You can also use disk image files as one method to securely delete files and folders on your Mac. To close and lock the disk image, right-click on the disk image’s icon on the desktop and select Eject. Move any files and folders you want to securely store into your new disk image file. Type your password when prompted and click OK or press Enter. In Finder, go to where you saved your disk image file and double-click on it. Open, or Mount, Your Secure Disk Image File Then, click Choose or press Enter.Ĭlick Done on the progress dialog box once the operation is successful.

You’ll have to enter this password to open the disk image.Įnter your password in the Password box and again in the Verify box. When you select an Encryption method, a dialog box automatically displays asking you to assign a password to the disk image. But if you want your vault to be more secure, select 256-bit AES encryption. Apple recommends the 128-bit AES encryption choice because it makes the disk image very secure, without being too slow. To encrypt the disk image, select an Encryption method. Leave the Format as Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Type a space after the number in the Size box and then type KB, MB, GB, or TB.

Select where to save the disk image file, enter a Name, and specify the Size for the disk image file. Be sure to keep the “.dmg” at the end of the file name. To create an encrypted disk image file, go to Applications > Utilities in Finder and double-click Disk Utility.Įnter a name for the disk image in the Save As box on the dialog box that displays. Today we’ll show you how to create your own disk image file using the built-in Disk Utility app and use the disk image file to securely store files and folders. dmg files can be stored on your Mac and anywhere like Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, or on an external drive.

Mac disk image from drive