Why doesn't my Disk Utility allow me to create an encrypted folder? When I try, I get a Message that says "operation not permitted" I am using macOS 15.2 on a 16 inch MacBook Pro 2021.
Thanks.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.2
First, just clarify, Disk Utility cannot create an encrypted folder as such, just an encrypted disk image. It can create such an image from an existing folder, if that's what you mean.
That said, forgive what may be a dumb question in my part, but are you sure you're trying to create the image in a directory to which you have full permissions?
What is this external drive?
What file system is on it? By default macOS cannot write to an NTFS volume without the assistance of a third party driver. You also cannot write to a Time Machine backup volume since they are read-only.
If the external drive is just a regular data drive, then make sure "Ignore ownership" is checked:
If you don’t have permission to use files on a Mac disk - Apple Support
I tried to back up a folder with items in it on an external disk and got that message. I then created an empty folder on the external drive. It says same "operation not permissible".
It is formatted APFS with the permissions "Ignore ownership" turned on. Also read and right on for me and staff. Still get the same results.
Disk Utility 'operation not permitted' error on macOS 15.2
