I want to reset MacOS as "cleanly" as possible

[denisch]

I want to reset MacOS as "cleanly" as possible. If I do this via DFU using another Mac, would that be "cleaner" than formatting the SSD via disk utility and installing macOS? Or is there no difference?

No kidding, I have OCD and it is important for me to understand that my laptop will go to the buyer as cleanly as possible.

 

[brookter1]

Which Mac, and which MacOS?

On Monterey/Ventura and Apple Silicon / Macs with a T2 chip, there's a specific setting in System Settings "Erase All Content and Settings" which completely erases any of your content to leave you with an entirely fresh installation. This is the method to use if it's available to you.

You'll have to check whether this command is available on your combination of OS and device. This page should help you to decide: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT212749

HTH.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

What @brookter1 said. And just to placate any OSD tendencies... macOS Big Sur, Monterey & Ventura use a secured "System Volume" that can't be altered. "Erase all" is just as good as a reinstall.

 

[Fishrrman]

Tell us WHICH Mac you have.

If it's Apple Silicon, use the "erase all content and settings" option in System Preferences.
That should wipe it "as clean as it's going to get"...

 

[bogdanw]

I want to reset MacOS as "cleanly" as possible. If I do this via DFU using another Mac, would that be "cleaner" than formatting the SSD via disk utility and installing macOS? Or is there no difference?

Assuming you are talking about an Apple Silicon Mac, yes, DFU is “cleaner” than formatting the SSD.
All other options do not completely erase the internal storage.

 

[brookter1]

Assuming you are talking about an Apple Silicon Mac, yes, DFU is “cleaner” than formatting the SSD.
All other options do not completely erase the internal storage.

Erase All Content and Settings removes everything but the securely encrypted system disk, which can't be tampered with anyway. What advantage is there to using another longer and more complicated process than the one Apple recommends?

 

[anshuvorty]

Erase All Content and Settings removes everything but the securely encrypted system disk, which can't be tampered with anyway. What advantage is there to using another longer and more complicated process than the one Apple recommends?

Yup. Unless a nation-state targets you, use Erase All Content and Settings.

 

[denisch]

Yes, I have an Apple Silicon computer. Thanks everyone for the replies.
Of course, I'm not a spy, but I was interested in DFU because of the need to sell a laptop. Thank you!

 

[chabig]

I was interested in DFU because of the need to sell a laptop.

That will work, but it's a waste of time. Reset All Content and Settings!

 

[NoBoMac]

Ditto “Erase All Content and Settings”.

Will add: M Macs encrypt all data on the drive, so when erase is used, the randomly generated encryption keys get erased as well, making the data unreadable. And as @brookter1 pointed out, OS is in a sealed/protected volume and does not contain any user information or user installed programs: it‘s purely OS as-is from Apple (can think of it as bootable install media).