Older models will take several hours or days, but you can close the System Preferences window and you can continue to work uninterrupted. How long does FileVault encryption take? Mac models with a T2 chip (models since 2018) will encrypt instantly.

While the encryption process is running you will not be allowed to install any system updates. When encryption starts your computer might freeze up for about 10 to 30 seconds, and depending on your macOS version you might be asked to restart. If you don’t have their passwords handy you can always come back to System Preferences > FileVault later and enter them. You can then switch to one of the other accounts. If the computer is turned off or restarted, only users whose passwords are entered on this screen can turn the computer on. This isn’t strictly required, but until you enter the passwords these users will be unable to turn the computer on. You may be asked to enter the passwords of other user accounts on the computer. If it’s not enabled, click the padlock icon in the lower-left corner and then click the button to Turn On FileVault. If it’s already enabled it will say so here. Go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Security & Privacy > FileVault. Encryption rewrites your data in code that only your password can decipher, so that if the data gets stolen it’s useless. A password is like a lock on your door: you can still come in through a window or hire a locksmith. There is a huge difference between password protection and encryption. There are still ways someone can override your password or connect your Mac to another Mac and copy your files off. If it’s a FileVault password then great, but if you don’t explicitly enable FileVault, your login password is nothing more than a deterrent from someone casually sitting down at your computer and using it. But I already have a password to get into my computer Once it’s enabled you won’t even know it’s on. It sounds like it could be a lot more complicated, but it’s surprisingly easy to use. Filevault encrypts all of the contents of your computer so that you and only you can access it should your computer be lost, stolen, or damaged. But many of us are not using one of Apple’s greatest security features: FileVault. One of the reasons we love Mac is that they are very secure.

File vault for mac