Prepare MacBook for sale when OS X Lion reinstall requires Apple ID

Question

I'm going to sell my Macbook Pro.

When I reinstall OS X Lion, I have to enter my own Apple ID. Another Apple ID won't work, I get message "This item is temporarily unavailable".

How can I deassociate my Apple ID with this computer so that the next owner will be able to reinstall the OS with their own apple ID?

Monomeeth · Accepted Answer · 2017-10-21 23:42:14Z

2

Monomeeth♦

65k14 gold badges152 silver badges190 bronze badges

answered Oct 21, 2017 at 21:03

2,5761 gold badge16 silver badges39 bronze badges

Thanks. Strangely, I don't see the Macbook listed under devices.
– Oliver
Commented Oct 22, 2017 at 14:47
That's mysterious. If the previous OS is still available on the Macbook, try iTunes > Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize This Computer.
– DavidRecallsMonica
Commented Oct 22, 2017 at 15:42
I have deauthorized it. Guess that's why it doesn't show up under devices? But the system still prompts me for apple id and password when I reinstall os.
– Oliver
Commented Oct 23, 2017 at 8:54
If the prompt appears only as the installer begins the new installation, you might consider reformatting the HD. If you're working from an installer on separate media (not from the recovery partition of the HD), the installer screen that first appears should allow you to select Disk Utility to reformat the drive; this selection may appear on the screen or within one of the Menu Bar menus. Beyond that, or replacing the HD, I'm out of ideas.
– DavidRecallsMonica
Commented Oct 23, 2017 at 15:24

Add a comment |

1 Answer 1