

Make a backup of the system as noted above-always, always, always backup before you erase things, I beg of you-and then:Ĭlick the lock at the lower-left corner and enter the password.

This typically severs all Apple ID connections. If it’s impractical to erase and reinstall macOS, often a next nearly-as-good step is to create a new user account and then delete your old one(s).

In Step 3 above, you can also avoid a download that might request your Apple ID byĬreating a bootable Catalina installer drive. If you’re prompted during installation of macOS, do not! Follow these steps in a previous column Restore any files that are necessary using Migration Assistant.Īt no stage in this process should you enter your Apple ID. (You can also make a backup if you want to restore some elements on the Mac to a new user in your family or a new owner.) If you haven’t already used Migration Assistant or another method to copy all your files to a new machine, make a complete backup of your Mac.
