{"id":"mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-encrypt-an-external-drive-on-a-mac","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-encrypt-an-external-drive-on-a-mac","category":{"id":"mac-storage-basics","title":"Mac storage basics"},"subcategory":{"id":"erase-security","title":"Erasing, encryption and selling a Mac"},"question":"How do I encrypt an external drive on a Mac?","alt_questions":["encrypt usb drive mac","password protect external drive mac","apfs encrypted format","encrypt ssd finder","secure external drive mac"],"short_answer":"Right-click the drive in Finder and choose Encrypt, or erase it as APFS (Encrypted) in Disk Utility. You'll need the password whenever it's connected, so don't lose it.","answer_markdown":"Two ways:\n\n- **Without erasing** (APFS or Mac OS Extended drives): right-click the drive in Finder and choose **Encrypt**, then set a password and hint. Encryption runs in the background.\n- **When formatting**: in Disk Utility's Erase, choose **APFS (Encrypted)**.\n\nAn encrypted drive asks for its password when connected (your Mac can remember it in the keychain). exFAT drives can't be encrypted this way. Don't lose the password — there's no way back in without it.","answer_html":"

Two ways:

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An encrypted drive asks for its password when connected (your Mac can remember it in the keychain). exFAT drives can't be encrypted this way. Don't lose the password — there's no way back in without it.

","answer_text":"Two ways:\n\n- Without erasing (APFS or Mac OS Extended drives): right-click the drive in Finder and choose Encrypt, then set a password and hint. Encryption runs in the background.\n- When formatting: in Disk Utility's Erase, choose APFS (Encrypted).\n\nAn encrypted drive asks for its password when connected (your Mac can remember it in the keychain). exFAT drives can't be encrypted this way. Don't lose the password — there's no way back in without it.","tags":["encryption","external drive","apfs"],"related":[{"id":"mac-storage-basics.what-is-filevault","question":"What is FileVault, and does it slow down my Mac or use space?","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/what-is-filevault"},{"id":"mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-erase-or-format-a-drive-on-a-mac","question":"How do I erase or format a drive on a Mac?","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-erase-or-format-a-drive-on-a-mac"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"How do I encrypt an external drive on a Mac? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"Right-click the drive in Finder and choose Encrypt, or erase it as APFS (Encrypted) in Disk Utility. You'll need the password whenever it's connected, so don't lose it.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Mac storage basics","path":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/"},{"name":"How do I encrypt an external drive on a Mac?","path":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-encrypt-an-external-drive-on-a-mac"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-encrypt-an-external-drive-on-a-mac","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"How do I encrypt an external drive on a Mac?","alternateName":["encrypt usb drive mac","password protect external drive mac","apfs encrypted format","encrypt ssd finder","secure external drive mac"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Two ways:\n\n- Without erasing (APFS or Mac OS Extended drives): right-click the drive in Finder and choose Encrypt, then set a password and hint. Encryption runs in the background.\n- When formatting: in Disk Utility's Erase, choose APFS (Encrypted).\n\nAn encrypted drive asks for its password when connected (your Mac can remember it in the keychain). exFAT drives can't be encrypted this way. Don't lose the password — there's no way back in without it.","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-encrypt-an-external-drive-on-a-mac"}}]},"fragment":"
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Mac storage basics · Erasing, encryption and selling a Mac

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How do I encrypt an external drive on a Mac?

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Short answer: Right-click the drive in Finder and choose Encrypt, or erase it as APFS (Encrypted) in Disk Utility. You'll need the password whenever it's connected, so don't lose it.

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Two ways:

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  • Without erasing (APFS or Mac OS Extended drives): right-click the drive in Finder and choose Encrypt, then set a password and hint. Encryption runs in the background.
  • When formatting: in Disk Utility's Erase, choose APFS (Encrypted).
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An encrypted drive asks for its password when connected (your Mac can remember it in the keychain). exFAT drives can't be encrypted this way. Don't lose the password — there's no way back in without it.

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