---
id: privacy-safety.should-i-encrypt-my-external-drive
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/privacy-safety/should-i-encrypt-my-external-drive
category: "Privacy & safety"
subcategory: "App trust, updates and security"
question: "Should I encrypt my external drive to protect the files I move there?"
alt_questions:
  - "Is my external drive encrypted by Storage Studio?"
  - "Are relocated folders encrypted on the fast drive?"
  - "encrypt external ssd mac storage studio"
  - "What if someone steals my external drive?"
  - "Can I use an encrypted APFS drive?"
short_answer: "Yes, if it holds anything personal. Relocated folders are stored as ordinary files, so an unencrypted drive can be read by anyone who plugs it in. Encrypt it with macOS — Disk Utility or Finder's Encrypt option."
tags: ["external drive", "encryption", "theft"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/privacy-safety/does-storage-studio-work-with-filevault", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/privacy-safety/what-if-my-external-drive-fails"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Should I encrypt my external drive to protect the files I move there?

It's a good idea if the drive holds anything personal. Storage Studio moves your files to the drive as ordinary files — it doesn't encrypt relocated folders itself — so anyone who plugs the drive in could read them unless the drive is encrypted.

macOS can do it for you: format the drive as an encrypted APFS volume in **Disk Utility**, or right-click it in Finder and choose **Encrypt**. You'll then type its password when you connect it (or let your Mac remember it in your keychain).

Data Backup to a local drive is encrypted automatically regardless.