How to Erase & Reset any Mac to Factory Settings ║ macOS Catalina

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  • Опубликовано: 3 окт 2024
  • This is a video on how to perform a hard reset and factory restore on any Mac running MacOS Catalina. I show you 2 methods to reset your Apple iMac to factory settings.
    Steps
    1. Power off the iMac
    2. Power it on and hold "Command" key and "S" key at the same time.
    3. Hold until the black screen with all the coding appears.
    4. Type in the following
    mount -uw / (hit Enter)
    rm /var/db/.applesetupdone (hit Enter)
    shutdown -h now (hit Enter)
    5. The iMac will power off, so just power it back on.
    6. Congrats if you got this far your iMac should have been reset.
    Disclaimer - A factory data reset both hard or soft will erase all of your personal information on your device and return it to its out of the box state. You are doing this factory data wipe/reset on your device at your own risk. We are not responsible for any problems or technical difficulties caused from trying these techniques.
    Instagram - / serg.tech
    Things I use in this video
    Camera: amzn.to/2DuPJbV
    Microphone: amzn.to/2DWnDTV
    Lighting Kit: amzn.to/2DqOKoI
    Video Editor: www.kqzyfj.com/...
    Disclosure: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!

Комментарии • 235

  • @dumpmuch
    @dumpmuch Год назад +40

    Thank you for not starting the video with a story that you like to use NordVPN or how you lost your viginity. Just straight to the point. Thanks!

  • @cookiebaker09
    @cookiebaker09 3 месяца назад +1

    I couldn’t get the Command S to work but the Command R fix worked like a charm. It’s like a new computer! Yay. Thank you!

    • @SergTech
      @SergTech  3 месяца назад

      Great to hear!

  • @mrsavaa6110
    @mrsavaa6110 3 года назад +49

    My screen doesn’t go to the max OS utilities when I try and reset it..

    • @nyoon690
      @nyoon690 2 года назад +11

      Same it just boots up normally

    • @Blcxxd
      @Blcxxd Год назад +5

      Same

    • @Thomas11J
      @Thomas11J Год назад +3

      Does it show a padlock?

    • @rockomafia2493
      @rockomafia2493 Год назад +1

      @@Thomas11J mine does?

    • @dexrose6560
      @dexrose6560 Год назад +3

      From what i gather its something to do with the keyboard. Needs to be a Mac keyboard otherwise the control command doesn’t work. That’s from my understanding. Had the same issue

  • @nshontellp
    @nshontellp 4 года назад +18

    Oh my goodness, Thankyou so much!!! I was unable to reset my old iMac which I wanted to pass on to my brother. Thanks to this video I used the second option and it reset fine. Many Thanks!!!

  • @dee1251
    @dee1251 Год назад +3

    Command and r doesn’t work and the other method command s still takes me to the password page. Any solutions please ?

  • @tingyu6087
    @tingyu6087 4 месяца назад

    Worked for me at the first try! Thank you! ❤

    • @SergTech
      @SergTech  4 месяца назад

      Glad it helped!

  • @safaalmarzoky
    @safaalmarzoky 6 месяцев назад +1

    I did the first method (command R) and the first part was fine then when I try to reinstall I cant find any disk to use. What should I do now?

  • @johnnyboybites6320
    @johnnyboybites6320 17 дней назад

    BRO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!

  • @yhdugasr
    @yhdugasr Год назад

    Awesome thanks, spent an hour trying then found this. Had to replay the commamd line lots of times though.

  • @jackdearborn8275
    @jackdearborn8275 4 года назад +5

    Single User Mode doesn't stop for me, it just finishes then goes to the login screen. Never lets me type anything in.

    • @DanukaNavoda-ec7ql
      @DanukaNavoda-ec7ql 3 месяца назад

      Same problem don't know why. It keeps not letting me type

  • @faiasher6138
    @faiasher6138 4 года назад +4

    rm /var/db/.applesetupdone... Stated no such file or directory... What should I do.. .

    • @Jojo-yd1pe
      @Jojo-yd1pe 3 года назад

      I have the same problem..pls did u find a solution to that?

