Is the Mac-mini FileVault Recovery Key the same for unlocking my Time Machine disk?

Mac-mini, iOS Sonoma 14.4. The SSD is encrypted and I have a FileVault Recovery Key. My Time Machine hard drive is encrypted. I have a password for the drive but I have no recollection of ever generating a FileVault Recovery Key for the TiMa.

Do I need one if I forget the password?

Is the Recovery Key the same as the one generated for the Mac SSD?

If I need a Recovery Key for TiMa, how would I generate one?

Mac mini, macOS 14.4

Posted on Apr 10, 2024 11:13 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 11, 2024 10:41 AM

den.thed; Thanks for you attention. And I am sorry I could not make pose my question clearly. For what it's worth, here is the answer I was seeking:

When you set FileVault on Mac OS it generates a Recovery key consisting of a string of 6 sets of 4 characters (24 total). See screen shot below. My question was in regard to a similar recovery key for TiMa. I have since learned that there is no similar 24 character Recovery Key for TiMa. There is only the password you create when you first encrypt the TiMa hard drive. By the way, the TiMa password does not have to be the same as the computer login password. (Also BTW, a similar 28 character Recovery Key is generated for your Apple cloud account. It is the only way to regain control of your account should you get locked out.)


This what you see when selecting FileVault ON.

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 11, 2024 10:41 AM in response to TRA43

den.thed; Thanks for you attention. And I am sorry I could not make pose my question clearly. For what it's worth, here is the answer I was seeking:

When you set FileVault on Mac OS it generates a Recovery key consisting of a string of 6 sets of 4 characters (24 total). See screen shot below. My question was in regard to a similar recovery key for TiMa. I have since learned that there is no similar 24 character Recovery Key for TiMa. There is only the password you create when you first encrypt the TiMa hard drive. By the way, the TiMa password does not have to be the same as the computer login password. (Also BTW, a similar 28 character Recovery Key is generated for your Apple cloud account. It is the only way to regain control of your account should you get locked out.)


This what you see when selecting FileVault ON.

Apr 10, 2024 2:20 PM in response to den.thed

Thanks for the reply.

My question is not about passwords. It is about the FileVault Recovery Key. This is a 24 character code generated by FileVault when you encrypt your hard drive. It is the only way to unlock your encrypted drive if you lose your password.

I have the key for my Mac-mini SSD. I do not have a key for TiMa. My question is: Will the key for my Mac SSD work for my TiMa.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Is the Mac-mini FileVault Recovery Key the same for unlocking my Time Machine disk?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.