Before you sell or trade in your iMac, you need to factory reset it. That means backing up your files, signing out of your Apple Account and erasing everything, so the next owner gets a clean, unlocked Mac and your personal data stays private. This guide shows you how to wipe an iMac before selling, step by step, for every model from the 2015 Intel iMacs to the latest M4 iMac.
Quick answer: To factory reset an iMac before selling, back it up, then sign out of your Apple Account to turn off Find My. On M1, M3, M4, iMac Pro and 2020 27-inch iMacs, go to System Settings → General → Transfer or Reset → Erase All Content and Settings. On older Intel iMacs, erase Macintosh HD in macOS Recovery and reinstall macOS.
In this guide:
- Why you must wipe your iMac before selling it
- Which reset method your iMac uses
- Step-by-step: back up, sign out, erase and check
- Troubleshooting common reset problems
- Frequently asked questions
Why you must wipe your iMac before selling it
Deleting files or your user account doesn't remove your data. Moving files to the Trash doesn't either. Anyone with basic recovery tools could get back your photos, saved passwords, messages, tax documents and browser history. A proper factory reset does two important things:
- It protects your privacy by securely erasing the startup disk.
- It removes Activation Lock. Every Apple silicon iMac, and every Intel iMac with the Apple T2 Security Chip, is linked to your Apple Account through Find My. If it's still linked, the next owner can't set it up, and most buyers, including us, can't accept it.
Doing it right also helps you get a better offer, because a buyer can check a wiped, unlocked iMac quickly.
Which factory reset method does your iMac use?
The fastest way to reset an iMac depends on its chip. To check yours, open the Apple menu → About This Mac, or use our iMac model lookup.
| iMac model | Chip | How to reset |
|---|---|---|
| iMac 24-inch M4 (2024) | Apple silicon | Erase All Content and Settings |
| iMac 24-inch M3 (2023) | Apple silicon | Erase All Content and Settings |
| iMac 24-inch M1 (2021) | Apple silicon | Erase All Content and Settings |
| iMac 27-inch (2020) | Intel + T2 chip | Erase All Content and Settings |
| iMac Pro (2017) | Intel + T2 chip | Erase All Content and Settings |
| iMac 21.5-inch and 27-inch (2015–2019) | Intel | macOS Recovery + reinstall macOS |
Erase All Content and Settings needs macOS Monterey (12) or later. If your Mac runs an older version, use the macOS Recovery method in Step 4.
Step 1: Back up your iMac
A factory reset deletes everything and can't be undone, so start with a full backup.
- Time Machine (recommended): connect an external drive, open System Settings → General → Time Machine, add the drive and click Back Up Now.
- iCloud: make sure iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive and Desktop & Documents have fully synced.
- Everything else: save app licence keys, exported passwords and any files stored outside your user folder.
When your new Mac arrives, Migration Assistant can restore everything from the Time Machine backup in one go.
Step 2: Sign out of your Apple Account and turn off Find My
This is the most important step when you prepare an iMac for sale, because it removes Activation Lock.
- macOS Ventura or later: open System Settings, click your name at the top of the sidebar, scroll down and click Sign Out.
- macOS Monterey or earlier: open System Preferences → Apple ID → Overview → Sign Out.
- Enter your Apple Account password when asked. This turns off Find My Mac and Activation Lock.
Then sign out of Messages (Messages → Settings → iMessage → Sign Out) and FaceTime (FaceTime → Settings → Sign Out).
Step 3: Deauthorize apps and remove management profiles
- Apple Music and iTunes: in the Music app, choose Account → Authorizations → Deauthorize This Computer.
- Other software: deactivate licences for apps like Adobe Creative Cloud or Microsoft Office so you can use them on your new Mac.
- Work or school iMacs: open System Settings → General → Device Management. If a management (MDM) profile is listed, ask your IT team to release the iMac. Managed iMacs can't be sold until they're removed.
- Boot Camp: if you installed Windows, remove the Windows partition with Boot Camp Assistant first. Otherwise the erase may stop with a message about other volumes.
- Firmware password (Intel iMacs): if you set one, turn it off in macOS Recovery → Utilities → Startup Security Utility.
