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Reset or Erase Mac data volume only
- Thread starter brsilb
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I can't find reference to it, but I think if you reboot to Apple Silicon Recovery and look under the Apple menu you'll find a reset command.
Edit: It's a new feature of Monterey:
9to5mac.com
Edit: It's a new feature of Monterey:
macOS Monterey includes new ‘erase all contents and settings’ option for resetting your Mac - 9to5Mac
With the release of macOS Monterey this year, Apple will make it easier to restore your Mac. In the System...
9to5mac.com
Erase all Contents and Settings works like a champ here after testing on my 24" M1 using the Monterey RC. I'll certainly use it down the road if I run into an issue I otherwise couldn't fix without erasing the hard drive.
Maybe I'm wrong (not installed Monterey yet) but sounds that this option can fix a user config problem but if the problem lies on OS files (corrupted, not updated, ...) the clean install would still be necessary (in this case go directly with the clean install would save time).
This process only takes five minutes to complete so worth the effort in many cases. I agree it’s not a cure all for all Mac issues but a worthwhile option in my opinion.
It is very unlikely that anything would affect the OS files. Apple has instituted a number of security protections. Since Big Sur, the System volume is cryptographically signed by Apple. Any attempt to modify it will result in system refusing to boot (unless you downgrade securtiy.)
Also, the System volume on the disk is NEVER touched during regular use. During boot, the system volume is copied to a disk image. Anytime the O/S needs to read from the system volume, it reads from the disk image, not the original files. ONLY Apple's installer is authorized to unlock the real system files and update them.
While there is a very small possibility an exploit to bypass the security features, it is much safer than in years past.
Thank you For your explanation... I was more concerned about Apple 'mistakes' like, for example, the old delta vs combo debate (or install 12.0.1 after all the betas). Has the 'clean install' really become obsolete and useless?
No, there is still definitely a place for a clean install. For one, getting a new computer up to date is much faster with a clean install versus EACS and then updating. Especially if you have an M1 and use Apple Configurator.
And, yes, there is always the possibility Apple could issue a bad update or the update itself breaks sometthing important. That would require a complete O/S restore as well.
But, for many people, EACS will be the quickest and best way to reset a computer.
One last question: in your experience, with two M1, the best way to clean install is with the old 'wipe disk' or with apple configurator? (I suppose the answer lies in your quoted answer... but better to be sure). Again, thank you very much!
Oh, Apple Configurator FTW. With my job, I regularly have to test enrollment processes. While I will use EACS for Monterey, I always use AC2 for my Big Sur installations. It is a 5 minutes versus 30 minutes.
One other advantage. Is is much easier to restore any current version. So, I am testing upgrade processes, I can restore an older version of Big Sur. IPSWs are available for almost all versions of Big Sur.
And, both computers do not need to be M1 computers. Only the target computer needs to be M1. I regularly use my 16” Intel to restore my test computers.