Factory Reset MacBook Air 2017: A Step-by-Step Guide

Resetting your MacBook Air to its factory settings can breathe new life into your device, making it feel brand new. Whether you’re troubleshooting, preparing to sell, or simply starting fresh, we’ve got the steps to make the process as smooth as possible. But it’s not as straightforward as you might think, so let’s dive deeper into how to successfully factory reset your MacBook Air 2017.

Table of Contents

Back up your data

Before diving into the factory reset process, it’s crucial to ensure that all important data is backed up. This step cannot be overstated, as a factory reset will completely erase everything on the MacBook Air, leaving it in a clean state just as it was fresh out of the box. We’re here to guide you through this essential phase, ensuring you don’t lose any valuable files or memories.

Firstly, consider using Time Machine, Apple’s built-in backup feature. It’s a straightforward and reliable method to save a copy of all your files, including apps, music, photos, emails, and documents. To use Time Machine, you’ll need an external storage device. Once you connect this device to your MacBook Air, go to System Preferences > Time Machine, and select the disk you wish to use for your backups. It’s wise to perform this back up regularly, not just when preparing for a reset.

Alternatively, iCloud offers a seamless way to back up most of your important data, assuming it’s within the free 5GB limit or you’re subscribed to a higher storage plan. By going to Apple Menu > System Preferences > iCloud, you can manage what you want to store on iCloud. Remember, iCloud is ideal for your photos, documents, and some setting preferences, but it might not capture everything you need unless you adjust your storage plan accordingly.

For those with a preference for a more tangible backup method or who wish to secure particularly large files, external hard drives or SSDs serve as excellent options. Ensure you verify the storage capacity of your chosen device is sufficient to accommodate all your data. Additionally, it might be beneficial to organize your files and delete unnecessary duplicates before backing up. This not only clears clutter but also simplifies the restoration process later.

By taking these steps to back up your data, we ensure we are prepared for the next stage in the factory reset process. It’s a safeguard against the loss of precious digital content, offering both peace of mind and a smooth transition to a refreshed MacBook Air.

Sign out of iTunes and iCloud

Before we dive into the heart of the factory reset process on our MacBook Air 2017, it’s crucial we ensure all personal information and settings are no longer linked to the device. Signing out of iTunes and iCloud is a pivotal step in this preparation. Here’s how we’ll tackle each one:

iTunes Sign-Out Steps:

Open iTunes on the MacBook Air.
From the menu bar at the top of the computer screen or the top of the iTunes window, choose Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize This Computer.
You’ll be prompted to enter your Apple ID and password. Upon doing so, click Deauthorize.

By deauthorizing the computer in iTunes, we’re essentially disassociating the device from our Apple ID, which is a necessary move before a factory reset.

Head over to Apple Menu > System Preferences, then click iCloud.
Click Sign Out to remove your iCloud account from the device.
A prompt will appear asking if you want to keep a copy of the iCloud data on the MacBook Air. Since we’re going for a factory reset, you can choose not to retain a copy.

Signing out of iCloud ensures that all personal data synced with iCloud is no longer accessible on the device. It’s a crucial step to maintain our privacy and security, especially if we’re planning to sell or give away our MacBook Air.

By meticulously following these steps, we’re safeguarding our digital identity and preventing unauthorized access to our personal accounts and data. It’s these preparatory actions that lay the groundwork for a secure and worry-free factory reset.

Turn off FileVault

Before we proceed to the next crucial step in preparing our MacBook Air 2017 for a factory reset, it’s imperative to address the security feature known as FileVault. FileVault plays a pivotal role in safeguarding our data by encrypting the entire system drive. However, when we’re paving the way for a factory reset, having FileVault turned on can complicate the process. Here, we’ll guide you through the straightforward procedure to disable FileVault, ensuring a smoother reset experience.

Firstly, it’s essential to understand why turning off FileVault is necessary. FileVault encryption can persist even after your data is erased during a factory reset, posing challenges to the next user’s access. To avoid such issues, disabling FileVault is a step we cannot skip.

To turn off FileVault, follow these steps:

Head to System Preferences from the Apple menu located at the top-left corner of our screen.
Click on Security & Privacy and then navigate to the FileVault tab.
You will see a lock icon at the bottom left. Click on it to make changes. It’ll prompt us for our administrator password.
Once authenticated, look for the option that says “Turn Off FileVault…”
After clicking it, FileVault will begin decrypting our disk. The time it takes to decrypt depends on the amount of data we have. It could range from a few minutes to several hours.

While we wait for FileVault to decrypt our drive, it’s a good opportunity to double-check that we’ve completed all other preparatory steps before the factory reset. This includes signing out of iTunes and iCloud, as previously discussed, and ensuring that all our important data is backed up. It’s always better to be overly prepared than to face data loss.

