I’m starting to transfer data from my macbook to my linux pc because I want to sell my mac. I don’t need it anymore, I can live with linux. My mac is still very good and works perfectly, I want to sell it to make some money. I was wondering if you guys knew how to securely erase data or prevent the buyer from recovering data on my mac. I have lockdown mode enabled, it has always been that way, I use a password manager to store secrets, so that is good. My main fear is for my pdf files with all my personal documents like ID, bank docs, and more legal stuff that were stored in clear on my mac’s ssd, and I really do not want to let that available to anybody. Since erasing data on an ssd is non trivial I am a bit confused as to what to do. Should I just trust the macos factory reset or can I do better? Looking forward to your answers.
Assuming you have FileVault enabled then a factory reset should be good enough.
Use Erase all Content and Settings. The drive is always encrypted so you don’t have to worry about if FileVault is enabled or not.
The best approach leverages FileVault encryption and a proper erase process to ensure your data is irrecoverable.
Don’t forget to hide its serial number (if you are sharing the mac diagnostics and about this mac as screenshots) before posting the pictures online. It can be use for fraudulent claims.
Depending on your Macbook model, you may be able to remove the drives and replace them with new/unused ones.
I have a macbook pro m1. Even if I can replace the drive, my os will be stuck on the old ssd and the new ssd in my mac will by empty, so it will complicated to sell the computer with no os especially for a mac no?
I do not know anything about installing macOS, but I do know that your personal data on the old drive will no longer be available to the next purchaser following this method if applicable.