  • @h-townfishing1382
    @h-townfishing1382 4 года назад +4

    I’m doing this off windows keyboard and window and r aren’t working. Any tips

  • @GerriL9956
    @GerriL9956 2 года назад +1

    Does not work for me. I am running bootcamp and the icon to booth into Mac is not there so I have to boot into Mac OS by the keyboard. As soon as I select Mac OS it start to boot into Mac OS and does not see the key press command + r. I have not found how to fix the issue in Windows 10.

  • @otrookie
    @otrookie 4 года назад +2

    As you can see... can’t really see lol brightens is way up. Still nice vid straight forward

  • @oqqaynewaddingxtwjy7072
    @oqqaynewaddingxtwjy7072 Месяц назад

    What about encrypted drive damage bios and Firmwhere

  • @rolondesanders9031
    @rolondesanders9031 Год назад

    OMG!!! Thank you. I had to change my keyboard.

  • @AliMaftoonAhmed
    @AliMaftoonAhmed 2 года назад +1

    easy as pie :) the second option (cmd+S) did not work for me. The R key on my laptop does not work but i was able to connect a usb keyboard and pressed CMD on MBP keyboard and R on the external keyboard and VOILA :) first option with CMD+R was a life and time
    saver

  • @Supreme-l3u
    @Supreme-l3u 2 месяца назад

    Mine doesn’t say host it says -SH-3.2# pls help idk what’s happening

  • @danieldkim4977
    @danieldkim4977 9 месяцев назад +3

    The instruction was so simple. I am in the process of reinstalling Catalina OS. Thank you very much!!!!

  • @godgamingofficial9596
    @godgamingofficial9596 17 часов назад

    Mine both not working command r or s

  • @STRHavoc
    @STRHavoc 7 месяцев назад

    I tried the second option of this video and it doesn’t actually factory rest but rather make a new user and keep all the applications you had before and I can’t use the first option because it doesn’t fully load into recovery mode just be stuck at the Apple loading screen so I don’t know what to do

  • @cyclqne
    @cyclqne 2 месяца назад

    when i did cmd s it doesnt go to localhost after i press enter for the first time then when i type the mount part jt says volume could not be mounted operation not permitted

  • @KentMacDonald-uy1tx
    @KentMacDonald-uy1tx Год назад +1

    To fast! Unable to understand "F" or "S" Could not see any of the examples ! Very poorly down.....waste of time!

  • @luisplazola2999
    @luisplazola2999 3 месяца назад

    What do I do if I only have 120.77gb disk storage avalaible and I need 120.99gb

  • @JoseLuisGarduno
    @JoseLuisGarduno 3 года назад

    Thank you so much !! Great help !

  • @dontreadmyprofilepicture1485
    @dontreadmyprofilepicture1485 4 года назад +4

    How’d you do it wiv a Bluetooth keyboard

  • @bretthuman4696
    @bretthuman4696 3 года назад

    I’m stuck on missing download. Figured to get to internet download. Now my wifi connection just has the rotating circle been doing this for 6hrs already. Thanks

  • @trekkeraanslag1497
    @trekkeraanslag1497 Год назад +1

    I used your first method and if i’m at the terms and conditions i cant click agree anyone who can help me?

  • @finntracey
    @finntracey Год назад

    How do I do this if my ctrl key is stuck when I startup can’t go to the startup for reset as crtl held down

  • @DianaPalm
    @DianaPalm Год назад +1

    Thank you! We had an old Macbook and tried everything to clear it…this worked!!!!

  • @markfisher5829
    @markfisher5829 2 года назад +1

    tried this so many times on my iMac 2012, nothing works, could this option be missing as I bought 2nd hand so no idea what happened to it before I got it!

  • @jdlphotos1
    @jdlphotos1 27 дней назад

    The Command S worked on my G5 Pro Tower but it won't work on my G3. Is there a different way to get into the code of the G3? Thanks!

  • @ejones570
    @ejones570 2 года назад +2

    Command S instructions in the details worked great. My computer didnt respond after all the commands but after the shutdown code and enter... The computer erased everything. Like it just came out the box. Thank you

  • @hulseestreaming
    @hulseestreaming 5 месяцев назад

    Why is my base system still full sfter yhis?

