How do I erase my old 2013 iMac? Solution and answers – The Mac Observer

Looking for information on how to erase an old iMac from 2013? You are in the right place. If you’re considering giving away or selling your old iMac, erasing it is one of the most important things you can do. I’ll show you how to erase your Mac using Recovery Mode and Disk Utility, while covering other security measures you should take. Continue reading to learn more.

Preliminary steps before erasing and resetting

Before you begin, one of the first things you should do is back up your data. Losing your personal files is never fun, so having a backup is crucial.

Fortunately, you can use Apple’s built-in backup service, Time Machine, by going to Apple > System Preferences > Time Machine. Then simply select Backup Disk and follow the on-screen instructions. Ideally, you will use an external drive to back up your data. We also have some suggestions if you want to use something other than Time Machine.

Also, don’t forget to unlink any third-party apps. Essentially, make sure you’re logged out of virtually every app. This will be different for each third-party app. You should also unlink your Apple ID from the iMac by signing out of other Apple services, such as iTunes/Apple Music, the App Store, and iCloud.

Regarding Apple apps, due to the age of the device, how you sign out of Apple services will depend greatly on the version of macOS you are using. However, remember that you need to sign out of iTunes/Apple Music, iCloud, Messages, App Store, and any other Apple apps you are signed into.

Note: Keep in mind that this is an older Mac, which is usually from the macOS X era. If you need a newer guide for macOS Ventura or macOS Monterey , consider this guide for macOS Ventura as well as this guide, especially if you don’t plan to sell it. You should also check out this Apple resource if you plan to give away or sell the machine.

How do I delete everything on my 2013 Mac?

You will use recovery mode to erase everything on your Mac. This built-in recovery mode can help you access special tools, including the ability to erase your computer. Recovery mode can also help reinstall macOS, restore files with Time Machine, and much more.

Don’t forget to back up your data with Time Machine or other backup software before you begin. Although these are not complicated steps, it is crucial to ensure that you have backed up your computer and are logged out of services.

You’ll need to reinstall macOS, especially if you plan to give the device away. While you’re still in Recovery Mode, choose Reinstall macOS from the Utilities menu. The installation process may take some time. You can follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process. You can then set up the Mac as a new user or authorize someone else to do so.

How to erase old iMac 2013 without password?

You can use Recovery Mode and Disk Utility to erase your old iMac without a password. Simply restart your device, then hold Command + R during the process to bring up Recovery Mode and select Disk Utility. Next, choose your disk and select Erase and make sure you are using macOS Extended for Format. You can then rename the hard drive and choose Erase. From here you can close Disk Utility.

Note that these are the same instructions as above if you need to see the process step by step or additional steps.

Although you don’t need your password to erase your Mac, you may have problems signing out of certain things, like Apple Music/iTunes or even iCloud. This can create problems if you plan to give away or sell your Mac.

How to erase old iMac 2013 without keyboard?

Unfortunately, you’ll need a keyboard to erase your old iMac. Indeed, you need the keyboard to access certain menus, especially during the reboot process. If your external keyboard is broken, you can always connect another wired keyboard to your Mac. While this may not be the most practical answer, it will get the job done.

Why can’t I erase my old iMac?

If you receive a “The erase process failed” error, one of the main reasons you might have difficulty erasing an old Mac is because macOS is outdated. An outdated version is likely to cause problems. However, if you’re using a Mac from 2013, updating can be tricky. You can try navigating to Apple > System Preferences > General > Software Update in the menu bar to see if any updates are available.

Additionally, make sure you are in recovery mode when erasing disks. Using Disk Utility from recovery mode will ensure that you don’t have any active processes or open applications preventing the internal drive from being wiped. This also ensures that the system does not use the disk.

You can also try repairing the disk before erasing it. You can use the First Aid option in Disk Utility. This can be done from the desktop or from recovery mode. Open Disk Utility, select your drive from the side menu, then select First Aid. You may be asked for a password.

You might also consider speaking with Apple Support if you’re having any major issues.

Conclusion

Before wiping your drive, remember the importance of backing up your data and logging out of appropriate applications. Your data is crucial and you don’t want it exposed. This is crucial to erase your disk. From there, just reboot into Recovery Mode and allow Disk Utility to do the job. From there you will have a completely clean disk.

Of course, if you want to get a new Mac after erasing your old one, you might want to consider the power of Apple silicon. Apple has obviously come a long way since 2013, so check out what’s out there. Not only is Apple silicon more powerful than all Intel-based Macs, but newer versions of macOS, such as macOS Ventura, have many phenomenal features.