How to erase hard drive of a water damaged 2019 16" Macbook Pro?

[joyagirl]

My refurbished Macbook Pro (bought 2 weeks ago) fell in a tub of water and is now dead. It wouldn't charge or turn on after 3 days. I'd like to get it fixed but would like to erase the SSD hard drive before handing it over as there are a lot of personal data on it, as I assume the data isn't lost.

How can I do it? Is there something I can do that would void Applecare?

Thank you!

 

[Holes Flow]

My refurbished Macbook Pro (bought 2 weeks ago) fell in a tub of water and is now dead. It wouldn't charge or turn on after 3 days. I'd like to get it fixed but would like to erase the SSD hard drive before handing it over as there are a lot of personal data on it, as I assume the data isn't lost.

@joyagirl,

Your choices are constrained by whether you can remove the SSD or not. Can you specify the model on the bottom of the case? It would be something like Axxxx, where xxxx would be a number, and if you knew the year/model it would help as well. You can enter your serial number on this site and it will tell you lots of things about it: https://everymac.com/ultimate-mac-lookup/

HTH

 

[G5isAlive]

the T2 chip encrypts your SSD on the fly, without your password there is no way to access your data. No worries.

 

[joyagirl]

Wow I see. How hard is it to hack into the hard drive? And do you know what's the likelihood of my ssd drive being permanently damaged by water?

 

[Fishrrman]

Time for a new MacBook Pro.
Suggestion for the future: DO NOT take it into a bathroom AT ANY TIME.

If you're worried about the drive, find someone with a sledgehammer and smash the entire thing into pieces.

 

[chabig]

Wow I see. How hard is it to hack into the hard drive? And do you know what's the likelihood of my ssd drive being permanently damaged by water?

As G5isAlive said, your data is encrypted. There is no way to retrieve it without knowing your password. I would expect a repair shop to ask for your password because they'd need it to test the machine after they complete their work. If they do, and if you want the machine fixed, you'll have to make a decision--give them the password or go with the sledgehammer.

P.S. If you paid with a credit card, you might have some accidental damage insurance from your credit card company. Your computer might also be covered by your personal insurance (homeowner's or renter's) and you'd only have to cover a deductible.