How do I GPT a flash drive so it will accept password protection - can I use Disk Utility? When I click on it's icon and select encrypt it says I must GPT the flash drive. When I look at it in Disk Utility the Partition option is not highlighted and would I have to use a specific format for the disk?
iMac, macOS Sierra (10.12.5), Corei7 2.93GHZ, 16GBMemory,
Make sure that your storage device is properly formatted
For best results, your external hard drive, thumb drive, SDHC or SDXC card, or other storage device should be formatted as Mac OS Extended, not FAT, ExFAT, or NTFS. And to function as a startup disk, it needs to be using a GUID partition map. Here's how to check:
- Connect your external storage device to your Mac.
- Choose Apple menu () > About This Mac, then click the System Report button. Or hold down the Option key and choose Apple menu > System Information.
- Select Storage from the sidebar, then select your storage device from the list of volumes. Make sure that the Partition Map Type shown for your storage device is GPT (GUID Partition Table):
If your storage device isn't using a GUID partition map, you can follow these steps to create one with Disk Utility.This deletes all of the data stored on your device.
- If you're using OS X El Capitan or later, select your external storage device in Disk Utility. (Select the disk name, not the volume name indented beneath it.) Then click Erase and choose the GUID partition map scheme and any Mac OS Extended format before erasing.
- If you're using OS X Yosemite or earlier, select your external storage device in Disk Utility. (Select the disk name, not the volume name indented beneath it.) Click the Partition tab, select your partition, then click the Options button. Select GUID Partition Table before partitioning.
Make sure that your storage device is properly formatted
For best results, your external hard drive, thumb drive, SDHC or SDXC card, or other storage device should be formatted as Mac OS Extended, not FAT, ExFAT, or NTFS. And to function as a startup disk, it needs to be using a GUID partition map. Here's how to check:
- Connect your external storage device to your Mac.
- Choose Apple menu () > About This Mac, then click the System Report button. Or hold down the Option key and choose Apple menu > System Information.
- Select Storage from the sidebar, then select your storage device from the list of volumes. Make sure that the Partition Map Type shown for your storage device is GPT (GUID Partition Table):
If your storage device isn't using a GUID partition map, you can follow these steps to create one with Disk Utility.This deletes all of the data stored on your device.
- If you're using OS X El Capitan or later, select your external storage device in Disk Utility. (Select the disk name, not the volume name indented beneath it.) Then click Erase and choose the GUID partition map scheme and any Mac OS Extended format before erasing.
- If you're using OS X Yosemite or earlier, select your external storage device in Disk Utility. (Select the disk name, not the volume name indented beneath it.) Click the Partition tab, select your partition, then click the Options button. Select GUID Partition Table before partitioning.
How do I GPT a flash drive so it will accept password protection - can I use Disk Utility?
