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Encrypt an external SSD

I have a Samsung T7 External 2Tb SSD that I want to encrypt but I am not getting that option is disc utility. I have the option for spinning external drives. I suspect this is not possible with SSD"s. Is this correct and is there any workaround?

Mac mini 2018 or later

Posted on Jun 10, 2022 3:25 PM

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Posted on Jun 10, 2022 5:10 PM

Select "Samsung PSSD T7 Shiel…" Device and Erase that.

However, you should be able to Encrypt SSD1 in Finder.


If you can't, then it likely has something to do with the Samsung device. They seem to have a history of making poorly designed SSD's

10 replies

Jun 10, 2022 3:47 PM in response to marby

I have a Samsung T7 External 2Tb SSD that I want to encrypt but I am not getting that option is disc utility.

It doesn't have a GUID partition Table. You would have to erase the device to create the GPT. From the View popup menu select Show All Devices. Select the device and Erase. You can then choose GUID for partition map.

Jun 10, 2022 4:03 PM in response to marby

I said nothing about partitioning.

It doesn't matter how you erase the volume. You have to erase the device.

Re-read my instructions and try again. If any of the steps fail, let us know which one.

The partition function is unavailable for the same reason you cannot encrypt. The Partition Map of the drive does not allow for such things.

Encrypt an external SSD

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