---
id: mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-encrypt-an-external-drive-on-a-mac
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-encrypt-an-external-drive-on-a-mac
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "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."
tags: ["encryption", "external drive", "apfs"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/what-is-filevault", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-erase-or-format-a-drive-on-a-mac"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# How do I encrypt an external drive on a Mac?

Two ways:

- **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)**.

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.