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As we are all aware, every digital device needs maintenance and renewal once in a while. That is why, when your Mac starts to lag, crash or simply behave erratically, you may have to go for the ultimate solution; a factory reset. This will clear your device of any junk data, malware or software-related bugs. However, it may pose a challenge to users who have never reset their Mac before. This piece aims to answer your questions regarding a factory reset, teach you how to do it on your Mac Catalina and highlight some tips that can help make it a success.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of How to Factory Reset My Mac Catalina
Unlike other Mac models, a factory reset with Mac Catalina has been modified. It includes Recovery Mode, or more accurately, macOS Utilities screen, and the new Disk Utility app. The macOS Utilities screen has a Window-like interface, which will make users in this ecosystem feel more at home. This process can be nerve-racking, especially for novice users. You may lose your data if you don’t do it right. Therefore, thorough preparation is a must.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before starting the factory reset, it is important to prepare some items. These include:
– Ensure your Mac is connected to a reliable power source.
– Make data backups which may include your entire Mac or just your valued contents like photos, music files, videos, and documents. Consider using Time Machine, iCloud, or other third-party backup software.
– Ensure you have downloaded and saved bootable USB installer of your version of macOS.
– Disconnect any peripheral device, such as printers, iPhone, hard drive, or any USB devices so that it becomes easy to start the factory reset.
Method 1: Via Recovery Mode
You can effortlessly factory reset your Mac Catalina by using Recovery Mode. Follow the steps below:
1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Power on your Mac again by pressing the button, then press and hold down Command-R.
3. Release the keys when you see the Apple logo. It will greet you with "macOS Utilities" window.
4. From the given list of options, click on the "Disk Utility" option.
5. Click on the "Continue" button, then look for your bootable startup disk on the left-hand side.
6. Click and choose the "Erase" option.
7. Name the disk and select the format under the Format section.
8. Click on "Erase" again, which will erase all data on the startup disk.
9. Close the Disk Utility app and return to the main macOS Utilities window.
10. Click on the "Reinstall macOS" option and then click Continue.
11. Follow the prompts to install macOS back on your device.
Pros:
– Simple to follow and quick process
– You don’t need third-party apps
– It is an easy way to recover your macOS system if anything goes wrong
Cons:
– You may be frustrated if the macOS Utilities fail to load.
– You may lose your files if you haven’t done a backup.
Method 2: Via Internet Recovery Mode
You can use this method if your Mac lacks any system recovery partition on its hard drive, or you removed it. Follow the steps below:
1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Power on your Mac again by pressing the button, then press and hold down Command-Option-R. The device will present the globe bouncing symbol that shows that it is starting up on the internet.
3. Release the keys when you see the Startup Manager window.
4. Choose your Wi-Fi network from the list of available networks.
5. Type your network password and wait, macOS Utilities will eventually load.
6. Choose the "Reinstall macOS" option from the listed options in the macOS Utilities window.
7. Follow the prompts to have the latest macOS version installed back in your device.
Pros:
– This method is highly convenient for all Mac users.
– You can use wireless internet to reinstall macOS.
– It is very effective for the majority of restores when faced with a failed system or storage issue.
Cons:
– Installing macOS from the internet recovery mode is more time-consuming compared to other methods.
– The success of this method depends on your internet connection.
Method 3: Via CleanMyMac X
CleanMyMac X is a popular macOS cleaning app that can also facilitate a factory reset on your Mac Catalina. It can simplify the process and save you time by automatically:
1. Scanning your system for malware, cache, and unnecessary files, photos, and emails.
2. Displaying a list of useless files for removal.
3. Removing files you want to delete.
4. Uninstalling apps easily.
To reset your Mac using CleanMyMac X, follow these steps:
1. Download and launch the CleanMyMac X program.
2. Select the "Free Up Space" option.
3. Click on the "Re-install macOS" option or the "Erase" option.
4. Follow the prompts given.
5. Once the process is finished, you will have a fresh and clean macOS system.
Pros:
– It includes a lot of features that can make the reset process smoother and stress-free.
– It’s easy and user-friendly interface.
– It combines more than one tool into an easy-to-use app.
Cons:
– The Reset button is hidden.
– It is not a free tool, and you have to pay to use it fully.
Why Can’t I Factory Reset My Mac Catalina?
One possible reason why you cannot reset your Mac Catalina may be due to the mounting of your hard drive. You can fix this by following the steps listed under method one. Another common reason is a problem with the Recovery partition. If you suspect this may be the issue, try the internet recovery mode mentioned under Method 2.
Additional Tips
It is essential to know that you can only reset your Mac Catalina using the same version of the macOS that it was previously running on. This means you must back up data before resetting and make sure to use the same backup when needed.
5 FAQs about How to Factory Reset My Mac Catalina
Q1: Can I Reset My Mac Catalina Without Losing Data?
A: No, resetting your Mac Catalina deletes all data in the hard drive and installs a fresh copy of macOS.
Q2: Can I Use any macOS Disk Installer for Reset?
A: No, you can only use macOS disk installers specific to your Mac Catalina version.
Q3: How Long Does It Take to Factory Reset a Mac Catalina?
A: Well, this can vary depending on the storage size and speed, but it typically takes 30 minutes to two hours.
Q4: What Happens to My macOS Serial Number After I Reset?
A: The serial number and activation date remain the same because you reinstall the same version.
Q5: Can I Get My Deleted Data after a Factory Reset?
A: This is dependant on whether you backed up your data or not. If you did, you can restore your system with the backup data.
In Conclusion
A factory reset is not only a helpful tool to ensure your Mac runs smoothly, but it’s also crucial when it comes to maintaining the health and performance of your device. The process is quite daunting, but with the above methods, you can now carry out the task easily and effectively. It would be best to follow the tips given and the instructions to avoid losing your data. Finally, if you have any questions, especially concerning data backup, do not hesitate to ask a specialist or seek help from Apple support.{"@context":"https://schema.org”,"@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":" Can I Reset My Mac Catalina Without Losing Data?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" No, resetting your Mac Catalina deletes all data in the hard drive and installs a fresh copy of macOS."}},{"@type":"Question","name":" Can I Use any macOS Disk Installer for Reset?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" No, you can only use macOS disk installers specific to your Mac Catalina version."}},{"@type":"Question","name":" How Long Does It Take to Factory Reset a Mac Catalina?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" Well, this can vary depending on the storage size and speed, but it typically takes 30 minutes to two hours."}},{"@type":"Question","name":" What Happens to My macOS Serial Number After I Reset?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" The serial number and activation date remain the same because you reinstall the same version."}},{"@type":"Question","name":" Can I Get My Deleted Data after a Factory Reset?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" This is dependant on whether you backed up your data or not. If you did, you can restore your system with the backup data."}}]}
