How to Perform a Hard Reset on a MacBook Pro M4? Seeking Guidance!

Question

Hello everyone, I'm seeking guidance on executing a hard reset on my MacBook Pro M4. Recently, my device has become completely unresponsive, and the only potential solution I've heard about is performing a hard reset. I've tried the standard reset routines, but nothing seems to work, which leads me to believe that I might need to force a full system shutdown followed by a restart. Can anyone provide a detailed, step-by-step explanation for executing a hard reset on the M4 model? Specifically, I would appreciate insights on which key combinations to use, how long to hold them, and if there are any backup precautions I should take before initiating the reset. Thank you in advance for any advice, tips, or additional recommendations. Looking forward to your prompt response and support.

Collins · Accepted Answer

To perform a hard reset on a MacBook Pro with the M4 chip, you can follow these steps to ensure that your device is reset properly. A hard reset typically involves erasing all data and reinstalling macOS, which can help resolve performance issues or prepare the device for a new owner.

Steps to Perform a Hard Reset

Back Up Your Data: Before proceeding, make sure to back up any important files. You can use:
- Time Machine: Connect an external hard drive and use Time Machine to back up your data.
- iCloud: Sync your documents and files to iCloud.
- Third-Party Tools: Consider using tools like Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper for a bootable backup.
Deauthorize Accounts: Sign out of your Apple ID and other accounts to prevent issues later:
- Go to System Settings > Apple Account and click "Sign Out."
- Open the Messages app, go to Messages > Settings, and sign out of iMessage.
Shut Down Your Mac: Click the Apple menu and select "Shut Down" to turn off your Mac completely.
Enter Recovery Mode:
- Press and hold the power button until you see the startup options screen.
- Click on Options and then Continue to enter Recovery Mode.
Erase the Hard Drive:
- Select Disk Utility from the macOS Recovery screen.
- Choose your startup disk (usually labeled "Macintosh HD").
- Click Erase, select the format (APFS for modern macOS), and confirm the action.
Reinstall macOS:
- After erasing the disk, go back to the Recovery screen and select Reinstall macOS.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest version of macOS compatible with your Mac.
Complete the Setup Process: Once macOS is installed, your Mac will guide you through the setup process, allowing you to configure your preferences and restore data if needed.