Click the Erase button at the top of the window.ĭisk Utility presents several tools at the top of the window.In the sidebar, select the drive you want to erase or reformat.

Spotlight is the quickest way to open Disk Utility.

Open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder in your Applications.

When you’re ready, here’s how to erase or reformat drives: So make sure to back up any important files before erasing or reformatting your drives. When you reformat a drive, it also erases all the data on it. Or you might need to reformat it so it works with different operating systems, like Windows, Linux, or even iPadOS. You may want to erase your drive as a quick way to create space for new files. Feel free to skip this section if you already know how to do it. Let’s start with a brief explanation of the correct way to reformat or erase drives using your Mac. How to erase or reformat a Drive using Disk Utility

Learn how to reinstall macOS after erasing your Drive.

Boot Into Recovery Mode to Erase Your Startup Disk Run First Aid to Repair Your Drive Before Erasing It Show All Devices and Erase the Parent Drive

What if the Erase Button in Disk Utility is grayed Out?.

How to erase or reformat a Drive using Disk Utility.

If you want your Mac to start up again from the volume you just you erased, select Reinstall macOS in the utilities window, then click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions.

When done, quit Disk Utility to return to the utilities window.

Optional: If you previously used Disk Utility to add internal volumes other than Macintosh HD, you can erase them individually using the same process.

If this button isn't shown, click Erase instead.

Format: APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled), as recommended by Disk Utility.

Click the Erase button in the toolbar, then enter the requested details:.

Select Macintosh HD in the sidebar of Disk Utility.

From the utilities window, select Disk Utility and click Continue.

If asked, select a user you know the password for, then enter their administrator password.

Start up from macOS Recovery: Turn on your Mac, then immediately press and hold these two keys until you see an Apple logo or other image: Command (⌘) and R.

Mac disk utility secure erase time