Can’t install on this volume because it’s encrypted.

If you encounter the error message “You can't install on this volume because it's currently encrypted” on your Mac, it can be frustrating and confusing, leaving you wondering about the cause and the solution.

This volume is currently encrypted, and you cannot install to it.

This article will delve into the reasons behind encryption, discuss possible solutions, and guide you through the process of data recovery from an encrypted hard drive. Whether you're facing this issue or simply want to learn more about Mac encryption, this guide will provide the knowledge you need.

How to Encrypt Hard Drive on Mac with 2 Reliable Ways

Are you worried about the important data on your Mac hard drive being stolen? This is especially applicable if you store sensitive information on the system.

Why is my Mac volume encrypted?

When you see the message "You can't install on this volume because it's currently being encrypted," it indicates that the volume on your Mac is going through the encryption process. Here are a few common reasons for this:

Reason 1: Encryption software is installed on the computer

If you have encryption software like FileVault installed on your Mac, your disk is automatically encrypted to protect your data.

Updating the Mac's operating system, especially to a new version, may initiate encryption as part of the security enhancements.

Reason three: Other crypto reasons

Manually encrypting a volume or configuring security settings to enable encryption also triggers the encryption process.

Reason 4: Malware or security threat

Sometimes, malware or a security threat might encrypt your Mac volume without your knowledge or consent.

Reason 5: The encryption process is stuck

Sometimes, for various reasons, the encryption process can become stuck or interrupted, causing an error message that prevents you from installing to that volume.

Understanding these reasons will help diagnose the cause of encryption, and point to appropriate remedies.

How to Repair an Encrypted Volume on a Mac

If you encounter an installation error message because of encryption, there are several ways to resolve the issue. Here are four possible solutions:

1. Solution 1: Wait for Encryption to Complete
2. Solution 2: Decrypt the Volume
3. Solution 3: Temporarily Disable Encryption
4. Solution 4: Create a New Volume for Installation

Solution 1: Wait for the encryption process to finish

The best thing to do is to be patient and wait for the encryption process to finish. Depending on the size of the disk and the amount of data, this can take quite some time. You can monitor the progress through the Disk Utility on your Mac or an encryption status indicator in the encryption software you're using.

Solution 2: Decrypt the volume

Step 1: If necessary, you can decrypt the disk immediately to continue with the installation.

Step 2: Launch the Disk Utility application, which you can find in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder.

Step 3: Select the encrypted volume from the sidebar, and then click the File menu.

Step 4: From the drop-down menu, select “Decrypt [Volume Name],” and then begin decryption following the on-screen instructions.

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Solution 3: Disable encryption temporarily

If you want to install macOS on an encrypted volume without decrypting it, you can temporarily disable encryption.

Step 1. Click the "Apple menu" > "System Settings" > "Privacy & Security" in the sidebar.

Step 2: Select File Vault and click Turn Off Encryption.

Solution 4: Create a new volume for the installation

If none of the above options work, or if you want to keep your existing encrypted volume, you can create a new volume for the installation.

Step 2: Open the Disk Utility app.

Step 3: In the sidebar, select the encrypted volume, and then click the “Partition” tab.

4. Tap the “+” button beneath Volume Layout to create a new partition.

Step 5. Configure the partition size and other settings as needed.

Step 6: After creating the partition, you can install macOS on the new volume.

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These solutions should help you address the issue with installing an encrypted volume on your Mac. However, it's important to note that decrypting or disabling encryption might compromise your data security. Proceed with caution and ensure you have appropriate backups before making any changes.

How to Recover Data From an Encrypted Mac Hard Drive

In case of data loss due to encryption or any other reason, you can use the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac tool to help you recover deleted files on Mac. This powerful data recovery software supports the latest macOS Ventura and offers multiple intelligent solutions for data recovery. With Data Recovery Wizard for Mac, you can restore deleted, formatted, or inaccessible files from both internal and external hard drives.

