Time Machine Encryption

[Mufasa804]

Hello,

When I first setup my drive for Time Machine it asked me if I wanted to encrypt backups. I said yes and whenever the drive is plugged in it requires my password to read the files, which is awesome for security.

However I no longer want to use this drive and would like to hand it down to my brother but I can't figure out an easy way to remove the encryption. Can anyone provide help?

 

[PsyOpWarlord]

Hello,

When I first setup my drive for Time Machine it asked me if I wanted to encrypt backups. I said yes and whenever the drive is plugged in it requires my password to read the files, which is awesome for security.

However I no longer want to use this drive and would like to hand it down to my brother but I can't figure out an easy way to remove the encryption. Can anyone provide help?

The quickest and easiest is to just reformat the drive without encryption. This will remove the encryption and all the files giving him a clean drive to use.

Or if you still want all of your files on the drive you can decrypt the drive (can take quite some time). Connect the drive to your computer, on the desktop right click (or Control click) the drive and select "Decrypt drive name" .. If your drives are not set to show on your desktop you can open Finder, Finder > Preferences .. Check the show box for External Disks.