How to Reset Your 2013 Apple iMac Without a Passcode

The 2013 Apple iMac is a beloved and reliable workhorse for many users. However, there may come a time when you need to reset your iMac if you've forgotten your passcode or need to sell it.

Can't Access Your Passcode?

When accessing your iMac with a passcode is impossible, there are several steps you can take to reset your computer. These steps will ensure that your data is protected and you can start afresh.

Step 1: Restart in Recovery Mode

To restart your 2013 iMac in Recovery Mode, follow these steps:

Press and hold the Command R keys when the power is turned on. Continue holding the keys until the Apple logo appears or a progress bar appears. The Recovery Mode menu will then appear. Here you can access Disk Utility and other tools to reset your iMac.

Step 2: Use Disk Utility to Erase the Drive

If you decide to sell your iMac or want a clean slate, you can use Disk Utility to erase the drive:

Navigate to the Applications folder, open Utilities, and then open Disk Utility. Select your startup disk in the list on the left. Click on the Erase tab and choose a format such as macOS Extended (Journaled) or APFS. Name the drive and then click on the Erase button. Once the process is complete, restart your iMac.

Reinstall macOS

During startup, if you see the Apple logo or a progress bar, press and hold the Option key to choose the OS to boot. Select the Recovery Disk and let it install the latest version of macOS, depending on your iMac’s capabilities. Follow the prompts to set up your new macOS installation. Create a new admin account and set a strong, unique password to secure your new setup.

Alternative Method: Quit and Shutdown

If you are planning to sell the iMac and want to ensure all data is removed, use the following alternative steps to torque down your system completly. These are equivalent to performing a factory reset:

Long press the power button until the Apple logo appears. Select the gear icon, then quit macOS. Long press the power button to force shutdown. Once it is completely powered off, press the power button to restart it. During startup, select Safe Mode or use Recovery Mode to erase the drive, as described earlier.

Final Steps

After following these steps, your 2013 iMac should be ready to use with a clean macOS installation and a new admin user account.

Keywords: reset iMac, erase iMac hard drive, reinstall macOS, 2013 iMac