Click the Sign Out option on the bottom-left side of the window.Select System Preferences from the Menu bar.Otherwise, the next owner may be able to access it.

Similar to iTunes, you have to sign out of your iCloud account, too. Once you enter that, it will give you the option to Deauthorize your account.

iTunes will ask you for your Apple ID and your password.Scroll down to Authorizations and select Deauthorize This Computer.Select Account from the options on the Menu bar.That way, your account will no longer be linked to the machine. If your iTunes account is connected to your computer, then the next owner will be able to access it. For example, you can use iCloud or another cloud storage solution to store all of your files online.Ĭlick here to learn how to back up your computer to iCloud. If you’d prefer not to use Time Machine for any reason, you can use alternative methods.By plugging in an external HD and backing everything up to Time Machine on a regular basis, you’ll create a copy of it that you can use in case you lose your data for any reason (it happens, believe us). It’s a good idea to do this regularly even if you don’t plan on wiping your hard drive.This will create a copy of your internal hard drive and write it onto the external one. Typically, you’ll want to plug in an external hard drive and select that. Choose the disk you’d like to use to back up your computer.Click Select Backup Disk, located in the top-middle of the window.Select the Time Machine icon in the System Preferences folder.Open System Preferences, located on the Apple Menu bar.Here’s how you use it to back up your computer: Read Related Article: Hard Disk Drive vs. Whether you’re getting rid of the computer or wiping your hard drive to fix an error, the best way to back up your Mac is to use Time Machine.Įssentially, this is a tool that Apple created to help people create a “copy” of their computer that could be accessed at a later date. Can you install Windows on a Mac after you erase it?īefore you even think about wiping your hard drive, make sure that you have everything backed up.Īfter all, even if you don’t want the computer anymore, you probably want all of the stuff on it.Īnd once you restore your computer to factory settings, all your photos, videos, documents, and downloads are going to be gone.Can you wipe a Mac without the password?.Can you erase your hard drive and keep the same programs?.Do you have to wipe a Mac’s hard drive before you sell it?.Can you reset a MacBook without losing data?.Backup Your Computer Using Time Machine.

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