Best practices for moving computers within your organization
In many organizations, there are instances where a computer is returned by one user and needs to be prepared for a new user. In such cases, it’s recommended to erase the computer and reinstall macOS completely. This process guarantees a fresh and clean setup for the new user, eliminating any concerns about residual data on the computer. If the computer is enrolled in Kandji, you can follow these steps to erase the device.
What happens when I erase a Mac remotely?
The behavior of macOS varies based on the version and hardware support. Specifically, one of two actions will be triggered: Erase All Content and Settings, or obliteration. The remote wipe behavior experienced, which is unique to each combination of hardware and macOS version, is subject to multiple conditions. These conditions are detailed in our Lock Device and Erase Device support article.
Can I erase a Mac locally?
If you need to erase the computer locally, there are a few options. Apple has a support article on how to Erase your Mac and reset it to factory settings. That article shows how to Erase all Content and Settings on Apple Silicon computers and Intel devices with the Apple T2 Security Chip so that macOS doesn't have to be reinstalled once the device is erased. It also has additional article links that cover how to erase the device when that option isn't available. If macOS needs to be reinstalled, you can use Apple's support article on How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery.