The first thing you need to do is insert the media into your Mac.

files, folders, programs, etc.) will be lost! If you’re using existing media, you should consider copying or backing up the data on that media to another media first so that you can then copy it back to the encrypted media later. Please note that when you reformat this media, you are effectively erasing it so any existing data (e.g. In order to encrypt a flash drive or SD card (we’ll call them “media” collectively from this point onward), you should either start with brand new media or prepare to reformat the media that you may already have. Most Macs have built-in SD card slots so Apple has made SD cards very easy and convenient to use. You can also easily encrypt Secure Digital “SD” cards too! SD cards are typically what is used in digital cameras to record the images taken with the camera.

If they are encrypted, you don’t have to worry about the data on them being accessible to someone that may have stolen your flash drive or happened to have found it lying around somewhere.Īpple’s Mac OS X 10.7 “Lion” and later operating systems make it easy to do a full disk encryption of these flash drives.

The reason it’s important to encrypt these flash drives is because these flash drives are usually physically small and can be easily misplaced, lost or stolen. One of the things I’ve noticed, though, is how many people put sensitive and personal data on these flash drives but don’t even bother to encrypt them. Like many of my clients and friends, I use a flash drive (also known as a “USB drive” or “Pen drive” or “Thumb drive” etc.), for backing up important files. For the YouTube video for Sierra edition, click here. If you’re looking for the macOS 10.12 “Sierra” edition, please click here. ( NOTE: This was written for OS X 10.9 “Mavericks.” If you’re looking for the OS X 10.11 “El Capitan” edition, please click here. How to Easily Encrypt a Flash Drive on a Mac

Encrypt flash drive mac