How to Password Protect a Folder in macOS?

Hey there! In this quick YouTube shorts tutorial, I'll show you how to password protect a folder on your Mac using macOS's built-in tools. Worried about keeping your sensitive data secure? Password-protecting folders is a must to safeguard confidential information. Lucky for you, it's super easy with Disk Utility.

First, I'll guide you on opening Disk Utility and selecting the folder you want to protect. Then, we'll choose the encryption level: 128-bit AES or 256-bit AES. For extra security, I recommend going with 256-bit AES. We'll set a strong password and save the encrypted folder as a disk image with a .dmg extension.

Once your folder is encrypted, I'll show you how to access it by double-clicking the disk image file and entering the password. You'll be able to move files in and out as needed. And don't worry, I'll also explain how to secure individual files in native Mac apps like Notes, Pages, and Numbers.
Throughout the video, I'll share best practices for creating strong passwords and offer tips for data security. Remember, protecting your valuable information starts with using strong passwords!
So, if you're ready to keep your sensitive data safe from unauthorized access, join me in this YouTube shorts tutorial. Let's dive in and take action together! Stay safe out there!

Table of Contents:
*******************
00:00 - Intro
00:14 - Password protect a folder in macOS
01:02 - Open a password protected folder in macOS
01:16 - Password protect an individual file in macOS
01:34 - Best Practices
01:43 - Outro

[michaepwright]

Note to viewers: once you create the DMG file and test that you can access the image, delete the original unencrypted folder. The encrypted image is a copy of the original unencrypted folder. Hope that helps!

[rogerbeltz]

Thanks much. I thought that I knew how to encrypt files, folders and external drives but technology moves so fast and am now working on Apple's latest OS (Sonoma) and seems like EVERYTHING has changed (not for the better) in this OS so I needed this refresher course BTW- You should mention that before encrypting a folder one should make sure they have all, or actually MORE FILES than necessary files, folders, pictures, etc, etc inside the folder that is to be encrypted, otherwise, if AFTER encrypting the folder you try to add more "stuff" in the encrypted folder you will get a message saying that "there is not enough space to store the data". By putting more data in the folder than you actually need inside an encrypted folder, one can remove unwanted data (from the encrypted folder) while maintaining the extra space to add more data into the encrypted folder at a later time. * In other words, you can always go larger than you need but if you go smaller than you need, you're out of luck. Almost NO ONE mentions this when talking about encrypting

[cxnew]

Thanks fella. Tried 2 others before finding yours the best and easiest to follow.

[michaepwright]

Worked perfectly. Thank you!

macOS Sonoma 14.2.1

[GregorySD]

Do you have a video on how to turn off the password and decrypt the folder when you no longer need the protection?

[elijah_thornberry]

Such a concise and well made video - thank you!

[anything_expert]

Now I want to delete that how do I delete that

[winthorpetrois]

Thanks, but I don't want to create new folders. I don't have the space. I just want to protect some.

[kotakilla]

When you create a disk file, the file folder is still available to outsiders without a password...

[llesuetens]

Hello, can you also use this method for the Downloads folder?

[burakdemiral]

Well, after open the file once then you have all access to folder and can't encrypt it again. You have to eject the dmg file which is operating the protected folder but then you can't find it again to operate unless you didn't delete the original. Right?

[teleginalexander]

Doesn't work since the original folder is still accessable without the password

[mntnhound]

Doesn't work on Sonoma -- any ideas?

[Andrew-hdev]

Hi this doesn't work. After I exit the dmg file and then go back to it I do not get asked for a password again. So anyone can open the dmg folder and see all the files inside it. Can you clarify please?

[cry]

but theres the original blue folder that is unlocked ? the locked is just a copy

[YEETBOY-GAMES]

Meanwhile for Microsoft, right click the folder and choose set password. Done. Apple SUCKS!!!