The FileVault security organization , put in many years ago to macOS , prevents someone from protrude up or resume your reckoner and gaining approach to its inauguration volume , which is inscribe . ( FileVault handled the encoding in its early sidereal day , but it ’s now handled in computer hardware and always enabled with any Intel Mac with a T2 Security Ship and with all Apple silicon M - serial publication Macs . )
This introduce a problem if you ’re using remote silver screen entree to habituate your Mac . If you need to make a change that requires rebooting your Mac , it will go right back to the FileVault login sieve , which can not be accessed through outside - control condition software . The countersign has to be entered at that screen to unlock the startup drive and to boot into macOS .
Restart manually and bypass FileVault
If you need to resume manually after making a change , you’re able to use a Terminal program line that will reset your estimator into macOSa single time .
There are three important provisos :
Disable FileVault to ensure remote access
You could disable FileVault inSystem options > Privacy & Security > FileVault . Then , whenever your Mac reboots , it will always allow access from the main macOS login windowpane . This works in case of a power outage , a clangor and robotlike restart , or a manual restart . ( verify thatSystem stage setting > Energy’s“Start up mechanically after a power failure ” is enabled . )
However , it come in with the risk that your data could shine into the faulty manus . With FileVault disabled , someone with access to your computer can restart it into recoveryOS , typically used for Disk Utility or reinstalling macOS , and easily retrieve all your stored files .
Disabling FileVault is a uncouth practice for Macs used as servers , which are typically stored in locked rooms , ensure with biometric or other unique access code , and monitor by surety cameras .
For a home plate user , you should look at whether your Mac ever will the house , how susceptible you are to theft , and whether you ’re concern your data point would wind up up in the hands of someone else .
With obtain My enabled , if the Mac is connected to the cyberspace , you’re able to remotely shut away and restart it to keep access . However , stealer are unlikely to connect a Mac before trying to get at data on it if they ’re sophisticated enough to extract your entropy .
This Mac 911 article is in response to a query give in by Macworld reader Cynthia .
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