---
id: backups.are-backups-to-a-drive-encrypted
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/backups/are-backups-to-a-drive-encrypted
category: "Backups & restore points"
subcategory: "Encryption and passphrases"
question: "Are backups to an external drive encrypted?"
alt_questions:
  - "Do drive backups need a passphrase?"
  - "local backup encryption Storage Studio"
  - "Is my backup on the USB drive readable by others?"
  - "external drive backup password"
  - "Why didn't it ask for a passphrase for my drive?"
short_answer: "Yes. Drive and folder backups are encrypted automatically, with no passphrase to remember. The passphrase step appears only for cloud destinations. You restore drive backups through Versions… in Data Backup."
tags: ["encryption", "external drive", "passphrase"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/backups/are-my-cloud-backups-encrypted", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/backups/can-i-open-backup-files-in-finder"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Are backups to an external drive encrypted?

Yes — backups to a drive or folder are **encrypted automatically**, with nothing for you to set up or remember. That's why Storage Studio doesn't ask for a passphrase when you choose **Choose a folder…** as the destination.

The passphrase step only appears for **cloud** destinations, where you hold the key yourself. The files in a drive backup aren't ordinary copies you can browse in Finder; you get them back through **Versions…** in Data Backup.