FileVault Setup

Main Content

1. Open System Preferences and click on “Security & Privacy”.
Open System Preferences and click on “Security & Privacy”.

2. Click the “File Vault” tab.

2. Click the “File Vault” tab.

3. Click the lock icon at bottom of the window to “unlock” the system so you can make changes.  Enter your username and password. 

3. Click the lock icon at bottom of the window to “unlock” the system so you can make changes. Enter your username and password.

4. Click “Turn On FileVault”.

4. Click “Turn On FileVault”.

5.  If your Mac has multiple users, you will see a screen similar to the one below.  You need to enable each user or they will be unable to log onto the machine. 

5. If your Mac has multiple users, you will see a screen similar to the one below. You need to enable each user or they will be unable to log onto the machine.

6. Once FileVault is activated, you will be presented with your manual recovery key. You will need it if you forget your password, so make a record of someplace safe. Your email account and/or a file on your machine is not safe.

6. Once FileVault is activated, you will be presented with your manual recovery key. You will need it if you forget your password, so make a record of someplace safe. Your email account and/or a file on your machine is not safe.

7. Next you will be presented with the option of storing your recovery key with Apple, but this is not recommended.  If you choose to do so, you will need to answer some security questions to unlock your drive should you lose the key.

7. Next you will be presented with the option of storing your recovery key with Apple, but this is not recommended. If you choose to do so, you will need to answer some security questions to unlock your drive should you lose the key.

8. You must restart your Mac to begin the encryption process. This may take several hours, so be sure to leave your machine plugged in and running. The machine is usable during the encryption process but will be slower than normal; once the process is complete, you will not notice much, if any, performance difference. 

8. You must restart your Mac to begin the encryption process. This may take several hours, so be sure to leave your machine plugged in and running. The machine is usable during the encryption process but will be slower than normal; once the process is complete, you will not notice much, if any, performance difference.