Mac FileVault Encryption: How to enable FileVault disk encryption

Enabling FileVault disk encryption works quite similarly to enabling BitLocker. If you desire to encrypt your data stored on devices (macOS), you can utilize FileVault 2 and it is a free encryption software tool. Just like BitLocker, FileVault 2 (FileVault full-disk encryption) uses XTS-AES-128 encryption with a 256-bit key “to help prevent unauthorized access to the information on your startup disk”. Here are the steps to turn on FileVault2 on your macOS. You may be interested in some of the articles I have written regarding “Insight on Full Disk Encryption with PBA / without PBA, UEFI, Secure Boot, BIOS, File and Directory Encryption and Container Encryption“,  the concept of DriveLock with a focus on encryption.

Since I have tested an FDE solution with PBA, kindly take a look at these guides “Important DriveLock components to master and how to download DriveLock software and install DriveLock“.

How to enable FileVault disk encryption

In System Preferences, click Security & Privacy, go to the FileVault tab, and click the Lock button. After entering your admin name and password, you can turn on FileVault.
– Open System Preferences.
– Click Security and Privacy.
– In the Security & Privacy pane,
– Click the FileVault tab.
– Click the lock in the bottom-left corner of the Security & Privacy pane.
– Enter your administrator name and password for the computer and then click Unlock.

Moreover, Depending on the option to store your chosen recovery key, this can be saved in your iCloud or on your device. I chose to save it to iCloud. After this is done, the hard disk’s encryption will run, which can take up to 24 hours, as shown below.

Note: To turn off Data encryption, kindly follow the same process in reverse order as shown below. All you need to do is turn off FileVault.  See this guide as well on how to install Standalone Installation DriveLock Encryption software.

Open System Preferences and click Security and Privacy.
– In the Security & Privacy pane, click the FileVault tab.
– Click the lock in the bottom-left corner to allow you to make changes.
– Enter your administrator name and password for the computer and then
– Click Unlock.
– Click Turn Off FileVault.

Furthermore, I hope you found this blog post helpful. However, Please let me know in the comment session if you have any questions.