How to Encrypt an External Drive on Apple Silicon Mac

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The security of your data should always be your top priority. Whether you are a professional or casual user, encryption is a crucial step to protect your files from unwanted access or theft. If your files are stored on an external drive, it is highly recommended to encrypt them as well. By doing so, you can ensure that even if your drive falls into the wrong hands, your data will remain safe. In this article, we will walk you through the process of encrypting an external drive on Apple Silicon Mac.

Video Tutorial:

What’s Needed

Before we begin, you will need the following:

  • An external hard drive or USB flash drive
  • An Apple Silicon Mac running macOS Big Sur
  • Access to an administrator account on your Mac

What requires your focus?

While the process of encrypting an external drive is straightforward, it does require some attention to detail. Specifically, you will need to make sure that your drive is properly formatted and that you remember your password or recovery key. Poor formatting or forgetting your password can make it impossible to access your data, so take your time and follow the steps carefully.

Method 1: Encrypting an external drive with Disk Utility

Disk Utility is a built-in tool that makes it easy to format and manage your disks. Here’s how to use it to encrypt your external drive:

  1. Connect your external drive to your Mac.
  2. Open Disk Utility. You can find it by going to Spotlight Search or navigating to Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility.
  3. Click on your external drive in the sidebar.
  4. Click the "Erase" button.
  5. Choose a name for your drive and select "Mac OS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted)" as the format.
  6. Enter your password and recovery key. Make sure to choose a strong password and store your recovery key in a safe location.
  7. Click "Erase" and wait for the process to finish. This may take several minutes depending on the size of your drive.
  8. You will see a confirmation message when the process is complete. Your drive is now encrypted and can be safely disconnected from your Mac.

Pros:

  • Using Disk Utility is a straightforward and easy-to-understand process.
  • You can choose a custom name for your drive and make sure that it is properly formatted before encryption.
  • Disk Utility also gives you the option to set a recovery key, which can be used to unlock your drive if you forget your password.

Cons:

  • If your drive is already formatted, using Disk Utility to encrypt it will erase all existing data.
  • The process can be time-consuming, especially for large drives.

Method 2: Encrypting an external drive with FileVault

FileVault is a feature built into macOS that allows you to encrypt your entire startup disk. However, it can also be used to encrypt external drives. Here’s how to use it:

  1. Open System Preferences and click on "Security & Privacy."
  2. Click on the "FileVault" tab.
  3. Click on the lock icon in the corner to make changes.
  4. Enter your password when prompted.
  5. Click on "Turn On FileVault."
  6. Choose the external drive you want to encrypt.
  7. Enter your password and recovery key. Make sure to choose a strong password and store your recovery key in a safe location.
  8. Click "Encrypt Disk."
  9. Wait for the process to finish. This may take several minutes depending on the size of your drive.
  10. When the encryption is complete, you will see a notification. Your drive is now encrypted and can be safely disconnected from your Mac.

Pros:

  • Using FileVault to encrypt your drive allows you to protect your entire system as well.
  • FileVault also gives you access to a recovery key in case you forget your password.
  • Once set up, FileVault will automatically encrypt your external drives when they are connected to your Mac.

Cons:

  • The process of encrypting your drive with FileVault can be more complicated than using Disk Utility.
  • If you forget your password and recovery key, you may permanently lose access to your data.
  • Encrypting your entire system with FileVault can slow down your Mac, especially if you are using an older model.

Method 3: Using a third-party encryption tool

There are many third-party encryption tools available that can help you protect your external drives. Here are a few options:

  • VeraCrypt: An open-source tool that allows you to create encrypted disk volumes on your external drive.
  • Encrypto: A simple encryption tool that allows you to encrypt individual files before transferring them to your external drive.
  • AxCrypt: A tool that integrates with macOS and allows you to encrypt and decrypt files directly from the Finder.

To use one of these tools, simply download and install it on your Mac. Then, follow the instructions provided by the tool to set up your encryption.

Pros:

  • Third-party encryption tools often provide more customization options than the built-in macOS tools.
  • Some tools, such as Encrypto, allow you to encrypt individual files rather than your entire drive.
  • Using a third-party tool may make it more difficult for hackers to break into your encryption.

Cons:

  • Third-party tools may not be as well-supported or frequently updated as built-in macOS tools.
  • Using a third-party tool may require more technical expertise to properly set up and use.
  • If you forget your password or recovery key, you may not have access to technical support or other resources to help you recover your data.

Why Can’t I Encrypt My External Drive?

While encrypting your external drive should be a straightforward process, there are a few common reasons why you may run into problems. Here are some reasons why you may not be able to encrypt your external drive, and how to fix them:

  1. Your external drive is not properly formatted: Before you can encrypt your external drive, it must be formatted with a compatible file system. Make sure that your drive is formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) or APFS.
  2. You don’t have administrative privileges: To encrypt your drive, you will need to log in to an administrator account on your Mac. If you don’t have administrative privileges, ask your system administrator for help.
  3. Your drive is already encrypted: If you have previously encrypted your external drive, you may need to unlock it before you can re-encrypt it. Use Disk Utility or another tool to erase the existing encryption.

Implications and Recommendations

Encrypting your external drive is an essential step to protect your data from prying eyes. Whether you use Disk Utility, FileVault, or a third-party tool, make sure to set a strong password and keep your recovery key in a safe location. Additionally, consider using multiple layers of security, such as setting up two-factor authentication or using a password manager with a master password. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your files remain secure and protected.

FAQs

Q: Can I encrypt my external drive on a Windows or Linux computer?

A: Yes, you can use third-party encryption tools like VeraCrypt or BitLocker to encrypt your external drive on a Windows computer. On Linux, you can use tools like cryptsetup or dm-crypt. However, keep in mind that the process may be different on these platforms and require additional technical expertise.

Q: Can I access my encrypted drive on another Mac?

A: Yes, you can access your encrypted drive on another Mac as long as it is running macOS and you have the password or recovery key. Simply connect the encrypted drive to the other Mac and enter your password when prompted.

Q: Can I encrypt my Time Machine backup drive?

A: Yes, you can encrypt your Time Machine backup drive using Disk Utility or FileVault. However, keep in mind that you will need to enter your password every time you want to access your Time Machine backup.

Q: Can I encrypt my internal drive on my Mac?

A: Yes, you can use FileVault to encrypt your entire startup disk on your Mac. However, keep in mind that encrypting your startup disk can slow down your Mac, especially if you are using an older model.

Q: What should I do if I forget my encryption password or recovery key?

A: If you forget your encryption password or recovery key, it may be impossible to recover your data. Make sure to store your recovery key in a safe location, such as a password manager or physical safe. Additionally, make sure to set up two-factor authentication or other security measures to protect your data in case of a lost or forgotten password.

In Conclusion

Encrypting your external drive is a crucial step to protect your data from unauthorized access or theft. Whether you use Disk Utility, FileVault, or a third-party tool, make sure to follow the instructions carefully and store your recovery key in a safe location. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your files remain safe and secure.