Decrypt and recover a FileVault-encrypted Mac with APFS

To decrypt and recover the user's FileVault-encrypted Mac:

  1. Show the disk volumes on the Mac. Run this command.

    diskutil apfs list

    The volume to recover is the OS Volume. It has a name similar to disk2s1.

  2. Run this command.

    diskutil apfs unlockVolume <Diskname> -passphrase <personal recovery key>

    The volume is now unlocked.

  3. Get the list of apfs cryptousers. Run:

    diskutil apfs listcryptousers <Diskname>

    For example:

    diskutil apfs listcryptousers disk2s1

    For a local user, select the UUID of the user that has Type: Local Open Directory User

  4. Decrypt the volume. Run:

    diskutil apfs decryptVolume <diskname> -user <user UUID>

  5. Enter the password of the local user
  6. To monitor the progress of the decryption, run:

    diskutil apfs list