Resetting your 2012 MacBook Pro to factory settings can help to restore its performance if you're experiencing technical difficulties with it. It can also be helpful for cleaning up your device before selling or donating.
To perform a factory reset:
- Shut down your MacBook Pro.
- Plug in its power cord and hold the Command + R keys together.
- When the Apple logo appears, release the keys.
- Select your language and keyboard layout.
- Select the Disk Utility option.
- Choose the Startup Disk, then click Erase.
- Confirm that you want to erase the disk and then click Erase.
- Quit the Disk Utility and select Reinstall OS X.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall the operating system.
Once the reset is finished, your MacBook Pro should be returned to its factory state.