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fdesetup MacOS command

The fdesetup command on MacOS is a powerful tool for managing FileVault, the built-in encryption feature that helps secure your data. With fdesetup, you can enable and disable FileVault, add users to encrypted volumes, check encryption status, and perform various other tasks related to FileVault management. By utilizing the fdesetup command, you can maintain the security of your data and ensure that it remains protected from unauthorized access.

fdesetup Syntax:

Terminal window
fdesetup [options] [parameters]

Options:

OptionDescription
enableEnable FileVault on a specific user
statusCheck the current status of FileVault
hasinstitutionalkeyCheck if the system has an institutional key
changeuserpasswordChange the current user’s FileVault password
listList the users that can unlock FileVault
removeRemove a user from the list of FileVault users

Parameters:

ParameterDescription
usernameThe username of the user to interact with
recoverykeyThe recovery key for FileVault
passwordThe user’s password for FileVault

fdesetup bash Examples:

Enable FileVault

Terminal window
sudo fdesetup enable

Enables FileVault encryption on the macOS system.

Add a User as an Enabled FileVault User

Terminal window
sudo fdesetup add -inputplist <path_to_plist_file>

Adds a user as an enabled FileVault user using a specified property list file.

Remove a User from FileVault

Terminal window
sudo fdesetup remove -user <username>

Removes a user from FileVault using their username.

Get the List of Enabled FileVault Users

Terminal window
sudo fdesetup list

Displays the list of users who are enabled to unlock the disk encrypted using FileVault.

Change the Recovery Key for FileVault

Terminal window
sudo fdesetup changerecovery -personal

Changes the recovery key for FileVault using the personal recovery key option.

Suspend FileVault Encryption

Terminal window
sudo fdesetup suspend

Suspends the FileVault encryption process on the macOS system.

How do I enable FileVault using fdesetup in MacOS?

To enable FileVault using fdesetup in MacOS, execute the following command:

Terminal window
sudo fdesetup enable

How do I add a user as an additional FileVault-enabled user with fdesetup in MacOS?

To add a user as an additional FileVault-enabled user with fdesetup in MacOS, execute the following command:

Terminal window
sudo fdesetup add -usertoadd username

How do I remove a user from being FileVault enabled using fdesetup in MacOS?

To remove a user from being FileVault enabled using fdesetup in MacOS, execute the following command:

Terminal window
sudo fdesetup remove -user username

How do I unlock FileVault using the recovery key with fdesetup in MacOS?

To unlock FileVault using the recovery key with fdesetup in MacOS, execute the following command:

Terminal window
sudo fdesetup authrestart -inputplist

How do I show FileVault status using fdesetup in MacOS?

To show FileVault status using fdesetup in MacOS, execute the following command:

Terminal window
sudo fdesetup status

How do I change the institutional recovery key with fdesetup in MacOS?

To change the institutional recovery key with fdesetup in MacOS, execute the following command:

Terminal window
sudo fdesetup changerecovery -institutional -inputplist

How do I list the enabled users for FileVault using fdesetup in MacOS?

To list the enabled users for FileVault using fdesetup in MacOS, execute the following command:

Terminal window
sudo fdesetup list -extended

How do I disable FileVault using fdesetup in MacOS?

To disable FileVault using fdesetup in MacOS, execute the following command:

Terminal window
sudo fdesetup disable

Applications of the fdesetup command

  • Enable FileVault
  • Disable FileVault
  • Add a user as a FileVault-enabled user
  • Remove a user from FileVault
  • Change the recovery key
  • Display information about FileVault status, users, and keys
  • Enable, disable, or instant user recovery
  • Create a new FileVault-enabled user account
  • Remove a user’s password from the list of allowed to unlock FileVault
  • Change the personal recovery key