How to Factory Reset Mac Mini M1[with Video Tutorial]

Mac mini M1 is a powerful device that allows users to perform outstanding productivity tasks without issues. It is equipped with great hardware. This 8-core CPU-driven mini device has a surplus of SSD storage and good memory. That's why it's become a commonly employed device in many workplaces. However, it can cause issues because of filled-up storage devices, and sometimes it can run into problems, such as settings or storage-related restrictions.

Hence, many people look to factory reset Mac mini M1 to save space, make it work properly, or because they are facing a virus attack and ransomware. But, understanding how to factory reset Mac Mini requires us to tend to a few key things. Thus, this article will help you tend to a few prerequisites.

Backing up your Mac is essential to avoid data loss. You can back up your Mac with EaseUS data recovery software.

Then, it'll help you explore a few ways to factory reset your Mac mini M1 without suffering any data loss. So, let's keep digging.

Preparations Before Factory Reset Mac Mini M1

In this section, we'll talk about preparations before setting up your Mac Mini M1 for a factory reset so that you don't lose any viable data and ensure that you back up the necessary files. So, these are some critical steps to take before factory resetting your Mac Mini.

1. Recover Lost Data from Mac Mini M1 with Recovery Software

When you are going to factory reset macOS, you may face various issues and have lost some precious files already. The most important thing you'll do is recover any lost data from Mac Mini M1 before or after a factory reset. To ensure that you keep all viable data, you need a professional recovery tool like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac.

This outstanding tool has everything you need to conduct a thorough data recovery on your Mac Mini M, it supports Mac audio recovery, photo recovery, video recovery, and so on. So, it would help if you had this tool because of a few key reasons, such as:

• Ability to recover lost partitions on Mac, and also the lost data.
• Ability to recover formatted drives on Mac and from USB flash drives, SD cards, etc.
• Recover deleted files on Mac because of hard drive damage, virus attack, or operator error.

Therefore, these factors don't only make it a viable option but perhaps one of the most ones. That's why you need this tool to help you recover your lost files after factory resetting your Mac Mini. Follow the steps below, and you can recover lost data from your Mac mini M1.

Step 1. Search for lost files

Select the disk location to search for lost files (it can be an internal HDD/SSD or a removable storage device) on macOS Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, and the latest Sonoma. Click the "Search for lost files" button.

Note: Before data recovery, you'd better click "Disk Backup" from the left sidebar to create a backup of your Mac to avoid further data loss. After backing up, the software can recover data from the Mac backup, and your computer can wirte new data again.

Step 2. Go through the scanning results

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac will immediately scan your selected disk volume and display the scanning results.

Step 3. Select the file(s) and recover

In the scan results, select the file(s) to preview and click the "Recover" button to have them back.

2. Sign Out of iCloud on Mac Mini M1

The next thing you'll do is sign out from your iCloud on Mac mini M1. You don't want to run into the Apple ID issue after factory resetting your Mac device. So, how do you do that? Here's how:

Step 1. Go to System Preferences.

Step 2. Find and click on Apple ID.

Step 3. Head into Overview.

Step 4. Click on Sign Out.

Step 5. Confirm when prompted.

And this will help you sign out of the Apple ID from your Mac Mini. So, you can proceed with ease once you do this.

3. Sign Out iMessage on Mac Mini M1

Another thing you need to do before proceeding is to sign out of iMessage on Mac mini M1. This way, you won't lose any messages when you sign into your account once more. So, how do you sign out of iMessage? Here's how:

Step 1. Open the Messages app on your Mac device.

Step 2. Click on messages in the top-left corner, then click Preferences.

Step 3. Select iMessage.

Step 4. Find and click on "Sign out" to log out.

This will sign you out of your messages and ensure that it doesn't cause any issues upon signing back in after resetting.

4. Deauthorize and Unlink the Account on Mac Mini M1

The next step is to remove and unlink your account on Mac Mini. So, how do you do that? The first thing you'll do is log into your iTunes account. Once you do, follow these steps to deauthorize your account on Mac mini:

Step 1. Head into accounts options from the top bar.

Step 2. Find and expand the Authorization sub-menu.

Step 3. Find and click Deauthorize this computer.

This way, you will unlink and deauthorize your account from your Mac Mini or any mac device.

5. Reset NVRAM on Mac Mini M1

You will reset the NVRAM on your Mac mini for this next step. For now, here's what you need to do to reset NVRAM on a Mac device:

Step 1. Turn off your Mac mini.

