Need to exchange laptop, how do I erase everything before I send it back?

[Ckar]

Is there a built in program in OS X that does it or will I need to use an external program? I don't want anyone to find my passwords or data.

 

[balamw]

Apple provides this article:

What to do before selling or giving away your Mac

B

 

[ducatiti]

I'm the pro on this. Easiest way for me:

1. Create another admin account with a generic name
2. Log in new account and delete the other user/s with the option of deleting home folder.
3. Done

Don't use secured erase. It will take forever. Deauthorize any iphone devices as well.

 

[Astroboy907]

I'm the pro on this. Easiest way for me:

1. Create another admin account with a generic name
2. Log in new account and delete the other user/s with the option of deleting home folder.
3. Done

Don't use secured erase. It will take forever. Deauthorize any iphone devices as well.

There is a reason to use secured erase- it completely deletes your files. Just deleting the home folder deletes the references to the files I think, so all your files are still there and can be accessed using a disk recovery program.

 

[balamw]

There is a reason to use secured erase- it completely deletes your files.

FWIW Secure Erase isn't an option for many SSD based Macs.

B

 

[m98custom1212]

Format and Re install OSX

 

[Dovahkiing]

I'm the pro on this. Easiest way for me:

1. Create another admin account with a generic name
2. Log in new account and delete the other user/s with the option of deleting home folder.
3. Done

Don't use secured erase. It will take forever. Deauthorize any iphone devices as well.

This will not erase your data. This will mark the space as free, but it will not actually erase the files. Using this method, your data is still easily recoverable. As per Astroboy's comment: There is a reason it's called a secure erase.

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Format and Re install OSX

Again, as per OPs request, this will NOT permanently erase data.

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https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-5521

 

[MacSumo]

Don't trust apple.

You should fill up your entire hard drive with random data multiple times.

That'll wipe 95% of the drive, while leaving any host allocated spaces reserved. Only a sata erase command will do the trick.

 

[burgman]

Don't trust apple.

You should fill up your entire hard drive with random data multiple times.

That'll wipe 95% of the drive, while leaving any host allocated spaces reserved. Only a sata erase command will do the trick.

Trust Apple article posted by Balamw
Distrust newbie advice.

 

[MacSumo]

Trust Apple article posted by Balamw
Distrust newbie advice.

Are you kidding me? Apple doesn't even recommending zeroing the drive. Read up on my quality advice. Any forensic analyst will confirm the need to wipe a drive before selling it.