MacBook Pro M5 with Tahoe 26.1 Doesn't allow FileVault enable

After initial setup last week of New MacBook Pro with M5 and Tahoe - went to File_Vault and it was not enabled (I thought Default was enable). I clicked on enable button, it asked for administrator info then button turned blue for about 2 seconds then back to gray. I was running 26.0 - next day updated to 26.0.1 and tried again - went blue for 2 seconds then back to gray. Yesterday I got notice that 26.1 was available and updated - still can't get FileVault to enable - any actions I can take to allow enable - do I have to set-up the M5 fresh again from my external hard drive ?

MacBook Pro (M5, 2025)

Posted on Nov 5, 2025 11:08 AM

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2 replies

Nov 7, 2025 1:12 PM in response to benito184

I would prefer not so set-up again from external drive - that took 2 days - but I would like to get FileVault Enabled

Are you starting up from an external drive? If so, I would surmise that FileVault won’t work when started up from an external drive, but I don’t know for certain.

I couldn’t find anything to confirm or deny that assertion. I only found a Reddit post asking the same question without an answer.

MacBook Pro M5 with Tahoe 26.1 Doesn't allow FileVault enable

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