Can I restore my MacBook Pro M4 to its original settings without using macOS Recovery

Steps to Erase All Content and Settings

1. Open System Settings: Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings.

2. Navigate to Transfer or Reset: In the sidebar, click General, then scroll down and click Transfer or Reset.

3. Erase Your Mac: Click Erase All Content and Settings. Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm the erase process. You may be prompted to sign in with your administrator password and possibly your Apple ID to disconnect from Find My.

4. Setup Your Mac: After erasing, your Mac will restart and prompt you to set it up as if it were new. You can then reinstall macOS if needed and download any apps you previously had.

Limitations

- Data Loss: This method will erase all data, apps, and settings. Ensure you have backed up any important files before proceeding.
- System Stability: Resetting without using macOS Recovery might not fully restore the system to its original state, as some system configurations could remain altered.
- App Compatibility: Some apps may require reinstallation or reconfiguration after resetting.

If you're looking to maintain some apps and files, consider backing them up and reinstalling them after the reset. Unfortunately, there is no way to reset your MacBook to its original settings without losing apps or files, as the system and apps are intertwined[9].

Alternative Approach

If you want to avoid using the Erase All Content and Settings feature, you could manually remove user accounts, delete non-default apps, and reset system preferences. However, this method is not as thorough and may leave behind system traces[2]. For a complete reset, using macOS Recovery or the Erase All Content and Settings feature is recommended.