You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: ron752
ron752 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Updating Mac OS from Mavericks to Catalina

I am preparing my MacBook Pro 2014 for sale. I have erased the hard disk and have reloaded the Operating System. This has defaulted to the original software ie. OS Mavericks. I would prefer to see the laptop with OS Catalina which was operating on my laptop before all data was wiped from the system.


To enter the new factory set conditions, I am being asked to set up new ID in order to get the laptop working. If I set up a new ID, can I 'wipe' this after I have updated the operating system to Catalina, so that the new owner starts off from scratch? If so, how?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jul 14, 2020 7:07 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: christopher rigby1
christopher rigby1
User level: Level 4
2,247 points

Posted on Jul 21, 2020 10:52 AM

Answer : if you're being asked to create a new ID then no, you shouldn't erase it. Normally, when reinstalling an OS for a new user, you'd quit the installer at the point where it's installed and asking for user details, so the new owner can do that bit.


In your case, I'd create a new user with just the basic stuff in, and an easy password to give the new owner. They can then set up a new admin user with their own details, then erase the user you created. That would be the simplest way to proceed.

View in context
2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: christopher rigby1
christopher rigby1
User level: Level 4
2,247 points

Jul 21, 2020 10:52 AM in response to ron752

Answer : if you're being asked to create a new ID then no, you shouldn't erase it. Normally, when reinstalling an OS for a new user, you'd quit the installer at the point where it's installed and asking for user details, so the new owner can do that bit.


In your case, I'd create a new user with just the basic stuff in, and an easy password to give the new owner. They can then set up a new admin user with their own details, then erase the user you created. That would be the simplest way to proceed.

Reply
User profile for user: Eau Rouge
Eau Rouge
User level: Level 8
42,602 points

Jul 15, 2020 8:59 PM in response to ron752

The official Apple line is that when preparing a mac for reselling the it should be prepared with its original

operating system.


What to do before you sell, give away or trade in your Mac – Apple Support


Although in theory you can upgrade directly from Mavericks to Catalina it has proven problematic

as the install stalls as it tries to convert the drive from HFS+ to APFS. One way to get a round that

is to upgrade to High Sierra first. You could try that and see if you can upgrade without using your

AppleID, although that could be problematic as you will need to set up High Sierra before you can

upgrade to Catalina. If you can do that and go through the upgrade to Catalina then remember to

leave the Catalina upgrade at the set up stage so the new owner can apply their AppleID to the mac.



Use Safari to click on this link, do not use Firefox.

How to upgrade to macOS High Sierra - Apple Support

Reply

Updating Mac OS from Mavericks to Catalina

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up