Mac to factory settings. This is one way of cleaning your computer so it assumes the condition it was in when you first purchased it.

However, there is information that you need to remove from the computer other than your files and applications. Data from iCloud, iTunes, Touch Bar, Apple Payments and others should also be removed from the computer. This is why you need to perform deauthorization from iCloud and iTunes.

Finally, if you want to restore your files from a backup, you can use a Time Machine backup, and if you didn't have a backup, get Recoverit for Mac and restore the files from your damaged hard disk.

Optimized Storage helps you save storage space space by storing your content in iCloud and making it available on demand: 3d magnetic field simulation software free.

• When storage space is needed, files, photos, movies, email attachments, and other files that you seldom use are stored in iCloud automatically.
• Each file stays right where you last saved it, and downloads when you open it.
• Files that you’ve used recently remain on your Mac, along with optimized versions of your photos.

If you haven't yet upgraded to macOS Sierra or later, learn about other ways to free up storage space.

Find out how much storage is available on your Mac

Choose Apple menu  > About This Mac, then click Storage. Each segment of the bar is an estimate of the storage space used by a category of files. Move your pointer over each segment for more detail.

Click the Manage button to open the Storage Management window, pictured below.

Manage storage on your Mac

The Storage Management window offers recommendations for optimizing your storage. If some recommendations are already turned on, you will see fewer recommendations.

Store in iCloud

Click the Store in iCloud button, then choose from these options:

• Desktop and Documents. Store all files from these two locations in iCloud Drive. When storage space is needed, only the files you recently opened are kept on your Mac, so that you can easily work offline. Files stored only in iCloud show a download icon , which you can double-click to download the original file. Learn more about this feature.
  
• Photos. Store all original, full-resolution photos and videos in iCloud Photos. When storage space is needed, only space-saving (optimized) versions of photos are kept on your Mac. To download the original photo or video, just open it.
  
• Messages. Store all messages and attachments in iCloud. When storage space is needed, only the messages and attachments you recently opened are kept on your Mac. Learn more about Messages in iCloud.

Storing files in iCloud uses the storage space in your iCloud storage plan. If you reach or exceed your iCloud storage limit, you can either buy more iCloud storage or make more iCloud storage available. iCloud storage starts at 50GB for $0.99 (USD) a month, and you can purchase additional storage directly from your Apple device. Learn more about prices in your region.

Optimize Storage

Click the Optimize button to save space by automatically removing watched movies and TV shows. When storage space is needed, movies or TV shows that you purchased from Apple and already watched are removed from your Mac. Click the download icon next to a movie or TV show to download it again.

Your Mac will also save space by keeping only recent email attachments on this Mac when storage space is needed. You can manually download any attachments at any time by opening the email or attachment, or saving the attachment to your Mac.

Optimizing storage for movies, TV shows, and email attachments doesn't require iCloud storage space.

Empty Trash Automatically

Empty Trash Automatically permanently deletes files that have been in the Trash for more than 30 days.

Reduce Clutter

Reduce Clutter helps you identify large files and files you might no longer need. Click the Review Files button, then choose any of the file categories in the sidebar, such as Applications, Documents, Music Creation, or Trash.

You can delete the files in some categories directly from this window. Other categories show the total storage space used by the files in each app. You can then open the app and decide whether to delete files from within it.

Learn how to redownload apps, music, movies, TV shows, and books.

Where to find the settings for each feature

The button for each recommendation in the Storage Management window affects one or more settings in other apps. You can also control those settings directly within each app.

• If you're using macOS Catalina or later, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, click Apple ID, then select iCloud in the sidebar: Store in iCloud turns on the Optimize Mac Storage setting on the right. To turn off iCloud Drive entirely, deselect iCloud Drive.
• If you're using macOS Mojave or earlier, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click iCloud, then click Options next to iCloud Drive. Store in iCloud turns on the Desktop & Documents Folders and Optimize Mac Storage settings.
• In Photos, choose Photos > Preferences, then click iCloud. Store in iCloud selects iCloud Photos and Optimize Mac Storage.
• In Messages, choose Messages > Preferences, then click iMessage. Store in iCloud selects Enable Messages in iCloud.

• If you're using macOS Catalina or later, open the Apple TV app, choose TV > Preferences from the menu bar, then click Files. Optimize Storage selects “Automatically delete watched movies and TV shows.”
• In you're using macOS Mojave or earlier, open iTunes, choose iTunes > Preferences from the menu bar, then click Advanced. Optimize Storage selects “Automatically delete watched movies and TV shows.”
• In Mail, choose Mail > Preferences from the menu bar, then click Accounts. In the Account Information section on the right, Optimize Storage sets the Download Attachments menu to either Recent or None.

Empty Trash Automatically: From the Finder, choose Finder > Preferences, then click Advanced. Empty Trash Automatically selects “Remove items from the Trash after 30 days.”

Other ways that macOS helps automatically save space

How Do You Go Back On A Macbook Air

With macOS Sierra or later, your Mac automatically takes these additional steps to save storage space:

• Detects duplicate downloads in Safari, keeping only the most recent version of the download
• Reminds you to delete used app installers
• Removes old fonts, languages, and dictionaries that aren't being used
• Clears caches, logs, and other unnecessary data when storage space is needed

How to free up storage space manually

Even without using the Optimized Storage features described in this article, you can take other steps to make more storage space available:

• Music, movies, and other media can use a lot of storage space. Learn how to delete music, movies, and TV shows from your device.
• Delete other files that you no longer need by moving them to the Trash, then emptying the Trash. The Downloads folder is good place to look for files that you might no longer need.
• Move files to an external storage device.
• Compress files.
• Delete unneeded email: In the Mail app, choose Mailbox > Erase Junk Mail. If you no longer need the email in your Trash mailbox, choose Mailbox > Erase Deleted Items.

Learn more

How Do I Go Back On A Mac

• The Storage pane of About This Mac is the best way to determine the amount of storage space available on your Mac. Disk Utility and other apps might show storage categories such as Not Mounted, VM, Recovery, Other Volumes, Free, or Purgeable. Don't rely on these categories to understand how to free up storage space or how much storage space is available for your data.
• When you duplicate a file on an APFS-formatted volume, that file doesn't use additional storage space on the volume. Deleting a duplicate file frees up only the space required by any data you might have added to the duplicate. If you no longer need any copies of the file, you can recover all of the storage space by deleting both the duplicate and the original file.
• If you're using a pro app and Optimize Mac Storage, learn how to make sure that your projects are always on your Mac and able to access their files.