Step 2. Press your Mac's power button.

Step 3. Immediately press Command + Option + P + R on your keyboard.

Step 4. Keep holding those keys until your Mac mini restarts again.

This will clear up any NVRAM cache and reset it without any hassle.

6. Unpair Bluetooth Devices on Mac Mini M1

The last prerequisite is to remove or unpair any Bluetooth or wireless devices from your Mac Mini. These devices could hinder the factory reset process. So, here's how you can remove them:

Step 1. Head to Apple Menu.

Step 2. Then go into System Settings.

Step 3. Find and click Bluetooth in the sidebar.

Step 4. Hold the pointer over the devices.

Step 5. Click and disconnect each device.

This will remove any devices from your list and ensure that you don't run into issues related to these devices when resetting your Mac.

How to Factory Reset Mac Mini M1 in 2 Ways

Now that prerequisites are out of the way, let's talk about how to factory reset your Mac Mini M1. In this section, you will be provided with a video alongside a tutorial. So, it doesn't only become easier for you, but the instructions are clear as well.

In this video, you will find essential information at times, such as:

• 01:05 Pressing and holding to initiate the settings splash screen
• 01:55 Exploring the few restore/reset options in the menu
• 02:50 Which options to pick when erasing your Mac entirely

Fix 1. Factory Reset Mac Mini M1 With Erase All Content and Settings Option

The first fix is to reset your Mac mini entirely, including all content and settings. This option will erase everything on your Mac device, including all the settings and other information you might have stored on your Mac.

So, ensure you follow the steps mentioned before to secure your data and information. Once done, here's what you'll do:

Step 1. Click "System Preferences" on the Mac mini.

Step 2. Click Erase All Content and Settings.

Step 5. Follow the prompts to factory reset M1 Mac.

Step 6. Wait for your Mac Mini to finish resetting.

This will remove and reset all of your data on Mac Mini. So, once again, ensure you have taken all the necessary steps before taking this particular action.

Fix 2. Factory Reset Mac Mini M1 in Recovery Mode

In this method, you will be restoring or resetting your Mac mini M1 using the Recovery Mode. So, in order to do that, you will have to follow these steps:

Step 1. Turn off your Mac Mini M1.

Step 2. Press the power button and hold Command + R on your keyboard.

Step 3. Wait for options to show up.

Step 4. Find and click Disk Utility and wait for it to load.

Step 5. Erase the disk named Macintosh HD.

Step 6. Back to recovery options.

Step 7. Click on Reinstall macOS.

Step 8. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Step 9. Wait for it to finish.

This will reinstall your MacOS while restoring your Mac mini to factory settings. So, make sure you follow these steps to factory reset your Mac mini.

Summary

These are some of the most viable ways to reset your Mac Mini M1. You must take all the aforementioned steps to avoid mishaps with your data or other information. Therefore, use EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac to avoid unnecessary data loss.

Factory Reset Mac Mini FAQs

If you have any further questions, then here's our FAQ section to help you address those queries.

How do I wipe my Mac Mini and reinstall OS?

By the steps mentioned in this article, you can wipe your Mac mini and reinstall your macOS at the same time. So, make sure you follow the steps mentioned in the "reset through recovery" section.

How do I factory reset my Mac and delete everything?

In this article, we have explored two options. Use Erase Assistant on Mac or factory reset Mac in the Recovery Mode. The first method is easier.

1. 1. Open the System Preferences menu.
2. 2. Click "Erase All Content and Settings" on your Mac mini.
3. 3. Follow the prompts to factory reset your Mac mini.

How do I restore my Mac Mini M1 to factory settings?

This article explored how you can restart your Mac mini M1 into recovery mode. Once there, you can choose to reinstall your Mac mini M1 or use Disk Utility to wipe everything on it. Either way, you can reset your Mac mini M1 to factory settings.

How do I factory reset my Mac mini without a password?

If you forget your password, you can factory reset the Mac mini m1 in Recovery Mode.

1. 1. In the Mac log-in interface, shut down the Mac.
2. 2. Press the power button and hold Command + R on your keyboard.
3. 3. Wait for options to show up.
4. 4. Find and click Disk Utility and wait for it to load.
5. 5. Erase the disk named Macintosh HD.
6. 6. Back to recovery options.
7. 7. Click on Reinstall macOS.
8. 8. Follow the on-screen instructions.
9. 9. Wait for it to finish.