In this KB, learn the steps to erase M1 Mac machine or wipe Apple Silicon M1 Mac using BitRaser Drive Eraser Software.
The Apple M1 is a family of ARM-based systems-on-a-chip (SoCs) built by Apple Inc. Apple’s CPU and graphics processing unit (GPU) has transitioned from Intel to Apple silicon chips for its Mac desktops, and laptops (MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, Mac Studio, Mac Pro), as well as its tablets. The built-in Apple M1 processor allows file-level encryption, automated data encryption, and password protection, giving the Mac the same robust security features as the iPhone.
Let us now see how to erase Mac devices with M1 chip. For ease of understanding, we have divided the KB into 3 stages:
Stage 1: How to Create BitRaser Bootable USB for M1?
Before creating BitRaser bootable USB you need to ensure that the below key requirements are met.
Key Requirements:
- Operating System: macOS
- Internet: Wi-Fi or Ethernet
- RAM: 16GB (Recommended)
- USB Device: USB 3.0 With a Minimum capacity of 32 GB to create BitRaser bootable.
- Full Disk Access: The application requires Full Disk Access.
Step 1: Post-purchasing BitRaser Drive Eraser, you will receive an e-mail with your BitRaser Cloud credentials. Using these credentials, you can download the BitRaser Mac Application from the support section of the BitRaser Cloud Console to create a bootable USB.
Note: The BitRaser Mac application initiates when a bootable USB is created using the ‘BitRaser USB Creator’ utility. With the bootable drive, you can erase Mac Machines that have Apple Silicon Chip like T1, T2, M1, M1 Max, M1 Pro, M2, or Intel chips.
Step 2: Once downloaded, drag and drop the application to install. The application requires ‘Full Disk Access’ to create a BitRaser bootable USB.
Steps to Give Full Disk Access:
- Click ‘System Settings’ from the dropdown Apple menu.
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- Click the ‘Privacy & Security’ tab in the ‘System Settings’ window to locate and choose ‘Full Disk Access’.
- Enable the toggle displayed against ‘BitRaserUSBCreatorForMac’ to allow Full Disk Access permission.
Step 3: Connect a USB drive (32 GB Minimum) to your Mac machine & go to applications to launch the ‘BitRaser USB Creator for Mac’ app.
Step 4: After launching the application, select ‘T2 and above’ then click ‘Next’.
- T2 and above is selected for erasing data from Apple Silicon machines (M1, M2, T1, T2, M1 Pro, M1 Max)
- For Intel-based Mac Devices you should select the ‘Other’ option.
Step 5: Select the USB drive from the dropdown menu, and click on ‘Create’ to make a bootable USB.
The software will prompt you with a warning message that all the data on the selected USB will be erased.
Step 6: Click on ‘Continue’ to begin the process.
Note: This is a time-consuming process and can take approximately 45 Minutes to complete.
Boot the Mac using the bootable USB that you created to begin the wiping process. You may encounter the following three scenarios when booting a MacBook M1 device due to the additional security protections in Apple devices with M1 chips.
Stage 2: What are the scenarios for Booting M1 Mac?
Scenario 1: The OS is Present, and the user knows the Mac admin password.
Scenario 2: The OS is Present, but you do not know the password.
Scenario 3: The OS is NOT Present.
Let us look at the scenarios and understand how to boot M1 machines using BitRaser.
Scenario 1: The OS is Present, and the Mac admin password is known.
Simply follow Stage 3 to wipe data from M1 machine.
Scenario 2: The OS is Present, but you do not know the password.
In this case, you need to RESET the password through the following steps:
Step 1: Press the ‘Power Button’ until options are visible on the screen.
Step 2: Select ‘Options’ and click on ‘Continue’.
Step 3: Go to the terminal, type ‘resetpassword’, and then press ‘return’ key.
Step 4: Now click on ‘Deactivate Mac’.
A message appears, “Are you sure to deactivate this Mac?”
Click on ‘Deactivate’.
Step 5: You can now RESET the Password.
Step 6: Your password reset is complete; you may now proceed to Stage 3 to wipe data.
Scenario 3: The OS is NOT Present.
In the scenario where OS is not present, you must first install the macOS and then follow the steps mentioned in Scenario 1.
Stage 3: How to Wipe Mac M1?
Step 1: Connect the BitRaser bootable USB that you just created and press the ‘Power Button’ until start-up options appear.
- Select ‘Options’ and click ‘Continue’.
Step 2: Go to ‘Terminal’ and type the following command /volumes/bitraser/run and then hit the ‘return’ key.
Your Mac device will boot with BitRaser and you will see all your connected drives on the screen.
Step 3: Click on the 
icon in the top right corner of the screen. Enter the login credentials that you received in the mail post-purchase of BitRaser Drive Eraser software.
Once you are ‘Connected’ to the BitRaser Cloud Console server you will be able to see the number of licenses you have on the bottom right corner- ‘Licenses left: 374’.
Step 4: Select the Erasure method, drive to be wiped, and verification type, then click on ‘Erase'.
Step 5: Click ‘Yes’.
Your Mac Erasure process has begun; you can see the erasure status on your screen. It can take a few minutes to complete
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When the Erasure process is completed, you will see a ‘Green Tick’ on your screen.
Your data on Mac device has been permanently erased. You can view and download detailed Erasure Reports and Certificates for compliance purpose (Certificate of Data Destruction) from secure BitRaser Cloud Console.
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