Running Ventura 13.6.9 on a circa 2019 intel based iMac. All my Google searches seem to indicate that I should be able to encrypt individual files or folders by right clicking the item in Finder. However, the Encrypt option is totally missing. Is there a hardware requirement that my Intel based iMac does not support?
iMac 27″ 5K, macOS 13.6
You can encrypt media, but not individual files or folders with Finder, because there are limitless encryption methods available for files, and Apple doesn’t know which one you might want to use. The media you encrypt can only be decrypted on another Apple device, because it uses a proprietary encryption algorithm.
The app that creates files can frequently encrypt it; for example, all Microsoft Office apps can encrypt files.
You can also use 3rd party encryption tools; search for them in the Mac App store. Most can be added to the dropdown menu in Finder.
You can encrypt media, but not individual files or folders with Finder, because there are limitless encryption methods available for files, and Apple doesn’t know which one you might want to use. The media you encrypt can only be decrypted on another Apple device, because it uses a proprietary encryption algorithm.
The app that creates files can frequently encrypt it; for example, all Microsoft Office apps can encrypt files.
You can also use 3rd party encryption tools; search for them in the Mac App store. Most can be added to the dropdown menu in Finder.
Where exactly are you getting this information? The information I can find in the User Guide seems to indicate that you can do this for files on removable media:
Protect your Mac information with encryption - Apple Support
I don't have any handy removable media to test this on.
To protect files on your Mac, you can use FileVault:
Protect data on your Mac with FileVault - Apple Support
Thanks for clarifying that, Lawrence.
Why is the Encrypt option missing in the Finder shortcut list?