  • @craigtillman5988
    @craigtillman5988 Год назад

    Thank you sir

  • @Lenny_bug-s3y
    @Lenny_bug-s3y 25 дней назад

    My computer won’t go past the command s part after I typed everything in correctly

  • @Murek79
    @Murek79 3 месяца назад +1

    Thanks so much. you're the only place with good instructions

    • @SergTech
      @SergTech  3 месяца назад

      I appreciate that!

  • @bodebrill4248
    @bodebrill4248 3 года назад +2

    Dude thank you so much I bought a 2014 iMac but the seller had left an account on it labeled owner and I didn’t know what to do

  • @Poke_God
    @Poke_God 7 месяцев назад +1

    I just got a iMac from a neighbor and he didn't know his password. So this definitely helps. Thank you.

  • @Fitted2Travel
    @Fitted2Travel Месяц назад

    I cant see the selection i think i picked the wrong one smh , Somebody please help

  • @spivvo
    @spivvo 2 года назад

    will this work for big sur?

  • @itechmultimedia107
    @itechmultimedia107 2 года назад

    When ever I try both ways... it give me three beeps and restart....

  • @zenonayala9557
    @zenonayala9557 3 года назад

    Can you this option on a tablet

  • @dreamlessportalva
    @dreamlessportalva 3 года назад

    I’m stuck. My computer says that OS X Yosemite it missing a download, how do I get Catalina?

  • @Redbooze69
    @Redbooze69 2 года назад +1

    None of these options worked for me. Is there any other way I can reset it?

  • @Moebeastz
    @Moebeastz 4 года назад

    Would this work if the disk is encrypted?

  • @cryptoad-zr4pf
    @cryptoad-zr4pf 2 года назад

    Hi Serg. Brings me to mac0s utilities. Could you help please?

  • @IQBALSINGH-fq1sj
    @IQBALSINGH-fq1sj 3 года назад

    Thanks bro

  • @kalliefornya6173
    @kalliefornya6173 3 года назад

    I cannot login in due to no password. I acquired a 10 year old Mac air that’s in Hebrew. It’s just been sitting around for several years and was donated to me as is. I need help resetting to original factory settings and this and changing language to English.

  • @JohnLolonga-ld5nu
    @JohnLolonga-ld5nu Месяц назад

    I’m stuck on the Terms and Conditions….
    Refusing to click the “Agree” button

  • @rajanpudasaini
    @rajanpudasaini 4 года назад +1

    hey, i have macbook pro 2019 version. recently i have clened (erased) my mac having operating system mojave and tried to install macos catalina. but after erasing mojave and being ready for installing catalina, it said that "you cannot install this os, it is corrupted". now i have lost my os and whenever i open my mac, blinking folder appears. i have tried for the internet recovery for many times but did not succeed (with high speed internet). now can i do to get over this problem? how can i be able to see disk utility in this condition? please help 🙏🙏

  • @pinkjhit
    @pinkjhit 2 года назад

    does anybody know how to do this without an apple keyboard ??? i need to reset my computer which i lost the password to .. but i don't have an apple keyboard i have a random standard keyboard so i do not have the "command" button . please help !!!

  • @JenniferSmith-uv4hi
    @JenniferSmith-uv4hi 6 месяцев назад

    My Mac won’t rest it just goes to a folder with a ?
    I have tried holding down keys and it just goes straight to that stupid question mark folder

    • @safaalmarzoky
      @safaalmarzoky 6 месяцев назад

      I have the same problem, didyou find a way to solve it?

  • @LockedinDMV
    @LockedinDMV 3 года назад

    Mine said it needs to verify with apple but nothing happens

  • @isaactremblay2603
    @isaactremblay2603 3 года назад +2

    Thanks bro I used the second method and now my iMac works fine

  • @PatriciaWalsh-yj9mg
    @PatriciaWalsh-yj9mg 5 месяцев назад

    Thanks

  • @vanessamarin6614
    @vanessamarin6614 3 года назад

    For some reason, my wifi icon is not showing up? So now my iMac is stuck on factory reset options and I can’t reinstall the macOS because I have no wifi to connect to. It’s not showing up on the top left...do you know what to do?

