Opening a BitLocker encrypted drive on macOS Catalina and previous versions are not difficult at all. The only requirement is to grant Full Disk Access permission to UUByte BitLocker app. However, the situation has changed dramatically since macOS Big Sur and Apple's Mac with M1 chip. More security enhancements are improved, such as disabling System Extension by default. Hence, many BitLocker Reader apps failed to work on Big Sur or M1 Mac.

 

Don't worry! The latest version of UUByte BitLocker Geeker adds support for Big Sur and Macs with Apple Chip. But, there are more additional steps that need to be done before decrypting a BitLocker drive with BitLocker Geeker. Below is the step-by-step guide. Make sure you follow the steps accurately.

 

Step 1: Download and Install BitLocker Geeker App on M1 Mac

Download .pkg installer of UUByte BitLocker from above link and double click the file to start the installation. At the end of this process, you will see a notification, saying System Extension Blocked, which is required by BitLocker Geeker app.

 

Notice: If you have BitLocker Geeker app installed, please delete it from your Mac and restart the computer. After that, download the latest installer from above link.

 

 

Step 2: Enable System Extensions

Please click Open Security Preferences and click Enable system extensions… in Security & Privacy Window.

 

 

Step 3: Shutdown Mac and Restart M1 Mac in Recovery Environment

A small window pops up and ask you to enable system extensions in Recovery environment. Please choose shutdown option and wait the Mac to be powered off. Wait two minutes and keep pressing Power key to open Startup Security Utility in macOS Recovery mode.

 

 

Step 4: Shutdown Mac and Restart M1 Mac in Recovery Environment

In Startup Security Utility, please click Security Policy… for advanced settings.

 

 

In new window, choose Reduced Security. From there, please enable the first option Allow user management of kernel extensions from identified developers. Click OK to save the change.

 

 

Step 5: Allow System Software in Privacy Settings

Your Mac will reboot and you will see a new text under Security & Privacy window in System Preferences. Please click Allow button to install this system extension on the Mac.

 

 

Step 6: Restart Mac

A restart is required to make the chang into effect. Please do as it requests.

 

 

Step 7: Install Rosetta App

Now open BitLocker Geeker app on your Mac and install Rosetta app as prompted. For references, Rosetta app is a system app developed by Apple that helps in running Intel-based apps on a Mac powered by Apple Chip.

 

 

Step 8: Open BitLocker Geeker App

Once the app is loaded, you will be asked to add BitLocker Geeker app in Full Disk Access. Click Yes to open the settings.

 

 

Step 9: All Full Disk Access

Now, click the clock icon at the bottom and input the login password to allow Bitlockger Geeker app for full disk access.

 

 

Step 10: Reboot Mac (Important)

To make all settings into affect, please reboot your Mac manually one more time. This is very important step. Please pay attention to it!

 

Step 11: Connect BitLocker Drive to Mac

Insert BitLocker encrypted drive into Mac and ignore the error message.

 

 

Step 12: List BitLocker Drives

Reopen BitLocker Geeker app and you will Bitlocker drive with a clock icon. Please double click the drive to proceed.

 

 

Step 13: Unlock BitLocker Drive with Password

In new window, just input BitLocker password and click Mount button to unlock this encrypted drive.

 

 

Step 14: Access Content from BitLocker Drive

Wait a few seconds and you are able to access content from this BitLocker drive. Also, there is no lock sign on that drive when it is unlocked successfully.

 

 

Summary:

If you still have problem, please contact our support team. Make sure provide more details about the device and the error (screenshot or video preferred) so we can identify the issue more quickly.