The growing problem of e-waste is one that can't be ignored. In 2016, an estimated 49 million tons of e-waste were produced worldwide, and we're expected to hit 75 1000000 metric tonnes past 2030. With these huge numbers, it seems obvious that nosotros shouldn't simply throw away our devices the moment a newer model comes out.

But what if your Mac truly is old and not running as well as information technology should? Are yous supposed to keep using information technology until it tin can't even boot upwardly anymore? And if y'all practise desire that new model, how can you go about discarding your old Mac responsibly?

Here, we'll lay out a number of options for getting rid of your old Mac without only sending it directly to the landfill. Plus, we'll fifty-fifty give y'all some tips for ways to repurpose your Mac if it's onetime but notwithstanding usable.

When is your Mac "also onetime"?

For some people, a Mac is old enough to be replaced when it'south running slowly all the time. For others, having a Mac that's noticeably outdated is enough to warrant an update.

But if you're looking for some general guidelines, your Mac is probably on its concluding legs if:

  • It'south no longer able to run the latest version of macOS
  • Y'all're constantly running out of storage
  • You're experiencing frequent software issues (although some of these, such as a Mac that keeps restarting, tin can be solved)

If you have i or more of these issues, chances are, you'll want to recycle your Mac. While some pocket-sized problems, such as software issues, tin can be remedied, others are less hands fixed. If your Mac has severe hardware impairment, for instance, y'all'll likely want to recycle it (rather than sell or reuse it).

Recycle your old Mac with the Apple Trade In plan

The easiest way to recycle old Apple devices is through the Apple Trade In program. This program gives y'all the option to recycle your Mac for complimentary or to merchandise information technology in for credit toward a new purchase. While y'all get a piffling extra cash to spend on a newer device, you also know you lot've helped the planet by recycling your erstwhile Mac.

Make clean your Mac and get it upwards to speed

Sometimes, your Mac is simply old and slow. In many cases, users would rather simply get a new estimator than get through the hassle of clearing out unneeded files and applications. But rather than shelling out big bucks for a new Mac, why not do a deep make clean?

And, if you'd rather have a program practice the work for you lot, you've got enough of options. If you're looking for an all-in-one solution to clean, protect, and maintain your Mac (no matter how old), I'd recommend CleanMyMac X as the best place to outset. It'south got plenty of modules to help you uninstall and remove unnecessary files and applications, helping your Mac run healthier and faster. (Plus, it's free to download, which means more cash saved up for a new Mac.)

CleanMyMac X - Smart Scan complete

You can download the free version of CleanMyMac X here.

How to reuse your old Mac at home

Sometimes, y'all've got to get creative when information technology comes to a worn-out Mac. In that location are a variety of means you tin can repurpose and reuse your former Mac.

Turn your Mac into a network-attached storage arrangement

If your old Mac has a large hard bulldoze with lots of storage space left, turning it into a network-attached storage (NAS) device is a great way to make use of it. You can think of this as using your quondam computer as cloud storage.

Past connecting your Mac to your abode Wi-Fi network, y'all can access any files y'all've stored on it from all of your other devices. (Go on in mind, this is a amend option if y'all take a MacBook rather than an iMac.)

Create an emergency Wi-Fi hotspot

You may not know that y'all tin use an onetime Mac as an boosted signal extender or router! This is a great option if you have areas in your home with a weak or nonexistent Wi-Fi betoken. Simply connect your quondam computer to an Ethernet cable and continue it wherever you'd like the new signal to attain.

You'll likewise need to conform your internet sharing settings. Here's how:

  1. Get to Apple menu > System Preferences.
  2. Select the Sharing tab, then go to Internet Sharing in the left-hand bill of fare.
  3. Choose Ethernet from the Share your connectedness from: drop-downwards carte du jour.
  4. Select Wi-Fi from the To computers using: list, if that'south how yous would like to share your connectedness.
  5. If y'all select Wi-Fi, click Wi-Fi Options, and proper name your new network. From the Security pop-up card, choose WPA2 Personal.
  6. Give your new network a countersign and click OK.
  7. Check the box marked Internet Sharing in System Preferences > Sharing.

