Generally, you simply want one thing new in life. So, I made a decision to provide away my outdated 13-inch MacBook Air (2017) and improve to the most recent mannequin. As a real reuse-reduce-recycle fan, I began getting ready my outdated Mac to provide it away. However it turned out the Erase Assistant did not work on my machine.
Determining why I couldn’t erase my Mac took a while, but it surely turned clear that Erase Assistant merely wasn’t out there for older Macs like mine.
So, this is my information on learn how to repair the “Erase Assistant will not be supported on this Mac” situation.
What’s Erase Assistant?
Erase Assistant is a built-in macOS software that wipes your onerous drive and removes all recordsdata, settings, and apps.
It is tremendous helpful for both Apple Silicon Mac or the older ones with T2 safety chips as a result of it erases knowledge with no advanced reinstall course of.
To open Erase Assistant, observe these steps:
- On macOS Ventura and newer: Open System Settings within the Apple menu > Basic > Switch or Reset > Erase All Content material and Settings.
- On macOS Monterey: Open System Preferences within the Apple menu > Erase All Content material and Settings.
Why is Erase Assistant not supported on my Mac?
So that you adopted all of the steps to seek out an Erase All Content material and Settings button however didn’t see it or encountered an error when clicking. I really feel you. That’s the place I received caught, too.
After researching, I discovered that Erase Assistant works solely on macOS Monterey or later and on particular Mac fashions.
To be particular, it’s solely suitable with:
- Apple Silicon Mac
- Intel Mac with the T2 Safety Chip
I wasn’t fully certain if my Intel-based MacBook Air (2017) supported Erase Assistant, so I made a decision to doc my steps to confirm its compatibility. Subsequent, I will present you learn how to test in case your machine is suitable.
How one can test if Mac helps Erase Assistant?
To test in case your Mac helps Erase Assistant, begin by figuring out whether or not your Mac is Intel-based or Apple Silicon-based (in the event you already know, skip this step).
To do this, click on on the Apple menu within the prime left nook of your display screen and choose About This Mac. If the window contains an merchandise labeled Chip, your Mac has Apple Silicon, and you need to use Erase Assistant.
If the window doesn’t embody a Chip merchandise, your Mac is Intel-based, and it’s good to do a couple of extra steps to test if it has a T2 Safety Chip.
Go to the Launchpad > System Data > Controller or iBridge (relying in your macOS model).
If you happen to see T2 Safety Chip listed, your Mac has it, and you need to use Erase Assistant.
What if my Mac doesn’t assist Erase Assistant?
In case your Mac would not meet Erase Assistant necessities – don’t fear. You may nonetheless erase your Mac utilizing Disk Utility in Restoration Mode. This could be a bit extra technical, however nonetheless efficient. I’ll information you thru this course of later within the article.
Additionally, in the event you don’t have Erase Assistant or simply have to delete particular recordsdata reasonably than wipe your complete Mac, I’d advocate utilizing CleanMyMac X. It should assist you to delete all recordsdata securely and utterly, and its Shredder function can erase recordsdata locked by working processes.
Right here’s how to try this:
- Open CleanMyMac X.
- Click on Shredder within the aspect menu.
- Click on Choose Information and select those you wish to delete out of your Mac.
- Click on Shred.
The recordsdata are gone eternally.
How one can repair “Erase Assistant will not be supported on this Mac”
To recap, Erase Assistant solely has two necessities:
- Mac with Apple Silicon or Intel-based Mac with T2 Safety Chip
- macOS Monterey or later
In case your Mac would not meet these necessities, you’ll be able to nonetheless erase it manually. I will clarify how to try this subsequent.
Step 1. Enter Restoration mode
Right here’s how you are able to do it:
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If in case you have an Intel-based Mac |
If in case you have Apple silicon Mac |
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If you happen to want extra detailed directions, learn our article on Restoration mode.
Step 2. Open Disk Utility
When you’re in Restoration Mode, erase your Mac disk utilizing Disk Utility:
- Go to Launchpad or press Command + House to open the Highlight search bar.
- Choose Disk Utility > Proceed.
- In Disk Utility, select your startup disk from the checklist.
- Click on the Erase button within the toolbar. Within the dialogue field, sort a disk identify, select APFS because the format, and choose Erase Quantity Group (if out there).
