How to Read a BitLocker Drive on Your Mac – Step-by-Step Guide

If you've tried connecting a BitLocker-encrypted drive to your Mac, you probably noticed that macOS can't read it by default. BitLocker is a disk encryption feature developed by Microsoft for Windows, and macOS does not support it natively. Fortunately, there are safe and effective ways to access a BitLocker drive on a Mac using third-party tools.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to read a BitLocker-encrypted USB drive, SSD, or external hard drive on macOS with ease.

What Is BitLocker Encryption?

BitLocker is a full-volume encryption tool built into Windows Pro and Enterprise editions. It protects your data from unauthorized access by encrypting the entire drive. To open a BitLocker drive, you usually need a password or recovery key.

Since Apple’s macOS doesn’t include built-in support for BitLocker, trying to open such a drive without additional software will result in a message like:

"The disk you inserted was not readable by this computer."

Can macOS Read BitLocker Drives Natively?

No. macOS cannot read or write to BitLocker-encrypted drives natively. You’ll need to use third-party software to decrypt and access your data.

How to Read a BitLocker Drive on Mac

Here are the steps to unlock and read a BitLocker drive on macOS:

1. Use a Third-Party BitLocker Reader for Mac

Several reputable applications allow Mac users to access BitLocker drives. The most popular options include:

iBoysoft BitLocker Reader for Mac

Hasleo BitLocker Anywhere for Mac

M3 BitLocker Loader for Mac

All of these tools allow you to unlock, read, and copy files from a BitLocker-encrypted drive using your password or recovery key.

2. Install and Launch the Software

After downloading one of the BitLocker reader tools above:

Install the application on your Mac.

Open the program, and grant necessary disk access permissions if prompted.

Connect your BitLocker-encrypted USB, external hard drive, or SSD.

3. Unlock the BitLocker Drive

Once your drive appears in the application:

Select it.

Enter your BitLocker password or recovery key.

Click Mount or Unlock.

The software will then decrypt the drive and mount it so you can browse and copy files.

4. Access Your Files

Once mounted, your drive will appear in Finder, and you can open, copy, or move files as needed. Please note that most third-party BitLocker apps for Mac are read-only, meaning you cannot write files back to the encrypted drive unless you purchase the full version or use an advanced tool.

Is It Safe to Use BitLocker on Mac?

Yes, as long as you're using trusted software from reputable vendors. Always download from the official website to avoid malware. Tools like iBoysoft and Hasleo have been around for years and support macOS Ventura, Monterey, and earlier versions.

Can I Remove BitLocker Encryption from a Drive on Mac?

To remove BitLocker encryption, you'll need access to a Windows PC. macOS cannot decrypt or disable BitLocker. Simply connect the drive to a Windows machine, unlock it, and turn off BitLocker via Control Panel > BitLocker Drive Encryption.

Final Thoughts

While macOS doesn't support BitLocker by default, using third-party software lets you safely unlock and access encrypted drives. Whether you're transferring data between Windows and Mac, or just need temporary access to files, tools like iBoysoft and Hasleo make the process simple.