Skip to main content

How to encrypt and protect your data with FileVault on a Mac

A digital lock sign set on a background of a chipset.
Shutterstock

FileVault is an additional security feature included with MacOS that encrypts all the files contained within your system. By using the disk encryption component, all the information sitting on your Mac will essentially be locked to anyone who isn’t the admin. As such, if you’re ever at risk of losing your Mac when, say, commuting to work, or if it simply gets stolen, you can rest assured that at least your data is safe.

For anyone who possesses sensitive information on their system, FileVault is one of the most effective methods for ensuring it can never be accessed by an unauthorized source. We take a look at how to encrypt and protect your data with FileVault on a Mac.

Recommended Videos

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

5 minutes

What You Need

  • A Mac system

Enabling FileVault and starting the encryption process

In order to set up FileVault, the user must be logged in as an administrator.

Step 1: Click System Preferences, choose Security & Privacy, and then select FileVault (you may need to click the Lock button on the bottom-left of the window and enter your login details).

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 2: Click the Turn On FileVault button. Your admin password may be required.

Step 3: Next, you’ll have to select your desired method to unlock your disk and reset your password in the event you forget it. From here, there are two options to choose from:

iCloud account: If you use iCloud, you can employ it to unlock your Mac’s disk by selecting the Allow My iCloud Account to Unlock My Disk button. Those who wish to use this specific method but don’t use iCloud can choose the Set Up My iCloud Account to Reset My Password button.

Recovery key: Alternatively, you can make use of the recovery key feature. Select the Create a Recovery Key and Do Not Use My iCloud Account button. Please note that it’s imperative you keep your recovery key somewhere safe so it’s ready to be applied if required.

Step 4: Finally, click Continue.

The encryption process will now begin. Depending on the number of files that need to be encrypted, it could take several hours before the entire procedure is completed. Apple has therefore made it a requirement for your Mac to be connected to its charger. That said, FileVault will encrypt your information in the background so you can continue using your Mac as normal.

Once the process has commenced, progress can be checked through the FileVault window located via Security & Privacy.

After FileVault has completed the entire setup, you will be required to restart your Mac. When you log in after this, an admin account password will have to be inputted to unlock the system’s disk. Furthermore, automatic logins will no longer be permitted. Instead, with FileVault enabled, you’ll have to manually log in every time. This will even be the case after waking your Mac from a sleep state, as well as attempting to use the system when leaving the screen saver.

All files that are created from this point onwards will be automatically encrypted as soon as they’re saved to the Mac’s startup disk.

Concerned about privacy? Make sure you're using the best password manager for your Mac.

Zak Islam
Former Computing Writer
Zak Islam was a freelance writer at Digital Trends covering the latest news in the technology world, particularly the…
I’m intrigued by Apple’s weird keyboard idea that could change how you use your MacBook
Apple MacBook Air 13 M4 top down view showing keyboard and touchpad.

Ever since I tried my first mechanical keyboard many moons ago, I’ve been totally sold on clicky switches and chunky keycaps. I use a mechanical keyboard for both my Mac and my PC, and typing on Apple’s Magic Keyboard, as good as it is, just feels weird to me these days.

That means that when I saw that Apple has been granted a patent for a weird new keyboard concept, my ears immediately pricked up.

Read more
Here’s your chance to buy the Apple MacBook Air M3 for less than $1,000
The MacBook Air on a table in front of a window.

For Apple fans who have been on the lookout for MacBook deals: We've found an interesting one from B&H Photo Video. The 13-inch model of the Apple MacBook Air M3 with 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD is on sale for only $899, for savings of $400 on the laptop's original price of $1,299. That's a huge discount that you probably won't find anywhere else, but you'll need to act fast if you're interested in taking advantage of this bargain because it may disappear as soon as tomorrow.

Why you should buy the Apple MacBook Air M3

Read more
I can recommend the M4 MacBook Air for its battery life alone
Rear view of lid on M4 MacBook Air.

Over the course of the past few months, I’ve tried a handful of Windows on Arm machines. The biggest takeaway is that if you buy a slim and light Windows laptop in 2025, you don’t need to hunt for a seat near a wall outlet. The battery life figures I’ve got from Qualcomm Snapdragon X-powered laptops have been pretty amazing. 

For the first time, I feel Windows laptops have reached a point where they can reach the high benchmark set by the MacBook Air. My most recent tryst was with the Asus Zenbook A14, and the Dell XPS 13 before that. I loved the thin and lightweight form factors, and the progress Windows on Arm has made with the app compatibility situation. 

Read more