Will Apple ever add native folder locking on macOS?

[Mac Fly (film)]

Similar to how individual apps on the home screen in iOS 18 and later can be set to "Require Face ID", when will Apple add the option to "Require Touch ID or Password" to open specific folders on Mac (and for the Files app). Such a native built-in feature, not as a third party workaround, is warranted and would be very handy for macOS. It could make sharing Macs simpler (no need to even switch users) and provide that bit of reassurance for sensitive information. Could equally be added on macOS for opening individual apps. Wonder why they never did.

 

[ifxf]

Maybe because MacOS supports multiple users and you can restrict viewing of certain folders and files from other users.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Maybe because MacOS supports multiple users and you can restrict viewing of certain folders and files from other users.

I'm aware, but the feature should still be added to beef up security for specific folders. When it comes to folders most aren't so private, but some would be. The same goes for apps. This would prevent deliberate snooping, accidental leaks and unintentional gleans. Perhaps most importantly it would provide peace of mind.

 

[hg.wells]

You can create password protected disk images. The only challenge with those is you need to define the image size when you create them.

 

[russell_314]

All folders are password or Touch ID protected on macOS. You can’t access anything without logging on first.

I know what you’re saying, but my point is you shouldn’t give someone access to your computer that could have nefarious intent. I know a lot of people are married so that’s kind of a difficult standard to achieve.

In this theoretical scenario where macOS allowed password protecting folders, it most likely would be the same password used to log into the account. If they can get into your account, then they can get into those folders..

If there was a way to make an alternate password or touch ID for the specific folders in macOS, I wouldn’t trust it. Normally on an operating system, the administrator can override anything.

Something like this would be better off served with a third-party encryption tool. It’s not part of the OS therefore it can be overridden by the OS.

 

[Cobalt Blizzard]

I use VeraCrypt containers for that purpose.

 

[Comfortably Numb]

You can create password protected disk images. The only challenge with those is you need to define the image size when you create them.

You can actually create sparse images. They don't allocate the full disk space. The grow as needed up to the maxiumum size you define.

 

[chabig]

And sparse files are getting better in Tahoe:

macOS Tahoe brings a new disk image format

ASIF disk images are new in Tahoe, and promise to be space efficient, as they’re sparse files, and almost as fast as the disk they’re stored on. Ideal for VMs and general use.

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