- Click on Erase.
Step 3. Reinstall macOS
Okay, so your Mac is clear. Now it is time to get a brand new copy of macOS. Plan no less than half-hour for this step (although it might probably take as much as 3 hours, relying in your Mac mannequin).
Here is how one can reinstall macOS:
- As soon as the disk is erased, stop Disk Utility to return to the macOS Utilities window.
- Select Reinstall macOS.
- Comply with the on-screen directions.
Relying on the mannequin of your Mac, you’ll be reinstalling the most recent suitable macOS.
To this point, macOS Sonoma is the most recent model out there, and it’s only suitable with these fashions (yow will discover a full checklist right here):
- iMac 2019 and later
- Mac Professional 2019 and later
- iMac Professional 2017
- Mac Studio 2022 and later
- MacBook Air 2018 and later
- Mac Mini 2018 and later
- MacBook Professional 2018 and later
If you happen to’re studying this after the autumn of 2024 and your Mac is suitable, you will have to reinstall macOS Sequoia.
Other ways to erase Mac
I also needs to point out a number of different strategies to erase your Mac in the event you’re having bother (e.g., your onerous drive is broken) utilizing the usual course of by Restoration mode that I described earlier within the article.
Utilizing Web Restoration mode to erase Mac
The primary different technique is utilizing Web Restoration mode. It boots instantly from Apple’s servers. You should utilize it when your onerous drive is broken and must be changed. It installs the unique OS that got here along with your Mac.
To enter Web Restoration mode, restart your Mac and maintain Command + Choice + R.
Utilizing Goal Disk mode to erase Mac
One other method is to make use of Goal Disk mode. Join your Mac to a different Mac with a Thunderbolt or FireWire cable. You may then erase your disk utilizing Disk Utility on the second Mac.
If in case you have an Intel-based machine, to enter Goal Disk Mode, join two Macs with a cable > Restart the goal Mac and maintain the T key immediately.
Right here’s a extra detailed information on learn how to use Goal Disk mode on Mac.
Recap and extra tricks to get your Mac prepared for a contemporary begin
Going by the method of erasing my Mac after seeing the “Mac Erase Assistant not supported” message left me with a couple of key insights I’d like to share.
Firstly, in case your Mac doesn’t assist Erase Assistant, don’t panic. You may nonetheless work all of it out. Simply boot into Restoration mode, use Disk Utility to erase your Mac, and observe the steps on this information.
Secondly, I ought to point out that getting ready to erase your Mac could be a lot less complicated with the assistance of some nice third-party instruments like Get Backup Professional (for backup) and DiskDrill (to recuperate any misplaced recordsdata).
Lastly, there’s no want to purchase all of those apps individually. They’re out there beneath a single subscription to the app platform Setapp (together with 240+ apps for Mac, iOS, and net). You should utilize Setapp to arrange your Mac for its new life throughout the 7-day trial.
FAQ:
Why Erase All Content material and Settings will not be displaying up on Mac
Erase Assistant doesn’t work on each Mac. You will want an Intel Mac with a particular T2 Safety chip or one in every of Apple’s newer silicon chips to make use of it. Furthermore, it’s only out there on macOS Monterey and later (another reason to at all times replace your software program!)
How one can wipe a Mac with out Erase Assistant?
If you happen to’re seeing the “Erase Assistant will not be supported on this Mac” message, don’t be concerned. Use Disk Utility in Restoration mode.
- Restart your Mac and maintain the Command + R till you see the Apple emblem.
- Within the Restoration window, select Disk Utility.
- Choose your fundamental drive, click on Erase, select the format (APFS is often the perfect), and click on Erase Quantity Group.
Essential: All the time again up your necessary knowledge earlier than erasing your Mac.
Why will not my Mac let me erase all of the content material?
To erase all of the content material in your Mac, you’ll want Erase Assistant, a built-in software. It has two necessities: Apple Silicon Mac or Intel-based Mac with a T2 Safety Chip and macOS Monterey or later.
In case your Mac doesn’t meet these necessities, Erase Assistant will not be out there. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to nonetheless erase your Mac manually utilizing Disk Utility in Restoration Mode or CleanMyMac X app.
