Hi there I have an macbook pro running 14.6.1
I just enabled FileVault
Does that mean all files on this machine are now encrypted? Even the files that date back to the first files on the system ssd drive?
<< Does that mean all files on this machine are now encrypted? >>
Not exactly.
It means that the process of converting EVERY file on the drive has STARTED. Each and every file in turn will be read in un-encrypted, and written back out encrypted. This process will take four hours to a few days of awake but not-too-busy time. if your Mac sleeps, or you do a Restart, it will just delay the completion.
While it is doing the conversion, MOST things work in the half-encrypted state. One that does not is software update or a new Install of MacOS. Another is attempting to change the state of encryption again or say STOP. It WILL run to completion.
<< Does that mean all files on this machine are now encrypted? >>
Not exactly.
It means that the process of converting EVERY file on the drive has STARTED. Each and every file in turn will be read in un-encrypted, and written back out encrypted. This process will take four hours to a few days of awake but not-too-busy time. if your Mac sleeps, or you do a Restart, it will just delay the completion.
While it is doing the conversion, MOST things work in the half-encrypted state. One that does not is software update or a new Install of MacOS. Another is attempting to change the state of encryption again or say STOP. It WILL run to completion.
If you are using a 2018+ Mac, then Filevault works differently. With a 2018+ Mac, the data on the internal SSD is already hardware encrypted at all times. Enabling Filevault on a 2018+ Mac adds another layer of protection which is completed almost immediately. See these Apple articles regarding Filevault:
How does FileVault work on a Mac? - Apple Support
wherever you initiated converting to FileVault encrypted in the first place.
the button shows (Turn On FileVault) before you do anything.
when it has completed the initial encryption (and NOT before) it will offer (Turn OFF FileVault)
You should get a notification that it has finished.
Also, it will not be willing to show the ability to change to DE-crypted until it has finished EN-crypting.
As a user is there any way for me to know when the encryption is fully complete?
Hi - where does it show the ability to change to DE-crypted until it has finished EN-crypting.
Enabling FileVault encrypts all files no matter their age?