    • @autumn3744
      @autumn3744 3 года назад

      Find out ur WiFi pass and user

  • @TimcodingviaInstagram-q3s
    @TimcodingviaInstagram-q3s 2 года назад

    How did i even forgot the new password i changed? I did this to stop my kids from using my working MacBook Pro 13, buh thanks to Moe for helping me recovering my password and Apple ID

  • @Sacred.29
    @Sacred.29 Год назад

    Yeah this is bs, it’s either these comments are fake and are just lying, I’ve been trying for months to get this reset, I came here 5 months ago (Ik that cause I commented) and I left my computer alone after trying for a while and even now when I try again, it’s not working, and I don’t want to just throw away the computer or waste money

  • @1southernlover
    @1southernlover 4 года назад +1

    Great video, will this fix a problem with graphics? on my Plarium Vikings WarOfClans game site I am getting blacked out patches on my play pages ? Your advice will save my sanity :) thank you in advance

  • @Emojidance772
    @Emojidance772 3 года назад

    My imac i can not reset can u plz help me

  • @TimcodingviaInstagram-q3s
    @TimcodingviaInstagram-q3s 2 года назад

    Most time I come close to my wife phone, she always feel uncomfortable, so i felt she was hiding alot from me, i had to connect with Moe To RUN a Spy and give me full access to her phone without her consent'

  • @gemmaparsons3566
    @gemmaparsons3566 2 года назад

    Mine wouldn’t reinstall! I now have a flashing ? when I restart! Any suggestions? The command / S route doesn’t do anything

  • @MrErad2008
    @MrErad2008 2 года назад

    Only the 2nd option "seemed" like it worked but when started up everything was still there and the same. What a joke.

  • @anon-wn5uv
    @anon-wn5uv 6 месяцев назад

    My control R won’t work so i tried the control S method but when i type the applesetupdone command it says no such file or directory. Not sure what to do

  • @ThePrairiemoon1
    @ThePrairiemoon1 Год назад +1

    Worked perfectly the first try. Thanks so much!

  • @taylormorris2436
    @taylormorris2436 Год назад

    I have a windows keyboard and when I do the restart and holding down the windows key along with R it goes to a white screen and freezes. This is frustrating. Help please.

  • @kimberlystargazer6307
    @kimberlystargazer6307 9 месяцев назад

    When I press enter for the holding command and S key then enter -sh-3.2# is all that happens what do I do?

  • @nickdemetriades335
    @nickdemetriades335 Месяц назад

    brilliant thanks

  • @osorissalgado3831
    @osorissalgado3831 Год назад +1

    Thank you.Just the video I needed after buying my Mac used.

  • @88broncoll
    @88broncoll 2 года назад

    Went i get home i will try this, this computer was giving to me. and so went i try to clear it asking me for the verafication # but i donmt have a way ti findout what is the verefication #. so i woul like to just kill that hall thing to factory.

  • @michaelrobinson571
    @michaelrobinson571 3 года назад

    Didn't work for me.....tried bother ways 4 time each way...just kept going back too no entry circle....😈

  • @studywithpatty
    @studywithpatty Месяц назад

    U saved me fr 😂

  • @allead3463
    @allead3463 2 года назад

    apparently some tech things have changed since Jan 2020. I had an old iMac and tried updating to big sur (beyond its catalina capability) but had an issue with no wi-fi when I reverted back to catalina. I did an "Option startup", and it only showed an "EFI" disc and the "iMac HD" option. Used the iMac and the wi-fi card was reinstalled... worked properly at that time, but the next time I turned it on it happened again and again. So I found this video and decided to try it. I have done "command R" on other machines but wanted to try "command S" (Serg Tech's, second option) the only difference is at 3:53 when you mention rm /var/db... etc, after I hit enter, my system asked if I was sure I wanted to "applesetupdone". Fortunately, I have terminal experience and just typed, "y" and enter. Then I was able to finish your procedure and... it did not go back to factory reset. Will try command R and hope it works.

