How to fix 'Erase Assistant is not supported on this Mac” [2025]

Say goodbye to the old Mac and welcome a brand new upgrade! My 13-inch 2017 MacBook Air is retired and upgraded to a new phone! As an environmental expert, I started to prepare to reset my old device, only to find that the "Erasheshes" did not support my old Mac. Don't worry, I've found a solution! This article will guide you through the problem of "This Mac does not support erase assistants".

What is erasing assistant?

Erase Assistant is a built-in tool for macOS that completely removes all files, settings, and applications on your hard drive. For older Macs equipped with Apple chips or T2 security chips, it is very practical and can safely erase data without complicated reinstallation of the system.

Start the Eraser Assistant:

• macOS Ventura and later: Apple Menu > System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase all content and settings.
• macOS Monterey: Apple Menu > System Preferences > Erase all content and settings.

Why doesn't my Mac support erase assistant?

You may follow the steps to look for the "Erase All Content and Settings" button but you can't find it or encounter an error after clicking it. Don't worry, I'm the same!

After research, I found that the Erase Assistant is only available for macOS Monterey or later and is only compatible with specific Mac models:

• Apple chip Mac
• Intel Mac with T2 security chip

Whether my 2017 Intel version of MacBook Air supports Erase Assistant is not sure, so I documented the steps to verify compatibility. Next, I'll show you how to check if your device is compatible.

How to check if Mac supports erase assistant?

First, determine if your Mac is based on Intel or Apple chips (skip this step if you already know).

Click the Apple menu in the upper left corner of the screen and select "About this machine". If the window contains a "chip" project, your Mac is an Apple chip and you can use the Erase Assistant.

If there is no "chip" project, your Mac is Intel version and you need to further check if you have a T2 security chip.

Go to Launch Platform > System Information > Controller or iBridge (depending on your macOS version).

If you see the listed T2 security chip, your Mac has it, you can use the Erase Assistant.

How to fix the problem of "This Mac does not support erase assistant"?

If your Mac doesn't meet the requirements of erasing the assistant, don't worry! You can still use Disk Utility in Recovery Mode to erase your Mac. This may be a little more complicated, but it works just as well.

There are only two requirements to erase the assistant:

• Intel version of Mac with Apple chip or T2 security chip
• macOS Monterey or later

If your Mac doesn't meet these requirements, you can still erase it manually. Next I will explain how to do it.

Step 1. Enter recovery mode

How to operate:

Intel Mac	Apple chip Mac
1. Click the Apple menu in the upper left corner of the screen > select Restart. 2. Press and hold Command R And press the power button. 3. Release the button when you see the Apple logo or rotate the globe. 4. If you see the lock screen, enter your Mac's password to continue.	1. Turn off your Mac. 2. Press and hold the power button until “Load Startup Options” appears on the screen. 3. Click "Options" > "Continue". 4. Enter the password for your Mac administrator account.

For more detailed instructions, read our article on Recovery Mode.

Step 2. Open Disk Tool

After entering recovery mode, use Disk Utility to erase the Mac disk:

1. Go to the starter or press Command Space Open the Spotlight search bar.
2. Select Disk Utility > Continue.
3. In Disk Utility, select your boot disk from the list.
4. Click the "Erase" button in the toolbar. In the dialog box, enter the disk name, select APFS as the format, and select "Erase File" if available.
5. Click "Erase".

Step 3. Reinstall macOS

Your Mac is now clean. Now it's time to get a new copy of macOS. This step takes at least 30 minutes (although it may take up to 3 hours depending on your Mac model).

How to reinstall macOS:

1. After erasing the disk, exit the Disk Utility and return to the macOS Utility window.
2. Select "Reinstall macOS".
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Depending on your Mac model, you will reinstall the latest compatible macOS. Currently, macOS Sonoma is the latest version and is compatible with only the following models (you can find the full list on the Apple Support page):

• iMacs in 2019 and beyond
• Mac Pro in 2019 and beyond
• 2017 iMac Pro
• Mac Studio in 2022 and beyond
• MacBook Air in 2018 and beyond
• Mac Mini in 2018 and beyond
• MacBook Pro in 2018 and beyond

If you read this article after fall 2024 and your Mac is compatible, you will need to reinstall macOS Sequoia.

Other ways to erase your Mac

If you have problems using the standard flow in recovery mode described earlier (for example, your hard drive is corrupted), I should also mention several other ways to wipe your Mac.

Wipe Mac using Internet Recovery Mode

The first alternative is to use Internet recovery mode. It starts directly from the Apple server. You can use it when your hard drive is damaged and needs to be replaced. It installs the original operating system that comes with your Mac.

To enter Internet recovery mode, restart your Mac and hold Command Option R .

Erase the Mac using target disk mode

Another way is to use the target disk mode. Connect your Mac to another Mac using a Thunderbolt or FireWire cable. You can then use the Disk Utility on your second Mac to erase the disk.

If you have an Intel version device and want to enter target disk mode, connect two Macs with a cable > Restart the target Mac and hold it immediately T key.

Summary and extra tips to bring your Mac a new look

After seeing the message "Mac Erased Assistant Not Supported", I went through the process of erasing my Mac, which gave me some key insights and I'm happy to share them with you.

First, don't panic if your Mac doesn't support erase assistant. You can still solve all the problems. Simply start recovery mode, use Disk Utility to erase your Mac, and follow the steps in this guide.

Second, I should mention that it is much easier to prepare to erase your Mac with the help of some excellent third-party tools like Get Backup Pro (for backups) and DiskDrill (for restoring any lost files).

Finally, there is no need to buy all of these apps separately. They are available under a single subscription to Setapp, an application platform (and more than 250 applications for Mac, iOS, and the web). You can prepare your Mac for its new life with Setapp over a 7-day trial.

FAQ:

Why "Erase All Content and Settings" is not showing up on my Mac?

Erase Assistant is not suitable for every Mac. You need an Intel Mac with a special T2 security chip or Apple's newer chip to use it. Additionally, it is only available on macOS Monterey and later (this is another reason to always update the software!)

How to erase a Mac without erasing the assistant?

If you see the message "This Mac does not support erase assistant", don't worry. Use Disk Utility in Recovery Mode.

1. Restart your Mac and hold it Command R , until you see the Apple logo.
2. In the Recovery window, select Disk Utility.
3. Select your main drive, click "Erase", select the format (APFS is usually the best choice), and then click "Erase Files".

Important: Be sure to back up important data before erasing your Mac.

Why doesn't my Mac allow me to erase everything?

To erase everything on your Mac, you need to erase the Assistant, which is a built-in tool. It has two requirements: an Apple chip Mac or an Intel version of Mac with T2 security chip, and a macOS Monterey or higher.

If your Mac does not meet these requirements, erasing the assistant will not be available. However, you can still manually erase your Mac using Disk Utility in Recovery Mode, or completely delete old large files with CleanMyMac.

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