Step 4: Erase your iMac and reset it to factory settings
Method A: Erase All Content and Settings (M1, M3, M4, iMac Pro, 2020 27-inch iMac)
- On macOS Ventura or later, open System Settings → General → Transfer or Reset and click Erase All Content and Settings. On macOS Monterey, open System Preferences, then choose System Preferences → Erase All Content and Settings from the menu bar.
- Enter your administrator password. If asked, enter your Apple Account password too.
- Confirm the erase. The iMac restarts, erases itself and shows the Hello setup screen.
- Don't set it up. Turn it off by holding the power button. It's now ready for its new owner.
Method B: Factory reset an Intel iMac using macOS Recovery
- Shut down the iMac. Press the power button and immediately hold Command (⌘) + R until the Apple logo appears.
- Select Disk Utility, choose Macintosh HD in the sidebar and click Erase. Use the APFS format, or Mac OS Extended (Journaled) on older versions of macOS. If you see Erase Volume Group, click it.
- Erase any other internal volumes you created, then quit Disk Utility.
- Choose Reinstall macOS and follow the prompts. Your iMac needs an internet connection for this.
- When the setup assistant appears, press Command (⌘) + Q and choose Shut Down.
Apple silicon tip: to open Recovery on an M1, M3 or M4 iMac, shut it down, then press and hold the power button until Loading startup options appears. Click Options → Continue.
Step 5: Remove your iMac from your Apple Account online
To be sure Activation Lock is fully off, sign in at account.apple.com. Open Devices, select the iMac and click Remove from account. If it still appears in Find My at icloud.com/find, remove it there as well.
Step 6: Final checklist before you sell your iMac
- The iMac starts up to the Hello screen and doesn't ask for your Apple Account.
- Intel iMacs only: reset NVRAM by holding Option + Command + P + R for about 20 seconds at startup. Apple silicon iMacs handle this automatically.
- Unpair your Bluetooth keyboard, mouse or trackpad only if you're keeping them.
- Pack the power cable. On the 24-inch iMac, the external power adapter is required, and the original Magic Keyboard and Mouse can raise your offer.
- Wipe the screen and case with a soft, dry microfibre cloth.
Troubleshooting: iMac factory reset problems
"Erase All Content and Settings" is missing
Your iMac is either an Intel model without the T2 chip or runs macOS Big Sur or earlier. Use Method B (macOS Recovery) instead.
The iMac still asks for the previous owner's Apple Account
Activation Lock is still on. Sign in at account.apple.com and remove the iMac from your devices, then restart it. If the iMac isn't yours, the original owner has to remove it.
"Reinstall macOS" fails or is very slow
Check your Wi-Fi or connect an Ethernet cable. On Intel iMacs, Internet Recovery (Option + Command + R) installs the latest compatible macOS.
Frequently asked questions
How do I wipe my iMac without losing anything?
Make a full Time Machine backup and let iCloud finish syncing before you erase. You can then restore everything to your new Mac with Migration Assistant.
Can I factory reset an iMac without the password?
You can erase an Intel iMac from macOS Recovery without your login password. But turning off Activation Lock always needs the Apple Account password. If you've forgotten it, reset it at iforgot.apple.com first.
Does a factory reset remove all my data?
Yes. Both Erase All Content and Settings and a Disk Utility erase permanently remove your data. On Apple silicon and T2 iMacs the disk is encrypted, so erasing it makes the old data unreadable. We also securely erase every device we receive.
How long does it take to reset an iMac?
Erase All Content and Settings takes a few minutes. A Recovery erase plus reinstalling macOS usually takes 30–60 minutes, depending on your internet speed.
Should I reset my iMac before trading it in?
Yes. Whether you sell it privately, trade it in or sell it to a buyback service, always back up, sign out and erase first. An iMac that's still linked to your Apple Account can't be accepted.
Can I sell an iMac that won't turn on?
We only buy iMacs that power on and show a usable picture. Cosmetic wear and some display issues are fine. Check our iMac eligibility rules.
Sell your iMac for cash today
Once your iMac is backed up, signed out and factory reset, it's ready to sell. Get an instant iMac quote based on your exact model, chip, memory, storage and condition. It takes about a minute. We send a free prepaid shipping label and pay you fast once your iMac passes inspection. See how it works or get a bulk quote for five or more devices.