In this article, we explain how to proceed in the event you encounter an error message due to FileVault Encryption. You will have received a direct message about this from FixMeStick in the scan, or your scan may have completed very quickly, scanning very few files.
INDEX
Determining Your File System Type
HFS+ Macs Encrypted with FileVault
Factory Upgrading Your FixMeStick
APFS Macs Encrypted with FileVault
Factory Upgrading Your FixMeStick
Determining Your File System Type
Your Mac may have one of two possible types of filesystems; HFS+ or APFS. HFS+ has been replaced by APFS, the newest type of file system introduced with the release of MacOS High Sierra and Mojave. FixMeStick handles these two file systems differently when they are encrypted, so it will be helpful to know which file system your Mac has so you can proceed with the appropriate troubleshooting steps.
Please follow the steps below to determine which file system you have on your Mac:
1. Open your Finder from your dock:
2. Find Applications from the list on the left and locate Utilities:
3. From here, open Disk Utility:
4. If your Mac has the APFS file system, it will appear as below:
5. If your Mac has HFS+, it will appear as below:
HFS+ Macs Encrypted with FileVault
Once you’ve determined that your Mac has HFS+, you can follow the steps below to complete a FixMeStick scan.
Factory Upgrading Your FixMeStick
1. With your computer on and your FixMeStick plugged in, click here to download the factory upgrade.
If you are using Google Chrome, you will see the download appear in a toolbar at the bottom of your browser:
Otherwise, you can find the file in the Downloads folder in your Finder, found in your Dock.
2. Double-click on the download, which should then open this window:
3. Right-click on the FixMeStickFactoryUpgrade icon, click Open, and then allow the application to open by clicking Yes.
Note: Your security preferences may require that you enter your password.
4. Now wait for the download to complete. It can take up to several minutes.
5. Once the window shows that the factory upgrade has downloaded successfully, then shut your computer down and try starting a scan over from the beginning by following these steps.
Note: After restarting a scan you will be prompted to input your password for your FileVault encryption to continue. This password is administrator password (most likely the password you use to log in.)
If you have followed these steps and you are still unable to complete a FixMeStick scan, please continue with the instructions for “Turning Off FileVault.”
In some cases with HFS+ volumes, in order for the FixMeStick to be able to scan your files, you will need to turn off FileVault encryption. Follow these instructions to temporarily turn-off FileVault on your Mac. This can be turned back on after the scan.
1. Turn on your Mac without the FixMeStick plugged in.
2. Click on System Preferences in your Dock.
3. Click on Security and Privacy.
4. Click on the FileVault tab.
5. Click the lock button in the bottom-left corner, then enter the administrator name and password.
6. Click Turn Off FileVault.
7. After the drive has been decrypted, you can follow these steps to complete a FixMeStick scan.
You can turn FileVault back on after you have completed your scan by following these instructions.
APFS Macs with FileVault Encryption
Once you’ve determined that you have the APFS file system on your Mac, you can follow the steps below to complete a FixMeStick scan.
Factory Upgrading Your FixMeStick
1. With your computer on and your FixMeStick plugged in, click here to download the factory upgrade.
If you are using Google Chrome, you will see the download appear in a toolbar at the bottom of your browser:
Otherwise, you can find the file in the Downloads folder in your Finder, found in your Dock.
2. Double-click on the download, which should then open this window:
3. Right-click on the FixMeStickFactoryUpgrade icon, click Open, and then allow the application to open by clicking Yes.
Note: Your security preferences may require that you enter your password.
4. Now wait for the download to complete. It can take up to several minutes.
5. Once the window shows that the factory upgrade has downloaded successfully, then shut your computer down and try starting a scan over from the beginning by following these steps.
Note: After restarting a scan you will be prompted to input your password for your FileVault encryption to continue. This password is administrator password (most likely the password you use to log in.)
Once you have completed a successful scan, you will see a pop-up asking you to enter your email address to see your results. After doing so, you can click on Exit FixMeStick to shut down your computer, remove the FixMeStick and restart the computer normally. An email will be sent to you that shows the threats found during the scan along with instructions on how to remove them.