What to do before you sell or trade in your Mac

Reset your Mac to factory settings preparing it for sale to We Buy Mac.

Which model do I have?

Before you begin

Check whether your Mac is covered by an AppleCare plan, you can either cancel the plan or transfer it.

If your Mac doesn’t turn on or start up properly, first learn what to do if your Mac doesn’t start up fully. Then return to this guide once your Mac is able to start up successfully.

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Use Erase All Content and Settings

The Erase All Content and Settings feature makes it easier to reset your Mac to factory settings. Your Mac will have this option only if it’s using macOS Monterey 12 or later, and it’s either a Mac with Apple silicon or one with the Apple T2 Security Chip.

If your Mac supports this feature, you can use it instead of following the steps below. Learn how to use Erase All Content and Settings.

In addition, if your Mac doesn’t have this feature, follow the steps in the next section.

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If you can’t use Erase All Content and Settings

If Erase All Content and Settings isn’t available on your Mac, follow these steps instead. Before starting, check which version of macOS your Mac is running.

1. Remove a device from Find My

To remove a device from Find My, go to System Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Find My Mac and turn it off. For a remote removal, log in to icloud.com/find, select the Mac, and click “Remove This Device”. If the device is online, you must erase it first. 

Steps to Remove Mac from Find My

• From the Mac Itself (Preferred):
  • Open System Settings (or System Preferences).
  • Click your Name/Apple ID at the top.
  • Click iCloud.
  • Click Find My Mac (or “See All” then Find My Mac) and select Turn Off.

• Remotely via iCloud (If you don’t have the device):
  • Sign in to icloud.com/find on a browser.
  • Select the Mac from the “All Devices” list.
  • If the device is online, click “Erase” first to initiate the process.
  • Click “Remove from Account” or “Remove This Device”. 

2. Back up or transfer your files

If you don’t already have a recent backup, back up your files to an external storage device or transfer them to your new Mac.

3. Sign out of iTunes

If you’re using macOS Catalina 10.15 or later, you can skip this step.

From the menu bar in iTunes, choose Account > Authorisations > Deauthorise This Computer.
Enter your Apple ID details and click Deauthorise. Learn more about deauthorising your computer.

4. Sign out of iCloud

When you sign out of iCloud, you’ll be asked whether to keep a copy of your iCloud data on this Mac. It’s faster to keep a copy, as you’ll erase your Mac later anyway. Learn more about signing out of iCloud.

macOS Ventura 13 or later:

1. Choose Apple menu  > System Settings.
2. Click your name in the sidebar.
3. On the right, scroll down and click Sign Out.

macOS Monterey 12, Big Sur 11, or Catalina 10.15:

1. Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences.
2. Click Apple ID.
3. Select Overview in the sidebar.
4. Click Sign Out.

Earlier versions of macOS:

1. Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences.
2. Click iCloud.
3. Click Sign Out.

5. Sign out of iMessage

1. Open the Messages app.
2. From the menu bar, choose Messages > Settings (or Preferences).
3. Click iMessage.
4. Click Sign Out.

6. Unpair Bluetooth devices (optional)

Important: If you do this on a Mac without a built-in keyboard or trackpad, you’ll need to connect a USB keyboard and mouse to complete the following steps.

If your Mac has been paired with a Bluetooth keyboard, mouse or other device that you intend to keep, you can unpair it. This helps prevent accidental input if the Mac and device remain within Bluetooth range but have different owners.

1. Choose Apple menu  > System Settings (or System Preferences).
2. Click Bluetooth.
3. Hover your pointer over the device you want to unpair, then click the Disconnect or Remove (x) button next to its name.

7. Erase your Mac and reinstall macOS

1. Start up from macOS Recovery.
2. Use Disk Utility in Recovery to erase your Mac.
3. Reinstall macOS from Recovery.

After reinstalling macOS, your Mac will restart and display the setup assistant. Press Command–Q to shut down instead of continuing with the setup process.

8. Reset NVRAM

If you’re using an Intel-based Mac, resetting the NVRAM clears user settings from memory and restores certain security features that may have been changed. Learn how to reset NVRAM.

After resetting NVRAM, your Mac will start up to the setup assistant again. To leave it in an out-of-box state, press Command–Q to shut down rather than continuing setup.

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Trade in or recycle your Mac

Once your Mac has been removed from Find My, erased and reset, you can trade it in or sell it to our friendly team of Apple purchasing experts:

Click the button below and get your free evaluation right now

We’re here to cater to your needs and make selling your Mac a breeze! We understand that selling your Mac can be a daunting task, but worry not, as our team of experts is ready to assist you every step of the way.

Whether you have a question about the selling process, need help determining the best price for your device, or simply want some advice on how to prepare your Mac for sale, we’ve got you covered.

Don’t let your Mac gather dust when you can turn it into cash.

You can reach out to us via phone, email, or visit our store any day of the week. Our friendly staff will be more than happy to answer all your queries and provide you with the guidance you need. We have years of experience in the industry, ensuring that you receive the highest level of service and get the best possible value for your Mac.

In addition to our knowledgeable team, we also offer a hassle-free selling experience. Once you’ve connected with us, we’ll take care of all the necessary paperwork, inspections, and negotiations on your behalf.

Reach out to us today and let us help you sell your Mac with ease.

We only buy devices that are less than 7 years old