Factory reset

[twdawson]

Hi,

I have a MacBook Air 2015 intel.

I have forgotten how to factory reset this to original settings, what I mean by that is I want the version of macOS on that it came with.

Please point me in the right direction with the key combination, currently running Big Sur but that's one upgrade too far as its a bit on the slow side.

hanks

 

[Apple_Robert]

How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

You can use macOS Recovery, your computer's built-in recovery system, to reinstall the Mac operating system. Reinstalling macOS doesn't remove your personal data.

support.apple.com

 

[kibepo73]

With the release of macOS Monterey, Apple made erasing the Mac system easier than ever by adding an Erase All Content and Settings button. If you are using macOS Monterey, then follow the below steps to quickly erase all content and settings on your Mac system:

However, before you consider erasing any content, you should first back up all of your important data. Luckily, Time Machine is one of the best tools for backing up your Mac. Once your data is safe and secure, you can follow the below steps to erase all content and settings on your Mac:

1. Launch System Preferences.
2. Click System Preferences in the menu bar and select Erase All Content and Settings.
3. Enter your admin password when prompted.
4. Click Continue to confirm that all items will be erased.
5. Enter your Apple ID and password if prompted to sign out.
6. Click Erase All Content & Settings to begin the process.

In case you are using a lower version than macOS Monterey; then you can restore factory resetting on your Mac using the Disk Utility feature.

Hope it helps!

 

[njvm]

As far as I am aware, @kibepo73 suggestion is only applicable to computers with Apple Silicon. These are the instructions for Intel machines.

Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac – Apple Support (AU)

How to erase (format) the built-in startup disk of an Intel-based Mac.

support.apple.com

 

[Yebubbleman]

Hi,

I have a MacBook Air 2015 intel.

I have forgotten how to factory reset this to original settings, what I mean by that is I want the version of macOS on that it came with.

Please point me in the right direction with the key combination, currently running Big Sur but that's one upgrade too far as its a bit on the slow side.

hanks

Restart the computer while holding the Command, Option, Shift, and R keys until you see a spinning globe; assuming you are not using a Thunderbolt 1/2 to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter (or a USB 3.0 (USB-A) to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter) with a wired connection to the Internet, enter your Wi-Fi network details, and it will boot to the macOS recovery mode of the oldest supported and available operating system for that Mac. You can then use Disk Utility to wipe the drive and then "Reinstall macOS" to reinstall that version of macOS.

As far as I am aware, @kibepo73 suggestion is only applicable to computers with Apple Silicon. These are the instructions for Intel machines.

Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac – Apple Support (AU)

How to erase (format) the built-in startup disk of an Intel-based Mac.

support.apple.com

It'll also work on Intel Macs that have the T2 Security Chip as well. However, it will only work if the Mac is running macOS Monterey. Something similar exists in "System Settings" in Ventura, but, like all things pertinent to System Settings, it's in a different place than before.

 

[twdawson]

Thanks for the replies and I have it sorted now.