Level 1

59 points

No Volume Password for USB Sticks?

I recently picked up a "USB stick" ("thumb drive," or whatever term you prefer). I was hoping to use the Disk Utility to format it with a password, but I don't see that option. I see MacOS Extended (Journaled), MacOS Extended (Case-Sensitive, Journaled), MS-DOS (FAT), and ExFAT, but I don't see any options related to setting a password.

Is that option just not available for USB sticks, or did they just stop supporting volume passwords entirely? (Or am I looking in the wrong place or something?)

iMac 27″, macOS 12.6

Posted on Sep 15, 2023 6:38 PM

Top-ranking reply

Encryptor5000

Level 5

7,778 points

Posted on Sep 15, 2023 10:11 PM

Hi mr88cet,

If you only plan to use the thumb drive with other Macs, you can encrypt it using Apple File System (APFS) or in older versions of macOS, Mac OS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted).

WARNING: This erases all data from the thumb drive.

Connect your thumb drive to your Mac.
Open Disk Utility, located in Applications -> Utilities.
In Disk Utility, select View -> Show All Devices.
Select the top level of your thumb drive and select Erase. Choose these options:
1. Name: Whatever you want
2. Format: APFS (Encrypted)
3. Scheme: GUID Partition Map
Set a password when prompted, then click Erase. Future files placed on the USB drive will be protected with this password.

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29 replies

mr88cet Author

Level 1

59 points

Sep 16, 2023 3:25 AM in response to Servant of Cats

Thanks for the reply. I formatted it as MacOS Journaled, rather than FAT nor ExFAT. I did not see any option for encryption/password.

mr88cet Author

Level 1

59 points

Sep 16, 2023 3:35 AM in response to Encryptor5000

Thanks for the reply. I don't see any "APFS (Encrypted)" option:

BDAqua

Level 10

251,399 points

Sep 16, 2023 3:43 AM in response to mr88cet

I get the same thing as you herein Mojave trying to Erase a USB stick, no APFS choice‽

mr88cet Author

Level 1

59 points

Sep 16, 2023 3:52 AM in response to BDAqua

Interesting: Not just me then…

BDAqua

Level 10

251,399 points

Sep 16, 2023 4:01 AM in response to mr88cet

Yep, I found it interesting too, but USB Sticks are the least reliable form of Data storage , so I don't use them much my friend.

mr88cet Author

Level 1

59 points

Sep 16, 2023 4:07 AM in response to BDAqua

Right…

mr88cet Author

Level 1

59 points

Sep 16, 2023 4:18 AM in response to dialabrain

It looked the same on my M2 MacBook Pro running Ventura.

(Dang, one of these days, I need to find time to update my "Big Mac"!)

dialabrain

Level 10

137,785 points

Sep 16, 2023 4:21 AM in response to mr88cet

Are you running Monterey as indicated or something else? My screen shot is from Monterey.

dialabrain

Level 10

137,785 points

Sep 16, 2023 4:42 AM in response to mr88cet

mr88cet wrote:

I see the same formatting options on both Macs.

Sorry, you've lost me. You said you see the same thing as I posted on your MBP. If you see the same thing on both computers?

mr88cet Author

Level 1

59 points

Sep 16, 2023 4:46 AM in response to dialabrain

Yes, I see the same on both Macs.

In fact, I took that screenshot on my M2 MBP, but it looks the same on my older iMac.

dialabrain

Level 10

137,785 points

Sep 16, 2023 4:49 AM in response to mr88cet

Maybe someone else can interpret what you are saying. The screen shot you posted is not the same as mine.

BDAqua

Level 10

251,399 points

Sep 16, 2023 4:55 AM in response to dialabrain

I wonder if it's maybe the stick's firmware???

I think I've had some that refused Mac formatting.

mr88cet Author

Level 1

59 points

Sep 16, 2023 5:01 AM in response to dialabrain

Oh, I see the same thing as I posted on both Macs.

I do not see what you posted on either of my Macs.

mr88cet Author

Level 1

59 points

Sep 16, 2023 5:22 AM in response to dialabrain

Point being, Monterrey vs. Ventura does not appear to be a factor in the formatting options I’m seeing.

I at least do not see what you’re seeing on either of my Macs.

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No Volume Password for USB Sticks?