Have you decided it’s time to part ways with your trusted Mac? Whether you’re selling, trading it in, or giving it away, these are a few things you need to do before saying goodbye to your Mac.
Cancel or Transfer Apple Care
If you’ve opted for AppleCare+ coverage for your Mac, it’s important to decide whether to cancel or transfer it before parting ways with your device.
Canceling your AppleCare+ monthly plan is simple. In the App Store app, click on your username in the bottom-left corner, select Account Settings, then scroll down and select Manage next to Subscriptions. This will open a new window, where you can cancel your current AppleCare+ plan. This step is particularly crucial if you’ve opted for the monthly payment option to avoid continued charges.
Alternatively, if you’ve paid for your AppleCare+ plan in full, consider transferring it to the next owner. This not only adds resale value to your Mac, but it also ensures continued coverage for the new user.
To transfer the plan, find out necessary details, like the plan agreement number and device serial number, in advance, and contact Apple Support to initiate the transfer process. While it may require some effort, transferring AppleCare+ can be beneficial to both you and the future owner of your Mac.
Back Up and/or Transfer Your Files
You’ve probably gathered many files and personal information in the years of using your Mac. The next step in getting ready to sell your Mac is to back up your data. There are several ways to do this, and you’ll need an external hard drive to begin.
- Use Time Machine: you can use the built-in Time Machine tool to back up everything to an external hard drive or SSD. This method creates a snapshot of your computer’s applications, files, and settings, ensuring a quick and painless transfer to your new Mac.
- Manually Transfer Your Files: another way is to manually navigate through all the important folders, like Documents, Desktop, and Downloads, and hand pick the files you want to keep. Then transfer the files to another device via AirDrop or to an external storage solution, such as a thumb drive, SSD, iPhone/iPad, or Android phone.
- Use Migration Assistant: use Migration Assistant to transfer files from your old Mac to your new one.
Erase All Content and Settings
If you own a Mac with Apple silicon or an Intel processor with the T2 Security Chip, running macOS Monterey or later, the entire process of erasing all files and settings is very simple. You can do it from one dedicated menu.
To erase all content on your Mac and reset it to factory settings, follow the steps below.
On your Mac running macOS Ventura or later, go to the Apple menu, and open System Settings. Follow the path General -> Transfer or Reset. Click Erase All Content and Settings.
Enter your Mac’s admin password, and select Unlock to open the Erase Assistant.
Follow the on-screen steps to erase and reset your computer.
If your Mac is running macOS Monterey, click the Apple icon, and choose System Preferences -> Erase All Content and Settings.
This will ensure your Mac is wiped clean and ready for its next user.
Sign Out of iTunes, iCloud, and iMessage
If you can’t find the Erase All Content and Settings feature, that means it’s not available on your Mac, and you need to perform the following steps to erase your data.
Sign out of iTunes: if you’re using macOS Catalina or later, you can skip this step. From the menu bar in iTunes, select Account -> Authorizations -> Deauthorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID and password, then click Deauthorize.
Sign out of iCloud: for macOS Ventura or later: follow the path Apple menu -> System Settings. Click your name (Apple ID) in the sidebar on the left, scroll down, and click Sign Out.
For macOS Monterey, macOS Big Sur, and macOS Catalina: follow the path Apple menu -> System Preferences. Click on your Apple ID, select Overview in the sidebar, then click Sign Out.
For earlier macOS versions: follow the path Apple menu -> System Preferences, click iCloud, then Sign Out.
Sign out of iMessage: open the Messages app. From the menu bar, go to Messages -> Settings (or Preferences). Open the iMessage tab, then select Sign Out.
Factory Reset Your Mac & Reinstall macOS
To completely wipe your Mac and reinstall macOS, follow these steps.
Begin by shutting down your Mac. Restart from macOS Recovery, and use Disk Utility to erase your Mac. Follow the on-screen steps in Disk Utility for detailed instructions. Once the erasing process is complete, quit Disk Utility without restarting your Mac.
While still in macOS Recovery, select Reinstall macOS, and follow the instructions. After macOS is reinstalled, your Mac will restart to a setup assistant. Press Command + Q to shut down instead of continuing with the setup process.
Following these steps will result in a factory reset of your Mac, ensuring it’s ready for its new owner or purpose.
Clean Your Computer
Now that your Mac is clean on the inside and ready for you to sell it, it’s time to clean it on the outside. Ensuring your old Mac is clean adds value and appeal for potential buyers.
Use a soft brush to gently remove debris from between the keys. Wipe down the screen and entire body of your Mac using a dry, lint-free cloth. Be gentle to avoid scratching the display or casing.
Find Your System Information
Want to know how much your Mac is worth before you sell it? Checking your system information can help you assess your computer’s specifications and determine its value for resale.
Start by opening the Apple Menu and selecting About This Mac. You’ll find essential details, such as your Mac’s name, release year, and basic specs, like processor, memory, and macOS version.
For more detailed information, select More Info in the About This Mac window. This will give you additional insights into your Mac’s configuration.
If you need to delve deeper into your Mac’s specs, click on the System Report button at the bottom of the About This Mac window.
You’ll find comprehensive details about your Mac’s hardware and software components, including battery health information.
Time to Part With Your Mac
As you bid farewell and get ready to sell or give away your Mac, take pride in the care you’ve given it and the memories it holds. With the preparations from this guide complete, you can confidently pass on your device, knowing it’s ready for its next chapter.
Your Mac has served you well, and now it’s time for someone else to enjoy its capabilities.
Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Anya Zhukova.
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