Install Linux on your Mac

Linux is a highly customizable open-source operating organization that will run on fifty-fifty very old computers, including Macs. If your Mac is too one-time to run fifty-fifty past versions of macOS or is constantly plagued by the dreaded "rainbow bicycle of expiry," downloading Linux volition allow information technology to run again.

Even if you've never used Linux before, it offers a number of unlike options that fifty-fifty lifelong macOS users will capeesh. If you're looking for a familiar interface, Ubuntu offers a UI that'due south similar to macOS. Additionally, Linux boots up more speedily than macOS, making it a smashing choice for Macs that have go virtually (or completely) too wearisome to use.

One option for installing Linux is turning your old MacBook into a Chromebook using Chromium, Google'due south Linux-based OS. It has very express system requirements, making it a perfect option for erstwhile, deadening Macs.

How to set up your Mac for sale (if you decide to sell it)

If your Mac's hardware is in even decent condition (but you don't desire to bother with repurposing or cleaning it), yous have the option to sell it for some extra cash. There are many ways to go well-nigh selling your Mac, such as sending it to a refurbishing site. Some of these sites even allow you to sell damaged or broken Macs, as well!

If your Mac isn't completely damaged, you'll desire to take a few steps to prepare it for sale earlier shipping it off.

Back up your Mac

    First and foremost, you'll need to back up your Mac. It'southward important to keep in heed that this procedure volition differ depending on whether you have your new Mac already or not.

    If you have a new Mac waiting, the setup process on your new estimator will walk y'all through the process of getting all your files from your old Mac onto your new i. (You can likewise employ Apple tree's Migration Banana in Finder > Applications > Migration Banana.) If that'south the case, only follow the instructions and skip to step #2.

    If you're getting your Mac ready to sell without having bought a new one yet, you'll want to apply Fourth dimension Machine (Apple's built-in backup service) to salvage all your important files either to iCloud or to an external hard drive.

    Deauthorize and sign out of your accounts

      In order to protect your privacy, you'll want to sign out of whatsoever linked Apple accounts before sending your Mac off. Two of the nearly important of these are iMessage and iCloud.

      To sign out of iMessage:

      • Launch iMessage and get to Preferences > iMessage.
      • Select your logged-in account(south) and click Sign Out.

      You'll also want to sign out of iCloud. To do this:

      • Go to System Preferences and select the iCloud tab.
      • Click Sign Out on the bottom left of the window. Annotation: If you use Find My Mac, yous'll demand to turn this off get-go. Simply uncheck the box adjacent to Observe My Mac on the listing in the iCloud tab.

      While signing out of iCloud disconnects your Mac from Apple tree's cloud servers, you'll need to do the same thing with iTunes on older macOS versions. Here's how:

      • Launch iTunes and go to Account > Authorizations.
      • Select Deauthorize This Computer and follow the instructions that appear.

      Tip

      While we cover the Apple tree accounts you should disconnect from, you should likewise make certain you're signed out of other of import accounts, including Google, social media, backup services, financial institutions, password managers, etc.

      Erase your Mac's drive

        Later on you've backed up your Mac's drive and signed out of your Apple accounts, you're all gear up to erase your Mac's drive. One way to practice this easily and effectively is with the Disk Utility Program. To access this:

        1. Launch Finder and go to Applications > Disk Utility.
        2. Single-click to select the drive yous'd like to erase from the left-paw menu. Hint: Brand sure to disconnect any external drives get-go.
        3. Select the icon with the Minus symbol higher up Book.
        4. The following pop-up will announced. If you are certain you'd like to erase your drive, click Delete.

        Install macOS

          You'll desire to install macOS on your newly-erased difficult drive if you're looking to sell your Mac or give it to a friend or family member. Luckily, this is piece of cake with macOS Recovery. Just plow on your Mac and press and concord 1 of the following key combinations (depending on the kind of recovery y'all'd similar to perform) immediately when your Mac boots up. Permit become of the keys when the Apple logo, spinning cycle, or other type of startup screen.

          1. Command-R: This volition reinstall the latest version of macOS that was running on your Mac.
          2. Option-Control-R: This upgrades your Mac to run the latest compatible version of macOS.
          3. Shift-Option-Command-R: This reinstalls the version of macOS that came with your Mac (or the closest available version).

          Upcycle your Mac

          In that location are lots of means to creatively upcycle your Mac and give information technology a new life. Fancy this clock to decorate your kitchen?

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