How To Factory Reset Your Mac

screenrant.com:

For a Mac user wanting to factory reset their device, the process is far from straightforward. However, there are still a few reasons that warrant doing so. If a user is selling their Mac computer or giving it to someone else to example, a factory reset ensures all their data is erased. If a Mac becomes sluggish or has a nagging issue that can't be solved, a factory reset can sometimes solve the problem. Restoring a Mac to its factory settings gives it a clean slate, but this also means that users need to ensure they have backed up all their data.

Before resetting a Mac, there are a few steps to follow. To start, back up the system via Time Machine to an external drive or to iCloud. Alternatively, if shifting to a new Mac, use Migration Assistant to copy over all files and data. The next step is to sign out of iTunes (not applicable to Macs running macOS Catalina or later) by clicking on Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize this computer. After this, sign out of the Apple ID via System Preferences. The sign out of iMessage by going into Messages Preferences. An optional last step before erasing a Mac is unpairing any paired Bluetooth devices, such as earphones, mice, keyboards, etc.

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After following Apple's guidelines, users can proceed to reset their Mac. Note that these steps only apply to Intel-based Macs, and steps for Macs with Apple Silicon are different. On an Intel-powered Mac, start up the system from macOS Recovery. Turn on the Mac and immediately press the Command (⌘) and R keys until an Apple logo or other image appears on the screen. Enter the administrator password, and then select Disk Utility followed by 'Continue'. Select the Macintosh HD that appears on the