Can I use a Mac without an Apple ID?

[lsquare]

I know I won't be able to download apps from the App Store without an Apple ID. That's fine. I'll just install apps the traditional way. I just don't know if I can use a Mac normally by setting it up and reformatting or doing a secure erase to factory condition without an Apple ID.

Is it possible?

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Yes, just bypass the AppleID option when setting up the machine from scratch. A lot easier than Windows where you have to trick it into a local account.

 

[lsquare]

Yes, just bypass the AppleID option when setting up the machine from scratch. A lot easier than Windows where you have to trick it into a local account.

What about doing a factory reset? On the iPhone, I need an Apple ID to disable Find My. Obviously, I won't be able to set up Find My without an Apple ID, but the Mac Mini will be at home where it's nice and secure. No need to be that secure about the physical security.

 

[chabig]

There is no need to factory reset a new Mac.

 

[BigBlur]

What about doing a factory reset? On the iPhone, I need an Apple ID to disable Find My.

This is because you must have signed in earlier and enabled Find My on your iPhone, which also turns on Activation Lock. If you didn't have Find My enabled, you can factory reset your iPhone without needing an Apple ID. But that also means anyone could wipe and use your phone if it were to get stolen. The same thing applies to the Mac.

You can certainly use a Mac without an Apple ID, but you'll miss out on a lot of features that make the Apple ecosystem great...iPhone Mirroring, notifications from iPhone on Mac, Sidecar, Universal Clipboard, Universal Control, FaceTime, iMessage, text message forwarding, etc. And then of course all the iCloud features to sync things between devices....passwords, bookmarks, notes, reminders, photos, calendar, contacts, etc.

 

[lsquare]

There is no need to factory reset a new Mac.

I know, but over time I’ll want to replace it with a newer Mac.

 

[lsquare]

This is because you must have signed in earlier and enabled Find My on your iPhone, which also turns on Activation Lock. If you didn't have Find My enabled, you can factory reset your iPhone without needing an Apple ID. But that also means anyone could wipe and use your phone if it were to get stolen. The same thing applies to the Mac.

You can certainly use a Mac without an Apple ID, but you'll miss out on a lot of features that make the Apple ecosystem great...iPhone Mirroring, notifications from iPhone on Mac, Sidecar, Universal Clipboard, Universal Control, FaceTime, iMessage, text message forwarding, etc. And then of course all the iCloud features to sync things between devices....passwords, bookmarks, notes, reminders, photos, calendar, contacts, etc.

That’s fine. That’s sort of what I’ll use the iPad for. So just do the factory reset and it won’t ask me for an AID since I didn’t set it up during the install?

 

[MayflyMaven]

I know, but over time I’ll want to replace it with a newer Mac.

Then you'll use System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings, and you won't have to deal with the steps to log out of your AppleID account or disable Find My, because that won't be set up on your Mac. "Erase All Content and Settings" is the modern equivalent to a factory reset.

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