Do I have to disable FileVault on Sierra to clean install High Sierra?

[SRLMJ23]

I am just getting ready for when High Sierra is officially released and am wondering if I have to disable FileVault on my current Sierra setup to do a clean install of High Sierra. The reason I am a little confused on this is because of the new APFS file system. From what I have read, there is APFS and APFS Encrypted.

Usually this is not an issue because I never enabled FileVault, however, I did on macOS Sierra. Usually I just completely format my drive and install the new OS, like going from Yosemite to Sierra. I just do not know if doing a clean install from Sierra to High Sierra is possible with FileVault enabled.

I would truly appreciate any help or tips on this issue with FileVault. I just want to be prepared when Apple releases macOS High Sierra to the public, so I can get it on my MacBook Pro without any issues.

Thank you so much in advance for your help!

 

[TokMok3]

I have the same question as well. I hope somebody can help.

 

[SRLMJ23]

I do not like to do this, however, bump.

 

[csicilia]

I had the same doubt and I installed the beta 9 in a Parallels VM that previously had FileVault activated, after the installation it remained with FileVault and partition converted to Encrypted APFS. If after the High Sierra installation I deactivate FileVault it also change to APFS NO encrypted.

 

[Mighuel]

I just put the latest High Sierra beta on my Macbook and it simply converted my file system to APFS encrypted. Everything went smoothly. However after the installation finished I decided to check my newly converted drive with Disk Utility and it froze completely. I waited quite a few minutes and then force rebooted the machine. Everything seemed to work okay and this time Disk Utility also ran flawlessly. Has anyone else experienced this problem?

 

[LarryJoe33]

APFS Encrypted and FileVault are different. My advice (from experience), don't use FileVault and definitely don't enable it in High Sierra. For me, I store nothing locally, all my files are stored in iCloud. If my MBP were stolen, I would blow it away remotely. I would change my vault password manager password. I can't think of any other risks. I will probably try APFS encrypted at some point. Not a fan of FileVault, it presents more issues than it's worth.

 

[Crash0veride]

You can wipe and do a clean install. If you use disk utility in the installer to wipe the disk it may ask you for the password to mount the volume. I wouldn't use a mobile computer without encryption. Remote delete is a nice feature, but it only works if the device is connects to the internet.

 

[LarryJoe33]

You can wipe and do a clean install. If you use disk utility in the installer to wipe the disk it may ask you for the password to mount the volume. I wouldn't use a mobile computer without encryption. Remote delete is a nice feature, but it only works if the device is connects to the internet.

I value your input. Would you recommend drive encryption or FileVault or both?

 

[Crash0veride]

I value your input. Would you recommend drive encryption or FileVault or both?

FileVault is just a GUI front in for the apfs or hfs encryption to make it more user friendly, at least that has always been my understanding. That and manages encrypting a drive that’s booted. I’ve used FileVault since it was released and never had an issue, but I know some people seem to have problems with it. It’s just an easy way to add a good amount of security for little effort, but always a lot further you can take it.

Wouldn’t use a mobile comp without is also a strong way to put it, but I would much rather use it if I could and it’s pretty easy windows and Mac side now a days to use it.

 

[LarryJoe33]

FileVault is just a GUI front in for the apfs or hfs encryption to make it more user friendly, at least that has always been my understanding. That and manages encrypting a drive that’s booted. I’ve used FileVault since it was released and never had an issue, but I know some people seem to have problems with it. It’s just an easy way to add a good amount of security for little effort, but always a lot further you can take it.

Wouldn’t use a mobile comp without is also a strong way to put it, but I would much rather use it if I could and it’s pretty easy windows and Mac side now a days to use it.

I'll cross my fingers and give FileVault another shot after High Sierra goes live. Ido worry about my MBP getting stolen.

 

[Weaselboy]

I'll cross my fingers and give FileVault another shot after High Sierra goes live. Ido worry about my MBP getting stolen.

I'm with Crash on this... I would turn on FV for sure once it looks like it is stable on High Sierra. I remember your earlier posts and I think you just got bit by the beta blues.

 

[LarryJoe33]

I'm with Crash on this... I would turn on FV for sure once it looks like it is stable on High Sierra. I remember your earlier posts and I think you just got bit by the beta blues.

That definitely has a lot to do with it. I will turn it on, as soon as the GM is released, because if I do it now and it takes a week to encrypt my drive, I won't be able to do anything until it is done.

 

[ErnstStavroBlohard]

Not a fan of FileVault, it presents more issues than it's worth.

What's wrong with it?

 

[nutmac]

I value your input. Would you recommend drive encryption or FileVault or both?

I had nothing but the trouble with APFS Encrypted with FileVault. On the last beta, I clean installed with FileVault turned on and I got file corruption and Disk Utility freezing (as well as running fsck from single user mode). I would not risk my data with FileVault, even if it means compromising my data if my computer is stolen.

 

[NazgulRR]

I've a similar question to OP, but I want to do an upgrade, not a clean install. Should I turn off FileVault prior to upgrade to High Sierra?

 

[NazgulRR]

I've a similar question to OP, but I want to do an upgrade, not a clean install. Should I turn off FileVault prior to upgrade to High Sierra?

I can confirm I upgraded Sierra with enabled FileVault to High Sierra GM Candidate tonight and Disk Utility is reporting APFS (Encrypted). So far so good.

 

[caramelpolice]

I updated my 2016 15" MBP to the GM candidate with FileVault enabled. No issues so far - shows as APFS (Encrypted) and works as expected.