How to Open Bitlocker Encrypted USB Drive on Another Computer

Last Updated: August 11, 2022

Opening the USB Drive on Another Windows Computer

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Opening the USB Drive on a macOS Computer

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Tips

Have you encrypted your USB drive with Windows Bitlocker and now want to use it on another computer? The good news is that you can open a Bitlocker-encrypted USB drive on any other Windows or macOS computer, so long as you have the password or recovery key.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Opening the USB Drive on Another Windows Computer

1
Connect Bitlocker USB drive to the Windows computer.
- Insert the Bitlocker-encrypted USB drive into the Windows computer. When you connect the encrypted USB drive to computer, you will be prompted: “This drive is Bitlocker-protected”. The USB drive is not accessible before it is unlocked.
2
Unlock the Bitlocker USB drive with your password.
- Double-click on the Bitlocker-encrypted USB drive, type in your password in the text box, and click on Unlock button.
- The USB drive is now unlocked and accessible.
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3
Unlock the Bitlocker-encrypted USB drive with the recovery key.
- Double-click on the Bitlocker-encrypted USB drive, click on More options, and then click on Enter recovery key.
- Type in the 48-digit recovery key and click on Unlock.
- You will find the USB drive is unlocked and accessible.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Opening the USB Drive on a macOS Computer

1
Download macOS Bitlocker Reader. Bitlocker is not supported on macOS computers, so you can’t open it normally. You will need to download a third-party application.
- When you connect the Bitlocker-encrypted USB drive to a macOS computer, you will get the prompt message saying: “You can’t open the “BitlockerToGo.exe” because Microsoft Windows applications are not supported on macOS”.
2
Install macOS Bitlocker Reader on Mac.
- Double-click on “cocosenor-macos-bitlocker-reader.pkg” file to begin the installation process.
- On the Install macOS Bitlocker Reader screen, click on Continue >> Install.
- Type in your Mac password and click on “Install Software” to allow this program to install.
3
Connect the USB drive to the Mac computer.
- Launch macOS Bitlocker Reader on Mac.
- Connect the Bitlocker-encrypted USB disk to your Mac.
- On the macOS Bitlocker Reader screen, select the Bitlocker USB drive, and then click on “Unlock”.
4
Unlock the Bitlocker-encrypted USB drive.
- Type in the password for the Bitlocker disk or use the recovery key file.
- Click on Mount. You will find the Bitlocker-encrypted USB drive is unlocked on the Mac computer.
5
Allow macOS Bitlocker Reader to run on Mac.
- After clicking on Mount, the "System Extension Blocked" message box may pop up. Please Click on the “Open System Preferences” button. This will open the Security & Privacy screen.
- Finally click on the “Allow” button to allow macOS Bitlocker Reader app run on your Mac.