what is the absolute best way to totally blank a hard drive?

[wfriedwald]

What is the absolute best way to totally blank a hard drive? That is the question!

If I want to sell an older MacBook Air, how can I make sure all my personal info / data is completely wiped and irretrievable?

Grateful for any suggestions!

Will

 

[chown33]

What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support

Reset your Mac to factory settings to prepare it for a new owner.

support.apple.com

 

[wfriedwald]

thank you! very helpful!

 

[NoBoMac]

If you have FileVault enabled, follow @chown33 link and done.

If FileVault not on, take the time to enable FileVault then follow the instructions by @chown33. This is easiest method, imo, to make sure everything is unreadable and not having to worry about if drive is SSD or HDD, APFS vs HFS+, T2/M or Intel.

 

[wfriedwald]

oh thanks! can you provide me with some additional info re FILEVAULT? - I am not familiar with that - is that an app or a setting or what? thanks again!

 

[NoBoMac]

Protect data on your Mac with FileVault

Turn on FileVault to add an extra layer of security to the encrypted data on your Mac.

support.apple.com

 

[wfriedwald]

thank you again!