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Cannot upgrade to Catalina - FileVault Encrypting

I have 2013 MacBook pro that I recently updated to High Sierra.

I have been unable to do a time machine backup because it says FileVault is currently encrytping(been like this for 3 weeks), so my most recent backup is prior to the HS update.

Also whenever I shutdown the mac, it gets stuck with a black screen and I have to hold the power button down to stop it - including restarts.


I figured I would update to Catalina in an attempt to fix the issues.

But when trying to install it fails when it says FileVault is currently encrypting, so I cannot upgrade.


My next thought was to turn off FileVault, but alas this is also not working as the turn off button is grayed out, I have tried a few things like creating an alternate user, but the turn off FileVault option is always unavailable(yes, I unlock the panel with root password).


So as you can see I am stuck, unable to upgrade or even take a backup, please help

MacBook Pro Retina

Posted on Oct 15, 2019 2:30 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 16, 2019 5:17 PM

Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), does the problem occur in Safe Mode?


Safe mode attempts to repair Disks & clears lots of caches, so if Safe Mode works try again in regular boot.

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14 replies

Oct 15, 2019 3:40 PM in response to BDAqua

Thanks for your reply.


Is there a way to see the progress of the encryption?


A couple of time when on battery power and I go to the FileVault settings, it says encryption paused, plug into power to resume encryption, so I plug into power and then starts encrypting, says 1 hour remaining, 2 hours remaining, then says complete, this over a 30 second period.

Every other time I view the settings, it just says key is set and turned on for Macintosh HD, no progress details.

Its a 1TB SSD that was from the apple factory, It has 880GB used.


Oct 15, 2019 11:49 PM in response to BDAqua

fdesetup status:

FileVault is On.

FileVault master keychain appears to be installed


diskutil cs list | grep 'Conversion Progress':

(blank)


diskutil cs list:

No CoreStorage logical volume groups found


diskutil list:

/dev/disk0 (internal, physical):

   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER

   0:      GUID_partition_scheme                        *1.0 TB     disk0

   1:                        EFI EFI                     209.7 MB   disk0s1

   2:                 Apple_APFS Container disk1         880.3 GB   disk0s2

   3:       Microsoft Basic Data BOOTCAMP                120.0 GB   disk0s3


/dev/disk1 (synthesized):

   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER

   0:      APFS Container Scheme -                      +880.3 GB   disk1

                                 Physical Store disk0s2

   1:                APFS Volume Macintosh HD            781.9 GB   disk1s1

   2:                APFS Volume Preboot                 44.3 MB    disk1s2

   3:                APFS Volume Recovery                510.4 MB   disk1s3

   4:                APFS Volume VM                      1.1 GB     disk1s4


Oct 16, 2019 1:47 PM in response to BDAqua

Unable to turn off FileVault - grayed out

Unable to perform a time machine backup - encryption in progress

Unable to install OS update - encryption in progress


I went from Yosemite -> High Sierra rapidly in a couple OS update rounds.

Only updated as I could no longer connect to iOS13(Backup/Sync) with Yosemite, also I am planning on a new macbook pro, so thought I would update, backup and restore all on Catalina versions.

Oct 17, 2019 1:52 PM in response to BDAqua

I tried safe boot and Turn off filevault is still grayed out.


If I boot on battery power I can get the encryption to pause, and plugging into resumes and it says it finishes, but still can't update or backup.


I have backed up all my important data manually and am ready for a new macbook, that I will start fresh on(not time machine restore), it seems I have a gathered a lot of apps that no longer function in later OSX's


Just trying to hold out for Macbook pro 16" announcement

Cannot upgrade to Catalina - FileVault Encrypting

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