Home > Questions

Can I use FileVault and BitLocker on the same Mac?

I'm curious regarding the viability of using FileVault on my OS X partition and Bitlocker on my bootcamp partition. I have tried this previously with apparent success on Windows 8.1 and today tried again with Windows 10, using EFI installation. I first activated FileVault prior to installing Windows 10 in Bootcamp. Then once Windows 10 was installed I activated Bitlocker. Both partitions boot and report being encrypted, but I've seen older web descriptions stating that the MBR must be modified to make this setup work, or that Windows must be installed first.

Best Answered by

Amanda Wong

Answered on Monday, April 29, 2024

The answer is YES. You can encrypt the macOS partition with FileVault and encrypt the Windows/BootCamp partition with BitLocker on the same Mac.

macOS provides Boot Camp Assistant on Intel Mac to enable you to install Windows on Mac. After you create a Windows partition on the Mac hard drive, you can enable BitLocker to protect the BootCamp partition and turn on FileVault to protect the macOS partition.

The steps to use FileVault and BitLocker on the same Mac:

  1. Back up the Mac to avoid data loss.
  2. Clean install macOS Ventura.
  3. Use Boot Camp to install Windows. 
  4. Boot into macOS and enable FileVault. 
  5. Switch to Windows and enable BitLocker (without a TPM option).