How to Erase Data on MacBook Air (Intel-based and Apple silicon)?

Quick Navigation:

• Why Wipe Data on Your MacBook Air?
• Wipe Data on MacBook Air Using Third-Party Software
• Tips Before Wiping Data on MacBook Air
• Conclusion
• FAQs About Erasing Data on MacBook Air

Are you setting up to sell your MacBook Air, or do you want to give it a new start? Wiping your MacBook Air's data is a must if you want to keep your personal information safe, whether you're moving to a new model, giving your old one to a friend, or fixing problems that won't go away.

This guide will teach you everything you need to know to erase all the data on your MacBook Air. By following these steps, you can easily prepare your device for the next chapter. You can be sure that your data has been erased completely and safely. Let's start over with your MacBook Air!

Why Wipe Data on Your MacBook Air?

There are several strong reasons to delete all the data on your MacBook Air to keep it safe and useful:

Selling or Giving Away

Wiping the info off of your MacBook Air is a must if you want to sell or give it away. After this process, the new owner won't be able to see your personal files, apps, or settings. This protects your privacy and stops anyone from misusing your information.

Troubleshooting

Wiping data can be a very useful way to fix problems. If you keep having software problems that other solutions haven't been able to fix, starting over can often fix issues caused by damaged files, software conflicts, or other deeper problems.

Performance

Your MacBook Air may run slower over time if it has a lot of data, apps, and system junk. If you delete the data on your gadget, it starts over, which might make it work better. Eliminating old or useless files can clean up your MacBook Air and make it feel brand new.

Security

Data wiping is very important for safety. It ensures that all your personal information is deleted safely, keeping you safe from identity theft or data breaches. By completely erasing your data, you keep private information safe and prevent people from accessing it without your permission.

Wipe Data on MacBook Air Using Third-Party Software

There are built-in tools in macOS for wiping data, but third-party data erasure software can give you more options and features. DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac is a well-known and trustworthy choice, a complete data management program that can safely erase the data on your MacBook Air.

This Mac data erasure software offers three modes to securely and permanently erase data on MacBook Air:

Mode 1: Selective erase files or folders on MacBook Air.

If you don't want to erase the entire hard drive, this option is good for you. Just select the files or folders that contain your sensitive data, then click on Erase Now button, DoYourData Super Eraser will help you permanently erase and destroy them, beyond the scope of data recovery.

Mode 2: Erase the entire hard drive.

This option is designed for wiping all the existing and deleted data stored on your hard drive or storage media. Please be careful when you choose this option because it will erase all the existing data and history data from the hard drive. After the process gets finished, all data is lost for good.

Mode 3: Wipe free disk space on MacBook Air.

This erasure mode will help you wipe free disk space to permanently erase all the deleted/formatted/lost data on the hard drive. It will wipe all the history data and traces. At the same time, it will not erase the existing data without affect the existing data.

Choose Data Erasure Method:

• Choose Erasure Mode: After downloading and installing DoYourData Super Eraser on your MacBook Air, open it and choose a data erasure standard depending on your needs.
• Select Security Level: DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac lets you erase data at different levels. Pick the amount of safety that works best for you. The highest level will write over the info 35 times, making it impossible to get back.
• Start Erasure: Click the "Erase Now" or “Wipe Now” button to start the erase process. DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac will let you know that this can't be undone. Confirm your decision to move forward.

Monitor the Erasure Process:

• Wait for Completion: DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac will show a progress bar that shows how the data deletion is going. How long it takes depends on the size of the disk and the level of security you choose.
• Completion Notification: When the process is complete, DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac will let you know that the data was deleted properly.

Reinstall macOS:

• Restart Your MacBook Air: Once you're done wiping the info, turn your MacBook Air back on.
• Enter Recovery Mode: Please hold down the Command and R keys on your MacBook Air while it turns back on. Release the keys when you see the Apple logo or a spinning world. If you are a MacBook Air with Apple silicon, just press and hold Power button when restarting it until it boots into macOS Recovery mode. Select Options and click on Continue button.
• Reinstall macOS: You can reinstall macOS by choosing "Reinstall macOS" in the macOS Utilities window and following the on-screen directions. It will put a new copy of macOS on your empty disk.

Tips Before Wiping Data on MacBook Air

Here are Some important tips before wiping your MacBook Air:

• Backup Important Data: Using Time Machine, an external drive, or cloud storage, ensure you have a full copy of all the important information you need.
• Sign out of Accounts: To avoid problems with data sharing later on, log out of iCloud, iTunes, iMessage, and any other accounts.
• Deauthorize Software: Take away permission to use any software or apps, especially ones that have limited rights.
• Check for External Devices: Disconnect all external devices to keep your data from getting lost by mistake.
• Update macOS: Please make sure that your macOS is up to date. It will make reinstalling it easier after wiping.
• Ensure Sufficient Power: Keep your MacBook Air plugged in so the erasing process is not interrupted.

Conclusion:

If you want to keep your personal information safe, delete all the data on your MacBook Air before you sell it, give it away, fix it, or make it run faster. Following this guide, you can permanently delete all the data on your MacBook Air using DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac. It will make sure that all of your private data is gone.

Before you begin the process, it's important to save a copy of important files, log out of your accounts, and stop software from running. After following these steps, you can feel good about getting your MacBook Air ready for the next chapter. Your data will be safe, and your machine will be ready for a new start.

FAQs About Erasing Data on MacBook Air

1. How to erase startup disk on MacBook Air?

• If the MacBook Air is an Intel-based Mac, press and hold Command+R, otherwise, press and hold the Power button until you see macOS Recovery mode screen. Then select Options, click on Continue button.
• Select Disk Utility, click on Continue button.
• Then open Disk Utility, select the startup disk such as Macintosh HD, click on Erase button.
• Select a file system, click on Erase button again to erase the startup disk.
• When it gets finished, quit Disk Utility, then choose Reinstall macOS to start installing macOS.

Note: The data which is erased by Disk Utility is not lost for good and it can be recovered by data recovery software - such as Do Your Data Recovery for Mac.

2. How to permanently erase data on MacBook Air?

To prevent potential data recovery, you should permanently erase your data before selling or donating your MacBook Air. DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac can help you securely and permanently erase data on MacBook Air.

• Download and install DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac, open it.
• Choose a data erasure mode.
• Start erasing data on your MacBook Air.

3. How to wipe external hard drive on MacBook Air?

• Connect the external hard drive to your MacBook Air.
• Download and install DoYourData Super Eraser on your MacBook Air.
• Open this disk wipe software, choose Wipe Hard Drive mode.
• Select the external hard drive, click on Wipe Now button.
• Select a data erasure method, click on Continue button.
• Format and wipe the external hard drive.

4. What is the best disk wipe software for MacBook Air?

Here is the list of top 5 disk wipe software for MacBook Air:

• Disk Utility
• DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac
• AweEraser for Mac
• SD Card Formatter for Mac
• R-wipe for Mac

5. Can I recover erased data on MacBook Air?

No, once the data is erased by DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac, the data is lost for good, cannot be recovered by any data recovery method.

But, if the data is erased by Disk Utility or Terminal, or you just delete the data+empty trash, the data can be recovered by data recovery software.