Disabling FileVault is a testament to our commitment to protecting our personal information and that of the next device owner. It’s a preparatory step that aligns with our broader objective of ensuring a secure and comprehensive factory reset process.

Erase the hard drive

After we’ve successfully disabled FileVault, the next crucial step in preparing our MacBook Air 2017 for a factory reset is to erase the hard drive. This process ensures that all our personal data is securely removed from the device before we proceed with the reset. Let’s dive into how we can accomplish this task effectively.

Firstly, we need to boot our MacBook Air into Recovery Mode. To do this, we restart the device and immediately hold down the Command and R keys until the Apple logo appears. This boot process might take a few minutes, so patience is key.

Once in Recovery Mode, we’ll utilize the Disk Utility tool to erase the hard drive. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

In the Disk Utility window, we select our startup disk (usually named “Macintosh HD” unless we’ve renamed it) from the sidebar.
Click the Erase button at the top of the Disk Utility window.
In the format field, we ensure to select APFS (Apple File System) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled), depending on the macOS version our MacBook Air is running.
We then provide a name for the disk (it doesn’t have to be “Macintosh HD” but it’s a commonly used standard).

Before initiating the erase process, it’s crucial we double-check that we have backed up all essential data. Erasing the hard drive is irreversible, and all data stored on the disk will be lost.

By following these steps, we prepare our MacBook Air’s hard drive for a clean slate, enabling a smoother factory reset process. It’s an essential measure to not only protect our personal information but also to ensure the device operates efficiently after the reset.

Reinstall macOS

After erasing the hard drive, the next step we’ll dive into is reinstalling macOS on our MacBook Air 2017. This stage is crucial for bringing our device back to its original state, ready for us or a new owner to set up fresh.

First, we need to ensure our MacBook Air is still in Recovery Mode. If it’s not, we’ll restart it and immediately press and hold the Command (⌘) and R keys until we see the Apple logo or a spinning globe. This action will launch the macOS Utilities window once again.

From the macOS Utilities menu, we’ll select Reinstall macOS and click Continue. A prompt will appear asking us to agree to the terms and conditions of the macOS installation. We’ll need to read through these carefully and agree to proceed.

Choosing the hard drive we just erased as the installation destination is next. Generally, it’s labeled as “Macintosh HD” unless we’ve renamed it. After selecting the correct drive, we click Install, and the reinstallation process begins. This step can take some time, ranging from 30 minutes to over an hour, depending on our MacBook Air’s internet connection. It’s vital to ensure our device stays powered on and connected to the internet throughout this period.

During the reinstallation, our MacBook Air may restart several times. It’s important not to interrupt the process by turning off the device or disconnecting it from its power source. Once the reinstallation of macOS is complete, the MacBook Air will restart one final time and display the welcome screen.

At this point, we have successfully reinstalled macOS on our MacBook Air 2017, making it operate like it’s just come out of the box. Whether we’re restoring it for personal use or preparing it for a new owner, the device is now clean, secure, and ready for a fresh start.

Conclusion

We’ve walked through the essential steps to factory reset your MacBook Air 2017, ensuring it’s ready for a fresh start or a new owner. Remember, keeping your device connected to power and the internet throughout the reinstallation process is crucial. By following the outlined procedure, you’ve not only restored your MacBook Air to its original glory but also gained valuable knowledge on managing your device’s software health. Whether you’re resetting to declutter, solve issues, or prepare for a sale, you’re now equipped to do so confidently and efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reinstall macOS on a MacBook Air 2017?

To reinstall macOS on a MacBook Air 2017, start by entering Recovery Mode by restarting your device and holding down Command + R. In macOS Utilities, select “Reinstall macOS,” agree to the terms, choose your erased hard drive as the installation destination, and begin the reinstallation process. Keep the device powered and connected to Wi-Fi as it may restart multiple times during this process.

What is the first step in reinstalling macOS on a MacBook Air 2017?

The first step is to ensure your MacBook Air is in Recovery Mode. This is achieved by restarting your MacBook Air and immediately holding down the Command + R keys until the Apple logo or another image appears.

Why is it important to keep my MacBook Air connected to the internet and power outlet during reinstallation?

Keeping your MacBook Air connected to the internet and a power outlet is crucial because the reinstallation process may download necessary files from the internet and it consumes power. Interruptions due to power loss or disconnection from the internet can halt or corrupt the installation process.

What happens after successfully reinstalling macOS on my MacBook Air 2017?

Upon successfully reinstalling macOS, your MacBook Air 2017 will be reset to its factory settings. This means the device will be as it was when initially purchased, allowing you to set it up for personal use or prepare it for a new owner.