You are viewing the macOS 26 version of this guide, recorded on macOS Tahoe 26 (MacBook Pro) on 3 October 2026. It is kept as it was and not updated. See the macOS 27 version.
howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-turn-on-filevault-on-a-mac/ · Checked 3 October 2026 · MacBook Pro · macOS Tahoe 26
In this guide
Open System Settings, click Privacy & Security, scroll to FileVault and click Turn On. Choose how to unlock the disk if you forget your password, and keep the recovery key somewhere safe.
2 of 4 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below
- Device
- Mac
- Shown on
- macOS Tahoe 26 (MacBook Pro)
- App
- System Settings
- Real screenshots
- 2 of 4 steps
- Checked
- 3 October 2026
- Sources
- 1 official, linked below
Step by step
Tap the picture to see it full size Open System Settings and click Privacy & Security
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and choose System Settings.
Tap the picture to see it full size Scroll to FileVault and click Turn On
You may be asked for your password. On Macs with Apple silicon or the T2 chip, data is already encrypted. Turning FileVault on additionally ties that encryption to your password.
Choose a recovery method
You can allow your iCloud account to unlock the disk, or create a recovery key and not use iCloud. A recovery key is a long code of letters and numbers. Write it down and store it away from the Mac.
Click Continue
Encryption happens in the background while you work. On newer Macs it is almost immediate.
What we saw on our device
- Open System Settings and click Privacy & Security: On our MacBook Neo the page that opens is titled Privacy & Security, with Privacy and Location Services at the top.
- Scroll to Security and click FileVault: On our MacBook Neo the row read FileVault Off, just below Allow applications from.
About this guide
FileVault encrypts everything on the Mac's disk. If the Mac is lost or stolen, nobody can read your files without your password, even by removing the drive.
Good to know
If you forget your password and lose the recovery method, the data cannot be recovered by anyone, including Apple. Take the recovery step seriously.
FileVault protects a Mac that is switched off or logged out. Lock the screen when you walk away: Control + Command + Q.
Performance is not noticeably affected on any Mac from the last several years.
FileVault protects the disk if the Mac is stolen; the firewall protects it on networks: How to turn on the firewall on a Mac.
A strong login password matters more with FileVault on: how to change your password on a Mac.
In short: System Settings > Privacy & Security > FileVault > turn on the FileVault switch > choose a recovery method > Continue.
Links checked in October 2026. Menus and features can change after software updates. These steps match the version named at the top.
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