To locate the FileVault Recovery Key on a Mac, you will need to follow these steps:
1. Click the lock icon: In the bottom left corner of your screen, you will find a lock icon. Click on it to unlock the System Preferences.
2. Enter administrator name and password: After clicking the lock icon, a dialog box will appear asking for your administrator name and password. Enter the required details to proceed.
3. Turn on FileVault: Once you have entered the administrator credentials, you will see the option to enable FileVault. Click on the “Turn On FileVault” button.
4. Choose recovery key option: In the FileVault setup window, you will be presented with two options for your recovery key: “Create a recovery key and do not use my iCloud account” or “Allow my iCloud account to unlock my disk.” Select the first option, which involves creating a recovery key that is not tied to your iCloud account.
5. Click “Continue”: After selecting the recovery key option, click on the “Continue” button to proceed with the setup process.
6. View the recovery key: macOS will now display a string of numbers and letters, which is your Mac’s FileVault Recovery Key. This key is crucial for recovering your data in case you forget your login password or experience any other issues with FileVault.
It’s important to note that the FileVault Recovery Key is a unique and randomly generated sequence of characters. It serves as a backup method to unlock your disk and access your data if you encounter any problems with your login password.
Once you have your FileVault Recovery Key, it is highly recommended to store it in a safe and secure location. You can write it down and keep it in a secure physical location like a safe or a locked drawer, or you can store it digitally in a password manager or encrypted file.
Remember, losing the FileVault Recovery Key can result in permanent data loss, so it’s crucial to keep it in a secure place that you can easily access if needed.
To summarize, the FileVault Recovery Key on a Mac can be found by following the steps mentioned above. It is important to create and safeguard this key to ensure you can recover your data in case of any issues with FileVault or your login password.