How to reset MacBook M1 Pro to Factory status?

[lightfire]

New 16” MAcBook M1 Pro
I spent 3 days installing software. It was working fine then I guess I installed the wrong piece of software - perhaps “Little Snitch”. Then beach balls when I try to do anything.
When I reboot, It will load several windows, most of which I can quit.
But if I try to get anything to work - beachballitis.

I tried “recovery”. Re-installed Monterey from the recovery menu - same thing as above.

How can I get it back to factory state and start over since I cant open the software? Apple should have a factory reset in the recovery menu.

Is there a terminal command that will download and re-install the operating system to fresh?

 

[JD2015]

Use macOS Recovery on a Mac with Apple silicon

Learn how to use macOS Recovery on a Mac with Apple silicon.

support.apple.com

 

[barkomatic]

I think it's even easier. Go to system preferences and then in the top menu bar select, "erase all content and settings"

 

[lightfire]

I think it's even easier. Go to system preferences and then in the top menu bar select, "erase all content and settings"

If you look at me post you will see that I cant get ANY software to run, including system preferences. Wish I could get there.

 

[Technerd108]

When you went into MacOS recovery did you first erase your ssd or disk? You need to go into disk utility in recovery and erase your hard drive. Then after reboot re-install Monterey. After install you should be good to go. If not it may be more than just a software issue.

Good Luck!

 

[lightfire]

When you went into MacOS recovery did you first erase your ssd or disk? You need to go into disk utility in recovery and erase your hard drive. Then after reboot re-install Monterey. After install you should be good to go. If not it may be more than just a software issue.

Good Luck!

Yeah. I am waiting on a 2 hr download to see if it will work. Also downloading the installation package and gonna put it on a USB stick cause I want to run ALL the software. Beginning to wonder if I should have ordered a 32 gb machine. I have multiple monitors filled up with always on software and about 30 tabs open in browser at same time. But want to find out which package causes it to scramble, so may have to do this again, hence making the USB boot stick makes sense.

 

[Technerd108]

I was going to suggest making a bootable recovery usb drive. It is a good idea. I use Apple beta software and whenever I want to roll back I have to use a usb disk to reinstall the OS.

As far as memory goes what did you get? I am guessing 16gb. I am pretty sure you are okay. It is an expensive upgrade but I imagine a lot of people feel the same way. If you are spending a lot on a machine and going to keep it a while then 32gb might be a good idea.

Memory works more efficiently on these machines but 16gb is NOT 32gb just because it is unified memory but it does make a difference and you do need less ram but some claims are rather exaggerated.

 

[lightfire]

I was going to suggest making a bootable recovery usb drive. It is a good idea. I use Apple beta software and whenever I want to roll back I have to use a usb disk to reinstall the OS.

As far as memory goes what did you get? I am guessing 16gb. I am pretty sure you are okay. It is an expensive upgrade but I imagine a lot of people feel the same way. If you are spending a lot on a machine and going to keep it a while then 32gb might be a good idea.

Memory works more efficiently on these machines but 16gb is NOT 32gb just because it is unified memory but it does make a difference and you do need less ram but some claims are rather exaggerated.

Thanks. My downloads keep crashing - 12 GB and they crash at about 6 GB. Gonna keep at it until it works. We have weird internet access here.

I have a Windows 64GB machine. I guess I wasn't thinking on having so many extra pieces of software. I really want 3 large monitors instead of two, so may return for a MAX version just for that. I don’t need the max, only the 32gb, but this is a mostly desktop replacement and I am used to 3 large monitors - trying to get away from Windows. Not familiar with Apple Mac software, so learning the operating system Is part drag/part fun.

 

[white7561]

New 16” MAcBook M1 Pro
I spent 3 days installing software. It was working fine then I guess I installed the wrong piece of software - perhaps “Little Snitch”. Then beach balls when I try to do anything.
When I reboot, It will load several windows, most of which I can quit.
But if I try to get anything to work - beachballitis.

I tried “recovery”. Re-installed Monterey from the recovery menu - same thing as above.

How can I get it back to factory state and start over since I cant open the software? Apple should have a factory reset in the recovery menu.

Is there a terminal command that will download and re-install the operating system to fresh?

Just reset it in recovery. Go to recovery. And when it Asks for your password. On the top menu bar try checking for options. It should have an option to factory reset it through the recovery. It should reset it without needing an OS reinstall

 

[lightfire]

Just reset it in recovery. Go to recovery. And when it Asks for your password. On the top menu bar try checking for options. It should have an option to factory reset it through the recovery. It should reset it without needing an OS reinstall

Thanks…will look at that - didnt see the menu item when I ran recovery.

I am back up running…got to try a restore form backup.

 

[white7561]

Thanks…will look at that - didnt see the menu item when I ran recovery.

I am back up running…got to try a restore form backup.

Yeh. My last resort is to boot into safe mode. It should be fine. There, go to System Preferences and then use the Factory Reset option. That should be much easier

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I am back up running…"

Sounds like good troubleshooting.
For the benefit of others, can you recall the steps you took to GET back up and running...?

 

[Technerd108]

Since you said you had already re-installed Monterey I figured you needed to do a full erase and re-install. I do not think a reset would have worked for your situation although it is good to know how to do it. I look at the reset much like Windows reset. It can work for minor issues but issues that persist you have to do a re-install and wipe. I am glad you are back up and running!!

You are considering returning your M1 Pro 16" for the M1 Max for more monitor support. This makes sense. If you go up to 32gb ram the Max version with 24gpu cores is only $200 more at that point and in my opinion is worth the extra upgrade for the monitor support as you said plus the extra bandwidth and the extra gpu cores may come in handy in a year or so as the device ages.

 

[Technerd108]

OP wrote:
"I am back up running…"

Sounds like good troubleshooting.
For the benefit of others, can you recall the steps you took to GET back up and running...?

I think he went into MacOS recovery and erased the disk and re-installed Monterey OR he made a bootable USB disk with Monterey and did the same process.

 

[lightfire]

OP wrote:
"I am back up running…"

Sounds like good troubleshooting.
For the benefit of others, can you recall the steps you took to GET back up and running...?

I think he went into MacOS recovery and erased the disk and re-installed Monterey OR he made a bootable USB disk with Monterey and did the same process.

Yes, went into recovery, erased the disk, and re-installed Monterey. Havent yet made a bootable USB disk due to my poor internet - it downloads about 6 GB then crashes - yuk. Still trying as that looks like a good thing to have on hand.

 

[lightfire]

Since you said you had already re-installed Monterey I figured you needed to do a full erase and re-install. I do not think a reset would have worked for your situation although it is good to know how to do it. I look at the reset much like Windows reset. It can work for minor issues but issues that persist you have to do a re-install and wipe. I am glad you are back up and running!!

You are considering returning your M1 Pro 16" for the M1 Max for more monitor support. This makes sense. If you go up to 32gb ram the Max version with 24gpu cores is only $200 more at that point and in my opinion is worth the extra upgrade for the monitor support as you said plus the extra bandwidth and the extra gpu cores may come in handy in a year or so as the device ages.

Yeah, a bit torn in that decision. For much of what I do, especially having the 16” internal monitor, I can get by without having the 3 large one. For a smaller portion of my work, I am very used to the 3 large monitor setup with many multiple windows opened.
Right now, I am up and running and backed up in two ways: Timeline and Acronis.

But, seriously considering the 32GB solution MAX for 3 large monitors. I may have ordered that to start with, but wasn't sure about the 16” versus the 14” Mac. Now I realize the 16” is much preferred over the 14” for my use.