How to password protect a folder on macOS using Disk Utility
How to password protect a folder on macOS using Disk Utility
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We will save valuable data from outsiders by means of the system itself.

How to password protect a folder on macOS using Disk Utility
How to password protect a folder on macOS using Disk Utility

Unfortunately, you cannot encrypt folders in macOS directly. However, you can put them in secure containers.

There are special applications for this, the same Encrypto. But it uses its own encrypted file format, so you won't be able to open your folder on a Mac where the program isn't installed.

Therefore, it is much easier to use the standard macOS tool - "Disk Utility". Here's how to do it.

Open Disk Utility from Launchpad. Or find it in the folder

/ Applications / Utilities / Disk Utility.app

Encrypt Folder: Disk Utility
Encrypt Folder: Disk Utility

On the menu bar, click File → New Image → Image from Folder. In the pop-up window, select the folder you want to password protect.

Disk Utility will prompt you to save the folder. Enter a name for the new image of the last one and specify where to save it. And then in the "Encryption" drop-down list, select the best way to implement it.

Encrypt Folder: Choose an Encryption Method
Encrypt Folder: Choose an Encryption Method

The application provides two options: "128-bit AES encryption" and "256-bit AES encryption". The second option is safer, but it will take more time. The first option is faster. Choose at your own discretion.

Encrypt folder: Enter password
Encrypt folder: Enter password

Create and enter the password you want to protect the folder with, then repeat it. There is practically no chance of decrypting data without a password, so remember it well.

Encrypt Folder: Image Format
Encrypt Folder: Image Format

In the "Image format" drop-down list, select the "read / write" option to be able to add files to the encrypted folder and delete them from there. Otherwise, you will only be able to view the content.

Encrypt Folder: Create an Encrypted Image
Encrypt Folder: Create an Encrypted Image

Click "Save" and wait for the encrypted DMG image to be created. The original folder can then be deleted.

Encrypt folder: Access password
Encrypt folder: Access password

Whenever you need to access data in an encrypted image, double-click it and enter your password. The image will mount as a separate drive. It will be possible to add other files to it or delete them from there.

When you're done working with encrypted data, unmount the disk on your desktop just like you would with any external media.

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