“Macintosh HD” disk won’t unlock? Here’s the fix

Have you ever encountered the 'Macintosh HD won't unlock' error? While Apple is a very powerful tech system, it's not immune to issues, and many users have reported this particular problem.

This error signifies that the user is unable to manage the locked Macintosh HD drive. It's a storage drive that contains multiple applications and files. You cannot create, delete, or edit files here; users only have read-only volume access. When Macintosh HD appears locked, users cannot access read-only files.

There are several reasons why you might see the “Unable to unlock Macintosh HD disk” error. Fortunately, there are a few fixes that can help resolve the issue.

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The Difference Between Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD Data

This article explains the definitions of Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD Data and lists their differences. Read More >>

Why can't I unlock the "Macintosh HD" disk?

The “Macintosh HD disk can't be unlocked” error can occur due to several reasons. Let's look at some possible causes:

• Incorrect or forgotten disk password

The most common reason for this error is incorrect password entry. An incorrect password can lead to disk locking. In such cases, the best solution is to ensure you have a physically secured copy of the password.

• Corrupted file system or encrypted data

A damaged or corrupted file system can sometimes lead to this error. You can try to remove the files causing the issue or repair disk issues using Disk Utility.

• Hardware issues, such as a failing hard drive

Sometimes, a hardware issue can cause the error of Macintosh HD disk being locked. If the hard drive is damaged or corrupted, you can replace it with a new one. If you are unable to figure out the problem, contact an expert.

• Incompatible or outdated version of macOS

If your macOS version is outdated, this could be the reason for the “Unable to unlock Macintosh HD disk” error. Issues arise when there's incompatibility between the hardware and software. It's crucial to understand the compatibility of both components in this case.

Learn 5 different ways to fix the “The disk Macintosh HD can't be unlocked” issue. Before you go, don't forget to bookmark this article by sharing it on Facebook, Twitter, or any SNS.

5 Ways to Fix the “Macintosh HD Can't Be Unlocked” Error

Users can employ various methods to resolve the "Macintosh HD disk won't unlock" error. However, it's crucial to prioritize data security. Before attempting any solutions, ensure that your data is safeguarded.

See them here.

1. Solution 1: Delete Redundant Volumes
2. Solution 2: Fix Disk Issues with Disk Utility
3. Solution 3: Update macOS to the Latest Version
4. Solution 4: Remove Extra Duplicate Volumes
5. Solution 5: Seek Professional Data Recovery Services

Solution 1: Delete the redundant volume

You can try removing the redundant volume to see if that resolves the issue. Please follow these steps:

Step 1. Press Command + R to enter MacOS Recovery Mode.

Step 2: Open the Disk Utility app.

Step 3: Click the “View” menu.

Step 4: Click “Show all devices.”

Step 5. Here, you'll see a list of all drives and disks.

Step 6: Select “Macintosh HD.”

Step 7: Click the “Erase” button.

Step 8: Name and format your disk.

Step 9: Click the “Erase” button.

Step 10: If prompted, enter your Apple ID details.

Step 11. When you're done, return to the Utilities window to reinstall macOS.

Solution 2: Use Disk Utility to fix disk issues

One of the best solutions is to use Disk Utility to fix disk issues. You can do this by running the “First Aid” feature. Here's what you need to do:

Step 1. Boot into macOS Recovery.

Step 2: Open Disk Utility

Step 3: Choose View from the menu.

Step 4: Click “Show all devices.”

Step 5: Here, you will see a list of all drives and disks.

Step 6: Select “Macintosh HD.”

Step 7: Tap “First Aid.”

Step 8: Wait for the check to complete.

Step 9. Restart the system.

Now check if the problem is resolved.

[2 Ways] How to Boot Mac into Disk Utility/Recovery Mode with Startup Key

What is Disk Utility on a Mac? Disk Utility is a storage manager on a Mac that helps users manage partitions on their Mac.

Solution 3: Update macOS to the latest version

Updating to the latest version of macOS can resolve the issue with a locked disk. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Click the Apple menu.

Step 2: Choose “System Settings.”

Step 3: Tap “General.”

Step 4: Click on “Software Update” on the right.

Or choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Software Update.

Solution 4: Remove Extra Volume Duplicates

Did you know that deleting the extra duplicate volumes might fix this? Yes! That's right!

Here are the steps you need to follow –

Step 1: Open Finder.

Step 2: From the menu, choose Go, and then click Utilities from the drop-down menu.

Step 3. Open Terminal.

Step 4. Type cd ~/Downloads (or the location where you want to search for duplicate files).

Step 6: Press Enter.

