Erase and Encrypt External HD for macOS

All drives that are shipped around with production data on them should be encrypted. Especially when shipping rushes. Below is the most simple approach to dealing with drive encryption via software when hardware encryption isn’t available.

• Open Disk Utility
• Select your drive
• Click Erase

• Access the options from the Format tab

• Use APFS (Encrypted)

• You will be prompted to add a password so set that.
• Click Choose

• Then erase and the drive will be formatted and encrypted

If you can’t choose the Encrypted option. You must reveal the hardware from the View tab on the top left then format the drive at this level to GUID Partition Map. See below.