In this KB, learn the steps to erase an M1 Mac machine or wipe an 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 an 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 'Cloud Variant Mac: BitRaser Drive Eraser' from the support section of the BitRaser Cloud Console to create a bootable USB.
Note: The 'BitRaser USB Creator for Mac' app is installed, which helps you create a bootable USB. With the USB, you can erase Mac Machines that have M3, M2, M1, M1 Max, M1 Pro, T2, or Intel chips.
Step 2: Once downloaded, drag and drop the application (.dmg file) 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.
- 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’. (Refer to Image 1)
- T2 and above is selected for erasing data from Apple Silicon machines (M3, M2, M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, T2)
- For Intel-based Mac Devices, you should select the ‘Other’ option.
Image 1: Select T2 and above to Create BitRaser USB to Wipe M1 Mac
Step 5: Select the USB drive from the dropdown menu, and click on ‘Create’ to make a bootable USB. (Refer to Image 2)
Image 2: Select USB to Create a BitRaser Bootable USB then Click Create
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. (Refer to Image 3)
Note: This is a time-consuming process and can take approximately 45 Minutes to complete. Once the process is finished you will see a 'Process Completed' window. (Refer to Image 4)
Image 3: Click on Continue in the Alert Window
Image 4: Click OK in the BitRaser USB Process Completed Window
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?
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 the 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’. (Refer to Image 5)
Image 5: Select Options then Click Continue
Step 3: Go to the terminal, type ‘resetpassword’, and then press ‘return’ key. (Refer to Image 6)
Image 6: Reset Password Screen Type resetpassword then Press Return Key
Step 4: Now click on ‘Deactivate Mac’.
A message appears, “Are you sure to deactivate this Mac?”
Click on ‘Deactivate’. (Refer to Image 7)
Image 7: Click Deactivate in Deactivate Mac Screen
Step 5: You can now RESET the Password. (Refer to Images 8 & 9)
Image 8: Enter New Password then Click Next
Image 9: Your M1 Mac Password is Reset now Click on Exit
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 ‘BitRaserforMac’ and click ‘Continue’. (Refer to Image 10)
Image 10: Select BitRaserforMac then Click Continue
Step 2: Click on ‘Install macOS Ventura,’ then select ‘Quit Install macOS’.
[We quit the macOS installation process as the purpose is to run BitRaser application through Terminal window under Utilities and not install macOS.] (Refer to Image 11)
Next, you will see the Quit Install macOS confirmation screen. Click ‘Quit’. (Refer to Image 12)
Image 11: Click on Install macOS Ventura, then Select Quit Install macOS
Image 12: On the Quit Install macOS Confirmation Screen, Click Quit
Step 3: You will now see the Mac Recovery screen. Go to ‘Utilities > Terminal’. (Refer to Image 13)
Image 13: In the Mac Recovery Screen, go to Utilities and Select Terminal
Step 4: In the ‘Terminal’ type the following command /volumes/bitraser/run and then hit the ‘return’ key. (Refer to Image 14)
Image 14: Type /Volume/bitraser/run in Terminal Windows
Your Mac device will boot with BitRaser, and you will see all your connected drives on the screen. (Refer to Image 15)
Image 15: BitRaser Drive Eraser Main Interface on M1 Mac
Step 5: 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 in the bottom right corner- ‘Licenses left: 374’. (Refer to Image 16)
Image 16: Enter BitRaser Cloud Console Credentials then Click Login, then Click Close
Step 6: Select the Erasure method, drive to be wiped, and verification type, then click on ‘Erase'. (Refer to Image 17)
Image 17: Select Erasure Method, Verification Type then Click Erase
Step 7: Click ‘Yes’. (Refer to Image 18)
Image 18: Click Yes To Erase Mac Device
Your Mac Erasure process has begun; you can see the erasure status on your screen. It can take a few minutes to complete. (Refer to Image 19)
Image 19: BitRaser Drive Eraser Screensaver
When the Erasure process is completed, you will see a ‘Green Tick’ on your screen. (Refer to Image 20)
Image 20: BitRaser Screensaver Erasure Completed Screen
Your data on your Mac device has been permanently erased. You can view and download detailed Erasure Reports and Certificates for compliance purposes (Certificate of Data Destruction) from the secure BitRaser Cloud Console.