Wiping data from an old Mac

How can I wipe all personal files from my old Mac prior to its disposal?

First deauthorize all apps, including any Adobe CS/CC apps. Open iTunes and go to Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize This Computer. Now make at least two copies of anything on that Mac which may be of importance, so that you can retrieve it in the future.

Once that’s done, sign out of iCloud on that Mac, and allow this to remove iCloud data from the Mac; that data will still be accessible on other Macs using that iCloud account. Finally sign out of your account in the Messages app’s Preferences.

To erase your Mac’s storage, when running Mavericks or later, the Mac must be connected to the internet. Start it up in remote Recovery mode by holding down the Cmd+Opt+R keys. Select Disk Utility, then select your startup drive, and click the Erase tab. Erase free space too, selecting a level between the two extremes of fastest and most secure.

Erase your storage and set it to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format, then quit Disk Utility. If your Mac is being sold or passed on to another user, select Reinstall OS X. When that process reaches the step of inviting you to select your country and region, press Cmd+Q and shut your Mac down. When any new owner starts it up, it should now present them with a Welcome screen just like a new Mac, and all your old data will be gone forever. You can find out more about getting rid of an old Mac at