Does FileVault take up disk space? No, and here is how to check
FileVault encrypts your disk without making files larger or reserving space. What it costs, what it does not, and how to see whether it is on.
If you are short of space, it is fair to wonder whether encryption is costing some of it. It is not. FileVault encrypts the data where it already is. Files are the same size encrypted as they were before.
What FileVault costs
| Resource | Cost on a current Mac |
|---|---|
| Disk space | None that you would notice |
| Speed on Apple silicon and T2 Macs | None noticeable, done in hardware |
| Speed on older Intel Macs | Small, and only on very old models |
| Startup | You unlock the disk with your password at login |
On Apple silicon Macs, the internal disk is always encrypted in hardware. Turning FileVault on adds the requirement that your password unlocks it, rather than changing how data is stored.
Check whether it is on
fdesetup statusOr look in System Settings, Privacy and Security, FileVault.
Turning it off does not free space
Some old advice suggests turning FileVault off to gain space or speed. On any recent Mac it gains neither, and it makes a lost or stolen Mac easier to read. Leave it on.
Deleting files securely is a separate question, covered in emptying the Trash securely.
Common questions
Does FileVault take up storage space?
No. It encrypts data in place, and files stay the same size. There is no space reserved for it.
Does FileVault slow down a Mac?
Not noticeably on Apple silicon or Intel Macs with a T2 chip, which encrypt in hardware. Only very old Intel Macs see a small effect.
How do I check if FileVault is on?
Run fdesetup status in Terminal, or look in System Settings, Privacy and Security, FileVault.