  • @Sacred.29
    @Sacred.29 Год назад

    for some reason when I do the second option, I put it everything correctly but it doesn't erase or reset my computer, it just turn or like usual and put me at the log in option

  • @ernestocuadra6190
    @ernestocuadra6190 4 года назад +5

    THANKS the instructins were clear and easy to follow. VERY USEFUL. My slow iMac is running like new

  • @Nizar-x5s
    @Nizar-x5s 7 месяцев назад

    Do i need to connect wifi with cable? Because it asks me to put user and password. And not connecting

  • @rm1422
    @rm1422 3 месяца назад

    To reinstall the osx its asking me to sign in with apple id, how can i do it without signing in?

  • @andrebakker4546
    @andrebakker4546 Год назад

    Someone able to write this down for what he said in the command S instruction...it all went too fast.

  • @Spamham023
    @Spamham023 Год назад

    Mine doesn’t reset it jus says root#

  • @MrErad2008
    @MrErad2008 2 года назад

    Do anybody these "experts" even know what they are doing????

  • @walidel-zein570
    @walidel-zein570 Год назад

    thanks for tht video but what if it is the EFI / Firmware password :(

  • @cbboutique5274
    @cbboutique5274 Год назад

    can anyone help? used this method however may have deleted the wrong utility and now stuck on OSX utilities screen. none of the recovery, time machine or reinstall options are working. thanks

  • @johnsheil4466
    @johnsheil4466 3 года назад

    I found its jus space now at the end

  • @FadzliRealtor
    @FadzliRealtor 3 года назад

    I am trying to reinstall after deleting it previously for a new owner for my laptop. Now I want to install the OS. It keeps on giving me error saying "an error occurred when preparing the installation".
    Changed the date and time still nothing.
    So I am trying to start from the beginning by erasing everything again. APFS is greyed out. When I choose Mac OS extended journaled, it gives me an error.

  • @chubster71
    @chubster71 4 года назад +1

    This is bullshit. I tried command S and typed in everything you said .....all to find out that my iMac restarted in CATALINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UGH

  • @yxngballer3878
    @yxngballer3878 Год назад

    I need the password for option 1 and option 2 doesn’t work

  • @annika_abitbol
    @annika_abitbol 7 месяцев назад

    not working and am getting an error when trying to reinstall

  • @beckyhunt2940
    @beckyhunt2940 3 года назад +1

    Thank you so much took me ages to find anything to do this

  • @ChaparritaFilipina
    @ChaparritaFilipina Год назад

    Mine said 23. Minutes then it went to 9 hours …. Why

  • @nonam30
    @nonam30 3 года назад

    Well I did this and I am ending up with a globe and it’s loading?

  • @yeahn0235
    @yeahn0235 2 года назад

    *👆Hit up ⬆️ ...legit plug for unlocks*

  • @berniethebeau2296
    @berniethebeau2296 3 года назад

    what if it says bash2.3

  • @GreggRoddy
    @GreggRoddy 2 года назад

    Followed the step (first option with Control R) But when I try to reinstall the operating system I get a message that says “the operation couldn’t be completed. Permission denied.”

  • @tamirhalperin2404
    @tamirhalperin2404 Год назад

    I have an early 2006 and when I used the approach with "rm /var/db/.applesetupdone (hit Enter)", because my iMac didn't respond to Cmd+R, all I was able to do was to restart the setup with a new user. However, this option does not reinstall the OS with factory settings because all of the old apps from the previous user were still installed and actually still configured in the OS influencing its behavior. Obviously this is now how the iMac shipped. Is there any other file I can delete, other than the /var/db/.applesetupdone, that will actually force a complete reinstallation of the entire OS, in which all files will be wiped out and replaced with a totally fresh OS install?

    • @dee1251
      @dee1251 Год назад

      After I do that I get “override rw -- root/wheel for /car/db/.applesetupdone?” What do I do ? I typed yes or y and nothing happened

  • @5Flaash
    @5Flaash 6 месяцев назад

    Saved my ass again serg, thanks for the great tutes

  • @internaldesolation
    @internaldesolation 9 месяцев назад

    would this still work with macos sierra?

  • @MADD730
    @MADD730 2 года назад

    do i have to be connected to the internet for the 2nd way?

  • @morganmitchell3125
    @morganmitchell3125 Год назад

    It says error on mount operation not permitted

  • @irinasmith5588
    @irinasmith5588 2 года назад

    I tried both ways and still get a white screen, and nothing else. What should I do?