Home > Questions

Can a MacBook Be Tracked by Former User After Factory Reset?

Hi, a question that I am probably asking a bit too late, but still, I'd rather have it cleared out. Mid-2021, I purchased a used 12-inch MacBook (my first Apple device and I do enjoy using it) that came to me wiped out (factory reset I believe, I do not know the exact term for it). When I turned it on, I had to create my own iCloud account, and only then could I start using it. My question is - is there any risk of the former owner still having visibility to any of my activity on the MacBook given that it was logged out before he sold it to me? Is there any way of checking what tracking activity may be happening, if any? Thanks in advance!

Best Answered by

iBoysoft author Jenny Zeng

Jenny Zeng

Answered on Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Yes, the former user can still track your Mac's location if you didn't sign into your iCloud account.

If the former user didn't strictly follow Apple's advice to sign out of iCloud and remove the device from Find My Mac, he or she could still locate your Mac from Find My Mac until you log into the Mac with your account. That's because the device is still associated with the former user's iCloud account even if it's not logged in.

So, the previous user can potentially erase your Mac remotely or lock you out. This is actually a feature for users to track and lock down a stolen device. Anyway, it's recommended to log into a second-hand Mac once you acquire it.

Also read:

How to Factory Reset M1 Mac (MacBook Air/Pro, Mac mini, iMac)

 

People Also Ask

How to factory reset MacBook Pro without wiping iCloud data?

This answer tells you how to factory reset an Intel-based MacBook Pro without wiping any iCloud data, so you can access the iCloud data from another Mac.

iBoysoft author Rivers WongRivers Wong

iMac Randomly Locking Up and Rebooting

Read this post to learn why does your iMac randomly lock up and reboot and how to resolve the problem.

iBoysoft author Connie YangConnie Yang

Folders Missing from the External Hard Drive on the Mac

Follow this post to learn why folders are missing from the external hard drive on your Mac and how to let them show up again.

iBoysoft author Connie YangConnie Yang

Nowhere to find 2010 MacBook Pro's internal drive, help!

Read this thread to fix the issue nowhere to find the 2010 MacBook Pro's internal drive.

iBoysoft author Amanda WongAmanda Wong

How to Factory Reset Old MacBook 2007 without Apple ID?

Hello everyone, I was wondering if I could factory reset an old MacBook 2007 A1181 without an Apple ID. Because I was given it by a coworker who also does not have a password. Thanks in advance.

iBoysoft author Vain RoweVain Rowe

How to fix Seagate external hard drive not working on Mac?

It shows you what to do when your external hard drive is not working on Mac, and how to recover data from the corrupted drive.

iBoysoft author Jessica SheeJessica Shee

Read More Questions

Read More Advice From iBoysoft's Computer Experts

Text Recovery converter

Open File with MS Word Text Recovery Converter Mac & Windows

Learn what Text Recovery converter is, how to open a Word file with Text Recovery converter on Mac & Windows, and 4 other ways to repair a corrupted Word document.

How to Tips

notes are not syncing between your iPhone and Mac

Notes Not Syncing Between iPhone and Mac, Why & How to Fix

A guide to fixing the notes app that's not syncing between iPhone and Mac. Also, it tells the reasons why your notes are not syncing between devices.

News Tips

Neue iCloud-Geschäftsbedingungen tauchen immer wieder auf dem Mac auf

Neue iCloud-Geschäftsbedingungen halten immer wieder auf (Mac/iPhone)

Neue iCloud-Geschäftsbedingungen halten immer wieder auf? Erfahren Sie, wie Sie das Popup auf Mac, iPhone, iPad oder Apple TV loswerden.