How to Open Bitlocker Encrypted USB Drive on Another Computer

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Unlock a Bitlocker encrypted USB

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Last Updated: January 10, 2025

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• Opening the USB Drive on Another Windows Computer
|
• Opening the USB Drive on a macOS Computer
|
• Tips

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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.

Quick Steps

1. Connect the USB drive to the computer.
2. Click More options.
3. Click Enter recovery key.
4. Enter the recovery key.
5. Click Unlock.

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Opening the USB Drive on Another Windows Computer

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1. 
   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. 
   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. 
   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.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Opening the USB Drive on a macOS Computer

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1. 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. 
   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. 
   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. 
   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. 
   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.
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Tips

• You may find that there is no Bitlocker encryption in Windows 10 Home, Windows 7 Starter, and Windows 7 Home computer, but don’t worry, the Bitlocker-encrypted USB still can be opened normally with the steps above.
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