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Is It Possible Photo & Video Files On MacBook To Reappear After a Factory Reset?

Hello Mr. Gary, I want to ask you a question. How to reset macbook permanently. On my macbook there are files that are “private” and I have moved them to the hard disk. I’ve known on Windows OS, that even if the computer has been deleted and reset, there is still some way that can bring back the files that were there. Is this possible on macbook? I am afraid if the file is spread online by irresponsible people. Because I have plans to sell my macbook. Thank you for your help and time Mr. Gary. Sorry tor my bad English.
Device: Mac Running Monterey
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Archie

Comments: 4 Responses to “Is It Possible Photo & Video Files On MacBook To Reappear After a Factory Reset?”

    2 years ago

    So you want to completely reset your MacBook for resale? Just make sure you have all of your data and files on your new computer files. Then sign out of iCloud completely and then use the System Preferences menu function Erase All Content And Settings. Once you do that, it is all gone.

    To answer your concern about whether someone could recover that, it depends on your Mac model and whether you are using File Vault. If you are using File Vault then erasing the drive will guarantee that nothing can be recovered as all of the data was encrypted before anyway. If you have a Mac with a T2 security chip (Touch ID) then data was encrypted whether or not you used File Vault. If your Mac was before T2 and you were not using File Vault, you can simply turn it on now. Let it encrypt everything overnight. Then do the erase.

    Archie
    2 years ago

    Yes for resale. I'm using Macbook Air M1 right now. So I just have to backup data, and do factory reset. Simple as this?

    2 years ago

    Archie: Yes, your data is already encrypted. So just save the data you need, sign out of iCloud and then use the Erase All Content and Settings. See https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212749

    Archie
    2 years ago

    Thanks alot for the help Mr. Gary 🙏

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