How to Turn On FileVault Encryption on Mac

Tap each step to follow along in order.

  1. Open Privacy & Security settings

    Go to "Privacy & Security" in System Settings.

  2. Find the FileVault menu

    Find "FileVault" in the list and click it.

  3. Turn on FileVault

    Click "Turn On" to start encrypting the disk.

  4. Save your recovery key

    Write down the recovery key somewhere safe in case you ever forget your password.

  5. Why is this useful?

    Even if your Mac is lost or stolen, the entire disk is encrypted, so no one can open your personal files inside without the password.

Prepare for a lost or stolen Mac

Even if your Mac is lost or stolen, the entire disk stays encrypted, so no one can open the personal photos or documents stored on it without the password.

Encryption doesn't slow your Mac down

Modern Macs include dedicated encryption hardware, so you won't notice any meaningful slowdown in everyday use once FileVault is on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning on FileVault slow down my Mac?

Modern Macs have dedicated encryption hardware built in, so there's little to no noticeable slowdown in everyday use.

How long does encryption take?

It depends on your disk size and how much data you have, but it runs in the background, so you can keep using your Mac while it's encrypting.