Many people prefer to delete their hard drive on Mac if they are planning to sell, donate or recycle their machine. Simply deleting files from a Mac’s hard drive via the “move to trash” option can be dangerous because hackers can still access the files from the trash bin. To ensure complete eradication of all files and personal information, it is recommended to use a more advanced method of deleting the hard drive.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before you begin the process of deleting your hard drive on Mac, make sure that you have the following:
- A backup of all your files that you would like to keep
- Mac computer running the OS version stated in the selected method
- A stable internet connection
- A USB drive of at least 8GB for Method 3
- Time to complete the process, which varies depending on the method selected
What Should I Pay Attention to?
It is important to note that deleting a hard drive is a permanent action, and any saved or personal data cannot be recovered. Therefore, you should ensure that you have backed up all necessary files in advance. Additionally, ensure that you select a method that matches your OS version, and that you have a stable internet connection to download any necessary software. Lastly, keep in mind that the process duration will vary based on the method selected.
Method 1: Disk Utility
Description: One of the ways to delete a hard drive on Mac is via Disk Utility, a built-in feature of the macOS. The method consists of erasing the entire hard drive and reinstalling a fresh copy of the macOS.
Pros:
– This method is free and requires the least amount of effort.
– It is a built-in feature and doesn’t require any additional software.
Cons:
– It is not as secure as other methods that involve third-party applications.
– The erased data can still be recovered using file recovery software.
Steps:
1. Turn on your Mac and ensure that it is connected to a stable internet connection.
2. Open Disk Utility: Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
3. Choose the startup disk from the list of volumes on the left of the Disk Utility window.
4. Click the “Erase” button located at the top of the window.
5. Select “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)” or “APFS” file system.
6. Rename the hard drive if you desire.
7. Click on “Erase” to wipe the hard drive.
8. Once the hard drive has been erased, close Disk Utility.
9. Proceed to reinstall macOS, then select the hard drive to which you just erased.
Method 2: Erase Free Space with Terminal
Description: This method is for those who don’t wish to reinstall macOS, but want to erase any potentially recoverable data from their hard drive. The process entails wiping the free space that previously contained deleted files on the hard drive.
Pros:
– It helps to ensure that any free space left on the hard drive does not contain any personal data.
– It is a built-in feature on Mac and does not require any third-party software.
Cons:
– It takes a relatively long time, depending on the size of the hard drive.
– The erased data can still be recovered using complicated hacking tools.
Steps:
1. Open Terminal: Go to Applications >Utilities > Terminal.
2. Type the following command: sudo diskutil secureErase freespace 3 /Volumes/
3. Replace ‘
4. Press the “Enter” key.
5. Wait until the process is complete.
Method 3: Creating a Bootable USB Drive
Description: This method involves creating a bootable USB drive and using it to erase the hard drive on a Mac. You can follow this process even if your macOS is not bootable.
Pros:
– This method is a more reliable way of deleting the hard drive.
– You can use it even if your macOS is not bootable.
Cons:
– Requires the use of additional software and hardware.
– The process is time-consuming.
Steps:
1. Create a bootable USB drive: Visit the official apple page on how to create a bootable drive for your specific macOS version.
2. Plugin the bootable drive into your macOS.
3. Restart your Mac and hold down the “Option” key while it restarts until you see the startup disk options.
4. Choose the USB drive on which you want to install the macOS.
5. Select Disk Utility from the startup options.
6. Choose the startup hard disk and click "Erase"
7. Name the disk, choose the format, and click "Erase."
8. Once the process completes, choose the hard drive on which you just erased and click "Install macOS."
9. Wait as macOS is installed to the designated hard drive.
Why Can’t I Delete My Hard Drive on Mac?
1. You might not have backed up your data, and you’re not ready to lose everything.
2. Your OS version is incorrect and doesn’t support the selected method.
3. The method selected requires third-party software that you haven’t installed.
4. You are using the hard drive on which your macOS is installed.
Q: How do I know if I have backed up all my data in case of data loss after hard drive deletion?
A: You can copy all necessary personal and important files to a separate USB drive or any external backup device.
Q: Can I delete a single partition on the hard drive instead of the entire hard drive?
A: Yes, you can use the Disk Utility method to only delete selected partitions, leaving the other drives untouched. Select the partition you want to delete in Disk Utility, erase it and wait for the process to complete.
Q: Can I stop the hard drive deletion process in the middle of the process?
A: No, the hard drive deletion process is irreversible and once you begin, there’s no way to stop until the process completes.
Q: Why do I need to create a backup before deleting my hard drive?
A: Deleting the hard drive is a process that erases every file, app, and personal data from the computer, and once it is executed, there’s no going back. Creating a backup is necessary so that in the event of data loss, you have a copy of all important files.
Q: Can I sell/donate my Mac with the hard drive intact, without deleting it?
A: It’s generally not recommended to sell or donate your Mac without deleting the hard drive because your personal and confidential data can be accessed by the new owner.
Conclusion
Deleting a hard drive on Mac is a permanent process that requires caution and attention. Determine which method is best for you based on your OS version, available resources, and time. It is recommended to back up all the necessary files before beginning the deletion process and be patient until the process is finished. Remember, permanently deleting a hard drive is irreversible, and once the process is executed, there is no going back.