forgot encryption password
I AFPS encrypted a new drive, then forgot the password. Is there a way to recover without losing my data?
MacBook Pro 13″, 12.5
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Unfortunately, if you have forgotten the password used to encrypt your APFS external drive, there is no easy way to access the data on it. APFS encryption is designed to be secure, and as such, it is not possible to decrypt the drive without the correct password.
However, there are a few things you can try:
1. Use a recovery key - If you created a recovery key when you encrypted the drive, you may be able to use it to unlock the drive. To do this, connect the drive to your Mac and select it in Finder. Then, click "Unlock" and enter the recovery key when prompted.
2. Try different passwords - If you have multiple passwords that you use frequently, try entering them to see if they work. Be sure to try variations of capitalization and spacing as well.
3. Use a data recovery service - If you are unable to unlock the drive using the above methods, you may need to use a data recovery service to access your data. These services can be expensive, but they may be able to recover your data even if you cannot unlock the drive.
4. Format the drive - If you are unable to access your data and do not need it, you can format the drive and start over. This will erase all data on the drive, but it will also remove the encryption and allow you to use the drive without a password.