Mac Data Recovery Wizard boasts a user-friendly interface and advanced scanning algorithms, ensuring a high success rate in data recovery. Its key features and highlights include:

• ✅Deep Scan: Conducts an extensive scan to restore Mac partitions even in the most challenging data loss scenarios.
• ✅Preview Option: Allows you to preview recoverable files before starting the recovery process, saving time and effort.
• ✅Selective Recovery: Offers flexibility to choose specific files or file types for recovery, minimizing recovery time.
• ✅Supports Various File Formats: Recovers a wide range of file formats, including documents, photos, videos, audio files, archives, and more.

To know more about the Mac Data Recovery Wizard tool and download the software, follow these steps:

Note: You can create a backup by clicking "Disk Backup" on the left first. You can then restore data from the backup image when the disk is damaged or data on the disk is accidentally deleted or lost.

Step one: Choose the location.

Select the disk from which you lost data after upgrading to macOS Sonoma/Ventura/Monterey/Big Sur, and then click “Search Lost Files.”

Step 2: Look for the Lost Data after Scanning

Data Recovery Wizard immediately scans the disk volume you select and displays the results on the left. You can search for the needed data on your Mac by file type and file path.

Step 3: Recover data after updating macOS

Select the target files that were accidentally lost during or after the update, and click “Recover” to get them all back.

Final Thoughts

In summary, encountering the error message "You can't install on this volume because it's currently encrypted" on your Mac can be frustrating. However, by understanding the reason behind the encryption process and applying the appropriate solutions, you can resolve the issue.

Moreover, if you experience data loss during encryption, the Mac Data Recovery Wizard is an excellent tool to help you get your valuable files back. We recommend this reliable data recovery software to Mac users in need of assistance in locating and effectively restoring lost files.

"Frequently Asked Questions: 'Cannot install to the volume because it is being encrypted' 1. Question: Why do I receive the error message 'Cannot install to the volume because it is being encrypted'? Answer: This error typically indicates that you're attempting to install software or files on a disk or partition that is currently undergoing encryption. The encryption could be performed by built-in file system encryption tools, such as macOS's FileVault or Windows's BitLocker. 2. Question: How can I tell if my disk is being encrypted? Answer: You can check your operating system settings. In macOS, go to 'System Preferences' > 'Security & Privacy' > 'FileVault'. In Windows, navigate to 'Control Panel' > 'All Control Panel Items' > 'BitLocker Drive Encryption'. 3. Question: Can I install software during the encryption process? Answer: No, you need to wait for the encryption process to finish. Try installing after encryption is complete. 4. Question: What happens if I don't wait for encryption to finish? Answer: Attempting to install during encryption could result in data loss, installation failure, or system instability. It's best to wait until encryption is done. 5. Question: How can I speed up the encryption process? Answer: It depends on various factors, including disk size and computer performance. Make sure no other high-resource-consuming tasks are running while encrypting to speed things up. 6. Question: Can I cancel the encryption and install immediately? Answer: If you don't need the disk to be encrypted, you can cancel the process, but be aware of the potential security risks this entails. Once canceled, you can proceed with the installation. 7. Question: Is there a quick solution if I have an urgent need? Answer: If time is of the essence, you might consider using an unencrypted temporary storage space for installation or moving the installation files outside the encrypted volume. However, this depends on your specific needs and situation.

Here are 4 additional questions with solutions for the “You can't install to this volume because it's currently being encrypted” issue. Click here to view the answers.

1. What does it mean that your Mac has been encrypted?

When your Mac is being encrypted, it means that the disks or volumes on your Mac are undergoing a process where data is transformed into an encrypted format. This is typically done to enhance data security and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.

2. How to Unlock an Encrypted Disk on Mac?

To unlock an encrypted disk on a Mac, follow these steps:

1. Step 1. Open the Disk Utility app on your Mac.
2. Step 2. Select the encrypted disk from the sidebar.
3. Step 3. Click the "File" menu and choose "Unlock [Disk Name]."
4. Step 4. Enter the password associated with the encrypted disk, then click "Unlock."

How do I install macOS on an encrypted disk?

To install macOS on an encrypted disk, you can start the installation after the encryption process completes, or create a new volume for the installation as described in Solution 1 or Solution 4 of Part 3.

4) What does “full disk encryption” mean?

When a volume is encrypted, the data stored on it is transformed into an encrypted format that can only be accessed with a decryption key. This encryption process prevents unauthorized access, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of the data.