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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The right way to erase an SSD on a Mac depends on whether you’re preparing the whole Mac for a new owner, erasing an external drive for reuse, or need drive-level sanitization. For an eligible Mac changing owners, Apple recommends Erase All Content and Settings. Disk Utility can erase and reformat an external SSD, but Apple says it does not provide secure-erase options for SSDs—so reformatting alone does not prove every physical cell has been sanitized.
Choose the workflow that matches your goal
| Your goal | Apple-supported route | What it establishes |
|---|---|---|
| Prepare an eligible Mac for a new owner | Erase All Content and Settings | Erases settings, data, and apps while keeping the installed operating system. Available on macOS Monterey 12 or later for Apple-silicon Macs and Intel Macs with a T2 Security Chip. Apple’s eligibility and reset instructions. |
| Erase a Mac startup disk when Erase All Content and Settings is unavailable or not appropriate | macOS Recovery, using the instructions for Apple silicon or Intel | Erases the startup volume or volume group; reinstall macOS if you plan to use the Mac again. Intel instructions and Apple-silicon instructions. |
| Erase an external SSD for reuse | Disk Utility → View → Show All Devices → select the device → Erase | Erases and reformats the selected device. Apple says Disk Utility has no secure-erase options for SSDs. Disk Utility instructions. |
| Meet a drive-level sanitization requirement for a standalone SSD | Consult the SSD maker’s instructions for the exact model | A universal command or procedure for an unspecified drive is not established by Apple’s cited guidance. |
Apple uses “secure erase” to describe an outcome many people want, but the available method matters: erasing a volume or reformatting it is not proof that every physical cell, spare block, or remapped area has been sanitized. Choose the route based on the device and required outcome, not just the menu’s word “Erase.”
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Before you erase: save anything you need
Erasing deletes the contents of the selected disk or Mac. Copy wanted files to a separate location and verify that the backup is accessible before proceeding. Apple’s Disk Utility guidance likewise warns users to back up data before erasing a storage device.
For a Mac being sold or given away: use Erase All Content and Settings when eligible
Apple supports this route on a Mac running macOS Monterey 12 or later if it has Apple silicon or an Intel processor with the T2 Security Chip. It removes settings, data, and apps while maintaining the currently installed operating system. Apple says to use this method when it is available rather than manually erasing the startup disk.
#1 Best Overall
- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
On macOS Ventura 13 or later
- Open Apple menu → System Settings → General → Transfer or Reset.
- Select Erase All Content and Settings and follow the onscreen instructions.
On macOS Monterey 12
Use System Preferences and choose Erase All Content and Settings from the menu bar, then follow the onscreen instructions. The precise menu wording can vary with the installed macOS version. See Apple’s current erase and factory-reset guidance for eligibility and steps.
For a startup disk: use the Recovery instructions for your Mac
If Erase All Content and Settings is not available, or you have another reason to erase the startup disk, use macOS Recovery. The startup method and screens differ by processor type, so follow Apple’s matching instructions rather than mixing steps.
Rank #2
- Get NVMe solid state performance with up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds in a portable, high-capacity drive(1) (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device & other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
- Up to 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance mean this tough drive can take a beating(3) (Previously rated for 2-meter drop protection and IP55 rating. Now qualified for the higher, stated specs.)
- Use the handy carabiner loop to secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind.
- Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256‐bit AES hardware encryption.(3)
- Easily manage files and automatically free up space with the SanDisk Memory Zone app.(5). Non-Operating Temperature -20°C to 85°C
Intel Mac
Start from macOS Recovery, open Disk Utility, select Macintosh HD, and erase it. If Disk Utility offers Erase Volume Group, use that option. Reinstall macOS if you intend to keep using the Mac. Apple advises Monterey-or-later users with a supported Mac to use Erase All Content and Settings instead. Follow Apple’s Intel startup-disk instructions.
Apple-silicon Mac
Start from macOS Recovery, select Macintosh HD in Disk Utility, and erase it or the volume group if offered. Reinstall macOS only if you plan to reuse the Mac. Apple notes that an internet connection is required for activation after erasure. Follow Apple’s Apple-silicon startup-disk instructions.
Rank #3
- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
For an external SSD: Disk Utility erases and reformats, not secure-sanitizes
- Connect the external SSD and open Disk Utility.
- Choose View → Show All Devices.
- Select the external device you intend to erase, checking its name and capacity carefully.
- Select Erase, choose the format and other options appropriate for how you’ll use the drive, then confirm.
These steps are for erasing and reformatting. Apple explicitly states: “With a solid-state drive (SSD), secure erase options are not available in Disk Utility.” Do not treat a multi-pass overwrite setting or a completed format as evidence that all SSD storage cells were sanitized. See Apple’s Disk Utility guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When the requirement is physical drive sanitization
If you must meet a defined sanitization standard for a standalone SSD, identify its exact manufacturer and model, then consult the manufacturer’s current instructions for that drive and connection type. Apple’s general Disk Utility instructions do not establish a model-independent sanitize procedure. Do not proceed on the assumption that a generic erase command, reformat, or overwrite utility will reliably address spare or remapped blocks.
Rank #4
- Note: Magsafe is not available in this version
- High-speed Data Transfer: Lexar external SSD ES3 supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write to transfer files fast for more efficient work. (Performance may be lower if not supporting USB 3.2 Gen 2 on Mac and other systems)
- Wide Compatibility: Lexar Portable SSD ES3 compatibility with iPhone 17 series (Not supported on iPhone 14 and older models), Android mobile devices, laptops, cameras, Xbox X|S, PS4, PS5, gaming console, and more
- On The Go: Lexar external solid state drive ES3's thin, stylish, and durable design, weighs 42g and is only 10.5mm thick, making it smaller than a card and easily fits in your pocket. It comes with a Type-C cable for plug-and-play convenience
- Data Safety First: Lexar SSD ES3 includes Lexar DataShieldTM 256-bit AES encryption software to protect files
What FileVault does—and does not establish
Apple recommends enabling FileVault for additional security when using an SSD. See Apple’s FileVault guidance. The cited guidance does not establish that turning FileVault on after data has already been written sanitizes earlier physical copies, so treat FileVault as protection for data use, not a universal disposal procedure.
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