How To Reformat Your Macbook Pro

This article explains how to reformat your MacBook Pro using Recovery Mode. It includes information on how to install a fresh installation of macOS afterward.

What to Know

• Press the power button to start the MacBook Pro and immediately press and hold Command+R to boot into Recovery Mode.Select Disk Utility > Continue. Choose your startup disk in the left panel. Select Erase.Name the drive and choose a format. If asked for the scheme, select GUID Partition Map > Erase. Select Quit Disk Utility.

How to Reformat MacBook Pro

If your MacBook Pro slows down due to age or too many applications, speed things up by reformating the laptop. This action wipes a MacBook Pro and returns it to factory settings. Reformatting is a good idea if you plan to sell or give or away your MacBook Pro.

Reformatting a MacBook Pro erases all the information on the device. Back up your MacBook before proceeding with this option. When it is reformatted, install a fresh version of macOS if you are keeping the laptop. An internet connection is required to install the fresh macOS.

• Turn on or restart the MacBook Pro using the power button and immediately press and hold Command+R on the keyboard before the Apple logo or another startup screen appears. Release the keys after you see an Apple logo, spinning globe, or another startup screen. This process boots the Mac into macOS Recovery mode.
• In the macOS Utilities window, select Disk Utility, then click Continue.
• In the left panel of Disk Utility, choose your startup disk. It is called Macintosh HD by default, but if you renamed your startup disk, select it.
• Click Erase at the top of the window.
• Enter a name you want the drive to have after you erase it. Apple recommends using the name Macintosh HD.
• Choose a format, either APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
• Disk Utility shows the compatible option by default.
• If the Mac asks for the scheme, choose GUID Partition Map.
• Click Erase and wait for the process to complete.
• In the Disk Utility menu, select Quit Disk Utility.

How to Install a Fresh macOS Version

With your MacBook Pro reformatted, you should be back at the macOS Utilities window. If not, boot back into macOS Recovery as you did to begin the reformatting process.

Turn on or restart the MacBook Pro using the power button and immediately press and hold Command+R on the keyboard before the Apple logo or another startup screen appears. Release the keys after you see an Apple logo, spinning globe, or another startup screen. This process boots the Mac into macOS Recovery mode.

In the macOS Utilities window, select Disk Utility, then click Continue.

In the left panel of Disk Utility, choose your startup disk. It is called Macintosh HD by default, but if you renamed your startup disk, select it.

Click Erase at the top of the window. 

Enter a name you want the drive to have after you erase it. Apple recommends using the name Macintosh HD.

Choose a format, either APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

Disk Utility shows the compatible option by default. 

If the Mac asks for the scheme, choose GUID Partition Map.

Click Erase and wait for the process to complete.

In the Disk Utility menu, select Quit Disk Utility.

• Restart the MacBook Pro and press Command+R on the keyboard before the Apple logo or another startup screen appears. Release the keys when you see an Apple logo or startup screen. This process boots into macOS Recovery.
• Click either Reinstall macOS or Reinstall OS X and then click Continue.
• Click your startup disk in the left panel. It is called Macintosh HD by default. If you renamed your startup disk, select it.
• Click Install. This process reinstalls the latest macOS version that your computer can run.
• When the installation is complete, the MacBook Pro restarts and displays the setup assistant.
• Set up your reformatted MacBook Pro to your specifications. Transfer the files saved on your external hard drive or flash drive to the computer.

You must be connected to the internet to complete the macOS installation. Your MacBook Pro prompts you to connect to Wi-Fi to continue the installation process. 

Restart the MacBook Pro and press Command+R on the keyboard before the Apple logo or another startup screen appears. Release the keys when you see an Apple logo or startup screen. This process boots into macOS Recovery.

Click either Reinstall macOS or Reinstall OS X and then click Continue.

Click your startup disk in the left panel. It is called Macintosh HD by default. If you renamed your startup disk, select it.

Click Install. This process reinstalls the latest macOS version that your computer can run.

When the installation is complete, the MacBook Pro restarts and displays the setup assistant.

Set up your reformatted MacBook Pro to your specifications. Transfer the files saved on your external hard drive or flash drive to the computer.

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