Resetting Mac to factory with FileVault enabled

[ProfessorBong]

I want to sell my Mac Pro 7,1 with Monterey 12.6.6 installed. As I understand, the new "Erase All Content and Settings" feature is the best and easiest way to go, as described on the Apple support page. It will reset the T2 chip, thus making all my data on the SSD inaccessible.

Now my question: FileVault is enabled on my SSD. Do I need to disable it before I proceed, or is that not needed since the T2 chip is getting a full reset anyway? I just want to make sure the buyer will not face a password prompt when he tries to set up the Mac.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Fishrrman]

I have never used filevault, ever (35 years of Mac use).

I would DISABLE it first.
Then... use "erase all content and settings".

Reason why:
Macs don't come "out-of-the-box" with filevault enabled.
Whether or not to use it is up to the individual user.
Again, I'd disable it FIRST and then proceed with "the erase"...
(but that's just me)

 

[Mike Boreham]

I would DISABLE it first.
Then... use "erase all content and settings".

I would also be inclined to disable FV before erase all content, though I suspect it is not necessary.

Macs don't come "out-of-the-box" with filevault enabled.

This is a bit moot because Macs don't come with any user account at all.

Setup Assistant creates the first user and the default option is to have FileVault enabled. You have to uncheck the boxes if you don't want it.

 

[Fishrrman]

Mike wrote:
"Setup Assistant creates the first user and the default option is to have FileVault enabled. You have to uncheck the boxes if you don't want it."

I have NEVER seen this in my Mac experiences.
Not once.

 

[haralds]

Be sure to sign out of all Apple accounts first. Also, disable Find My and sign out of iCloud. Otherwise, your buyer will not be able to use your system.
More here: What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac.

 

[Mike Boreham]

Mike wrote:
"Setup Assistant creates the first user and the default option is to have FileVault enabled. You have to uncheck the boxes if you don't want it."

I have NEVER seen this in my Mac experiences.
Not once.

That is odd! I dont know whether it applies to all mac models or which OSes.

I have come across people who are so used to skipping through the SetupAssistant screens that they miss this and end up with FV, and then wonder why. Obvs doesn’t apply to you since you dont have FV enabled.

 

[Mike Boreham]

That is odd! I dont know whether it applies to all mac models or which OSes.

I just did some test installs on my M2 MBA.

First I installed Monterey on the Internal drive and got the FV options screen.

Then I installed Ventura on the Internal drive and did not get the FV options screen, and FV was not on.

One interpretation is that the FV options screen has been dropped in Ventura.

 

[yellowhelicopter]

Be sure to sign out of all Apple accounts first. Also, disable Find My and sign out of iCloud. Otherwise, your buyer will not be able to use your system.

That's not needed anymore. "Erase All Content and Settings" feature was implemented exactly to eliminate necessity of such actions. It returns the system to the "just from the factory" state.