FileVault

E41428

FileVault is Apple’s built-in full-disk encryption system for macOS that protects data by encrypting the contents of a Mac’s startup disk.

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Observed surface forms (1)

Surface form Occurrences
FileVault 2 1

Statements (48)

Predicate Object
instanceOf disk encryption software
full-disk encryption system
macOS security feature
canBeManagedBy MDM solutions
category Secure Enclave
surface form: Apple security technology

data protection technology
compatibleWith Apple silicon
surface form: Apple silicon Macs

Intel-based Macs with T2 chip
configurationLocation System Settings > Privacy & Security (modern macOS)
dataStateProtected data at rest
defaultStateOnNewMacs enabled by default on many modern Macs
developer Apple Inc.
documentationURL https://support.apple.com/HT204837
effectOfDisabling triggers disk decryption process
encryptionScope entire startup disk
full disk
encryptionType on-the-fly encryption
encrypts macOS system volume
startup disk
integratedWith Recovery Key mechanism
iCloud account recovery (optional)
macOS login system
introducedIn Mac OS X 10.3 Panther
Mac OS X 10.7 Lion
majorRevision FileVault self-linksurface differs
surface form: FileVault 2
operatingSystem macOS
platform Mac
previousConfigurationLocation System Preferences > Security & Privacy (older macOS)
protectsAgainst offline attacks on disk contents
unauthorized access to data on lost or stolen Macs
purpose full-disk encryption
protect user data at rest
recoveryMethod recovery key displayed during setup
storing recovery key with Apple (optional, via iCloud account)
relatedTo Secure Enclave
T2 security chip
macOS Recovery
requires administrator privileges to enable
initial disk encryption process
user authentication at startup
statusCheck can be verified in macOS system settings
storesKeysIn Secure Enclave
surface form: Secure Enclave (on supported Macs)
supports institutional recovery key
multiple user accounts
personal recovery key
usedIn enterprise Mac deployments
usesEncryptionAlgorithm XTS-AES-128
usesKeyLength 256-bit key

Referenced by (3)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Mac hasSecurityFeature FileVault
FileVault majorRevision FileVault self-linksurface differs
this entity surface form: FileVault 2
macOS supportsSecurityFeature FileVault