Use Disk Utility to erase a Mac with Apple silicon

How to erase (format) the built-in startup disk of a Mac with Apple silicon.

These steps apply only to Mac computers with Apple silicon. If you're not using a Mac with Apple silicon, follow the steps to erase an Intel-based Mac.

Before erasing your Mac

  1. Install the latest macOS updates.

  2. If using macOS Monterey or later, follow the steps to erase all content and settings instead of the steps in this article. You should also do so when selling, giving away, or trading-in your Mac.

  3. These steps cause Bluetooth devices to disconnect (unpair) from your Mac. To complete these steps with a Bluetooth keyboard, mouse, or trackpad, connect them to your Mac with a USB cable, if possible.

  4. Make a backup of any files that you want to keep. Erasing your Mac permanently deletes its files.

Start up from macOS Recovery

To erase your Mac startup disk with Disk Utility, you need to first start up from macOS Recovery or a different disk.

How to start up from macOS Recovery

Use the Erase feature of Disk Utility

  1. When you see the list of utilities in Recovery, select Disk Utility, then click Continue.

    Utilities window in macOS Recovery.

  2. In the Internal section of the Disk Utility sidebar, make sure that you see the volume named Macintosh HD. Don't see Macintosh HD?

  3. If you previously used Disk Utility to add any internal volume other than Macintosh HD to your startup disk, select that additional internal volume in the sidebar, then click the delete volume (–) button in the toolbar to delete the volume. (During this step, disregard any internal volume named Macintosh HD or Macintosh HD - Data, as well as any volumes in the External or Disk Images sections of the sidebar.)

  4. Now select Macintosh HD in the sidebar.

  5. Click the Erase buttonNo alt supplied for Image in the toolbar, then specify a name and format:

    • Name: Macintosh HD

    • Format: APFS

  6. Click Erase. However, if you see an Erase Volume Group button, click that button instead.

    Prompt in Disk Utility to erase volume group.

  7. If asked, enter your Apple Account information. Forgot your Apple Account?

  8. When asked whether you're sure you want to erase this Mac, click Erase Mac and Restart.

  9. When your Mac restarts, follow the onscreen instructions to choose your language.

  10. Your Mac now attempts to activate, which requires an internet connection. Use the Wi-Fi menuNo alt supplied for Image in the menu bar to choose a Wi-Fi network, or attach a network cable.

  11. After your Mac activates, click Exit to Recovery Utilities.

  12. If you want to start up again from the disk you just erased, select Reinstall macOS in the utilities window, then click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions to reinstall macOS. If you previously installed a macOS upgrade, you might be offered the macOS that you were using before you upgraded.

If you don’t see Macintosh HD in Disk Utility

  • Your built-in startup disk should be the first item listed in the Disk Utility sidebar. It's named Macintosh HD, unless you changed its name. If you don't see it in the sidebar, choose Apple menu  > Shut Down, then unplug all nonessential devices from your Mac and try again.

  • If your disk still doesn't appear in Disk Utility, or Disk Utility reports that the erase process failed, your Mac might need service.

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