How to erase all content on 2012 iMac?

[silverlakerCA]

Hello,

I've tried the usual methods on my old 2012 that I want Apple to recycle.
But nothing is working as 'usual'.

So I'm wondering if there's a way to use a USB stick for erasing the drive?
Thanks for your help.

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

Hello,

I've tried the usual methods on my old 2012 that I want Apple to recycle.
But nothing is working as 'usual'.

So I'm wondering if there's a way to use a USB stick for erasing the drive?
Thanks for your help.

Yes, you can boot the iMac with a USB installer of the current Mac OS on it.
Then in Disk Utility, format the internal drive for several time.
Then delete the whole volume and create a new volume several time.
Turn off the iMac and plug out the USB installer.
Reboot the iMac to confirm that your erasing work is effective. (a folder with question mark)

 

[Fishrrman]

Will it boot to INTERNET recovery?
This is NOT THE SAME as "the recovery partition".

Do this:
- power off
- press power-on button and IMMEDIATELY hold down
Command-OPTION-R
at boot
- if you connect via wifi, you'll need your wifi password (ethernet is better for this)
- be patient while the utilities load (globe spins)

When you get to the utilities, do this:
- open disk utility
- IF there is a view menu, you must choose "show all devices"
- now look at "the list on the left"
- the topmost item is the physical, internal drive
- click on it and then click "erase"
- format can be "Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format"
- erase should take only a short time.
- if it's going to the recycler, you could choose the security settings and do a "one-pass wipe" with zeros for extra security (this will take longer)

When the erase is done -- IF THIS IS GOING TO RECYCLING -- just reach over and pull the plug out of the wall. It's done.

 

[Isamilis]

Yes, you can boot the iMac with a USB installer of the current Mac OS on it.
Then in Disk Utility, format the internal drive for several time.
Then delete the whole volume and create a new volume several time.
Turn off the iMac and plug out the USB installer.
Reboot the iMac to confirm that your erasing work is effective. (a folder with question mark)

I have done this few times, but probably need to change system date back to around 2012, just to anticipate the installer refuse to install due to time limit.