Encryption of data storage devices is paramount for data security and defense against data breaches. With the advancement of technology and great reliance on data to provide insight, securing these data with encryption programs is crucial. One of the top encryption programs is BitLocker encryption from Microsoft.
BitLocker encryption program is a native security program that is available on Windows laptops and devices. It is useful for encrypting everything on a drive that uses the Windows operating system. With BitLocker encryption, it helps to protect the data on drives and other external storage devices by encrypting them.
The only way anyone can gain access to such devices is by providing the right decryption keys. These decryption keys can be either the password or the 48-digits recovery digits. In a scenario where the password is unavailable, the 48-digits recovery digit is useful for gaining access to the storage device.
This article explains how to open BitLocker drive on Mac, the right BitLocker encryption and decryption software to use and the things to do after every read-write operation on Mac.
BitLocker Encryption on Mac
BitLocker encryption features are natively available to Windows users. However, Mac users depend on third party software to enjoy the benefits of BitLocker encryption. Without third-party software, Mac users are not able to mount nor perform certain functions on a BitLocker-encrypted drive.
On the internet, M3 BitLocker Loader for Mac is professional third-party software that offers BitLocker features to Mac users. As a Mac user, you can now perform read-write functionality on a BitLocker-encrypted drive among other available functionalities.
M3 BitLocker is also compatible with all recent macOS versions. This includes macOS Monterey Beta, Big Sur, Mojave, Catalina, Apple Silicon M1 Mac and High Sierra among others. Using M3 BitLocker Loader on Mac with any of these operating system versions provides that native BitLocker feature for read-write operation.
How to Read and Write BitLocker Drive on Mac?
The core feature you enjoy by using M3 BitLocker Loader for Mac is the ability to read-write natively on BitLocker drive. To start enjoying the read-write benefit among others, you will need to perform some crucial but simple steps. Follow the step-by-step process below on how to read and write BitLocker drive on your Mac:
1. Download and Install M3 BitLocker Loader on Mac
The first and important step to kick-start this simple process is to download the M3 BitLocker Loader software free from the internet. This third party software is available on the official website m3bitlockerkoader.pkg free for download. After downloading, locate the installation file in the Downloads folder on your Mac. Note, M3 BitLocker setup for Mac requires macOS High Sierra 10.13 or a later version.
Double click on the file to start the installation process of the M3 BitLocker software on your Mac. Follow the setup prompt from the installation wizard to complete the installation of the M3 BitLocker Loader software. In a scenario where you receive a prompt to allow ‘System extensions’, approve this prompt to continue your installation process.
2. Launch M3 BitLocker Loader software on Mac
After completing the installation process, proceed to the Applications folder to launch the M3 BitLocker Loader software for Mac. Double click on the software to launch this application on your Mac. Next, plug in your BitLocker encrypted drive to access it using M3 BitLocker software. On the M3 BitLocker software interface, click on the ‘Open’ icon to mount the encrypted drive on Mac.
Proceed by selecting the ‘Volume Mounter’ option at this stage. You also have the option of selecting the ‘File manager’ option if you choose to evaluate the drive. The file manager option provides you with the option to browse and preview the files on the drive. The volume mounter provides you with the full option from the M3 BitLocker Loader software to read-write on the encrypted drive.
3. Unlock encrypted drive using M3 BitLocker software
On receiving the prompt to enter the password for the encrypted drive, provide the password or enter the 48-digit BitLocker recovery key if you do not have the password. In a scenario where you do not have the password nor the 48-digit BitLocker recovery key, the M3 BitLocker software will not break into your encrypted drive.
To complete the drive mounting process, click unlock to mount the encrypted drive on your Mac. On successfully mounting the BitLocker-encrypted drive on your Mac, you can now read-write on the drive. You can also natively operate the drive on Finder just like all other drives that work on Mac.
Function like read, write, copy, edit, delete, rename and other functions are now available via the M3 BitLocker Loader software for Mac.
Things to do after a read-write operation on the encrypted drive on Mac
Re-enforcing the encryption after unlocking the encrypted drive is important to enjoy BitLocker security. To avoid any fault on the BitLocker drive, disconnecting properly is important. To disconnect properly from your Mac, here are two things that should occur:
1. Lock Encrypted Drive: the first step is to re-enforce the encryption on the drive. To do this, click on the ‘Lock’ button to re-engage the lock on the drive.
2. Eject Drive: the final step is to eject the drive first before unplugging from the Mac. Unplugging without ejecting first might cause file damage or damage the drive itself. To eject the drive, simply click on the ‘Eject’ button before safely unplugging it.
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