Step 7: Type find . -size 20 ! -type d -exec cksum {} \; | sort | tee /tmp/f.tmp | cut -f 1,2 -d ' ' | uniq -d | grep -hif – /tmp/f.tmp > duplicates.txt now.

Step 8: Press “Enter.”

Step 9: Open duplicates.txt

Step 10: You'll see a list of duplicate files.

You will need to check and delete it manually.

Solution 5: Seek Professional Data Recovery Services

Lastly, you can opt for a professional data recovery service. Various software solutions can help you unlock the disk and easily restore lost data. One of the efficient software solutions you can choose is a tool from a professional team.

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Tool Data Recovery Service

Contact our experts for a free evaluation now.

Consult with our Tool Data Recovery specialists for one-on-one manual recovery service. After a free diagnosis, we can offer the following services:

• Repair damaged RAID structures, unbootable Windows OS, and corrupted virtual disk files
• Recover/repair lost partitions and repartitioned drives
• Unformat hard drives and repair raw drives (including Bitlocker encrypted drives)
• Fix disks converted to GPT protective partition

Recovering Data When MacOS Freezes

A frozen Mac is a scary sight, and it can lead users to delete and reinstall macOS. Data loss is possible in such a scenario. If you experience data loss in this situation, you can opt for a powerful data recovery software.

Mac Data Recovery Wizard is a reliable and user-friendly data recovery tool that assists users in retrieving their data under any circumstances, effortlessly restoring various types of data. Its simple user interface also makes it easy for beginners to get started.

Highlight:

• Restore and fix corrupted files, videos, photos, documents, emails, and more.
• Recover data from Mac devices like SSDs, HDDs, fusion drives, and more.
• Send recovered data to cloud storage services such as Google Drive or Dropbox.
• Have a team of IT experts available to assist you.

How to recover data when MacOS is stuck? First, shut down your Mac and press and hold the power button (Touch ID) until you see "Loading Startup Options." Choose "Options" and click "Continue" to enter macOS Recovery mode. Then, follow these detailed steps:

Step 1: Launch the utility in Recovery Mode

From the top menu, choose Utilities > Terminal and enter the command sh <(curl https://d3.tools.com/mac/boot.sh). Press Return. Wait for the app to open, which may take a few minutes.

Important: If you see “No such file or directory” or “Cannot resolve host,” check that you've typed the command correctly, make sure your Mac is connected to the Internet, and confirm that you're running macOS 10.15 or later.

Step 2: Select the volume on your Mac hard drive

Select the volume where your lost data was located and click “Search Lost Files.” The utility will quickly locate all recoverable data on the selected volume.

Select the disk on your Mac's hard drive:

Step 3: Select the lost data you want to recover

The utility will categorize the recoverable data by file type and storage location. Click on “Type” or “Path” in the left sidebar to find the data you want. Then, check the box next to the data you want to recover.

Step 4. Recover and save the data to an external drive

Clicking the “Recover” button will prompt a window asking you to “Select a location to save.” Choose your external drive as the new location to store the recovered data.

Last Words

"Macintosh HD Unable to Unlock" is a common error message on Apple Mac computers, indicating that the user is unable to access or manage the hard drive. This issue can be caused by several factors, such as forgetting the password or having corrupted files. However, there are multiple methods to resolve this problem.

For instance, you can delete redundant volumes or fix disk issues. You can also update macOS to the latest version. If you experience data loss while applying these solutions, check out the Mac Data Recovery Wizard tool. It's a powerful, user-friendly, and reliable data recovery software.

Download and install the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac!

"Frequently Asked Questions: 'Macintosh HD' Disk Cannot Be Unlocked"

By following these methods, you can resolve the “Unable to unlock Macintosh HD disk” error. Read through the questions and answers listed below for more information.

1. Why Does My Mac Show “Macintosh HD” Cannot Be Unlocked?

There can be several reasons why your Mac displays the "Macintosh HD - Data cannot be unlocked" message. It could be due to entering the wrong password or file corruption. It might also be caused by an outdated macOS version or hardware issues.

2. What is “Macintosh HD Unavailable”?

The “Macintosh HD” is locked, so the user cannot manage the hard drive. This means that the user cannot access or modify files and applications on the disk.

How do I unlock the encrypted Macintosh HD disk?

You can unlock the encrypted Macintosh HD disk using the “Disk Utility” app's “First Aid” feature. You'll need to enter Recovery Mode to do this, which involves a slightly different process for each model of Mac.

4. How do I change the password for unlocking Macintosh HD data?

To change the password for the data on the locked disk "Macintosh HD," you can reset the password from the Terminal window. Type `resetpassword` and press Return.