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Question

FileVault activation fails

  • November 20, 2025
  • 5 replies
  • 49 views

bar_is99
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Hello,

we applied a FileVault policy, and it worked on every MacBook except one. We’re not receiving the FileVault key from that device, and the user keeps getting the policy pushed repeatedly.

I also made the policy available in Self Service, but even from there it doesn’t work.

What could be causing this issue?

5 replies

sdagley
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  • Jamf Heroes
  • November 20, 2025

@bar_is99  Policy triggered FileVault isn’t really recommended these days. You’ll find the Configuration Profile mechanism much more reliable


AJPinto
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  • Legendary Contributor
  • November 20, 2025

Dont use the policy to enable filevault, it uses the fdesetup command which is deprecated (still technically functions and is fine for local troubleshooting but dont build standards around using it). You should be using a configuration profile to enable filevault.

 

If using a configuration profile still fails to enable filevault, check the network configuration for the network the device is on as if it cant write the key back to Jamf it will fail to encrypt.


bar_is99
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  • Author
  • New Contributor
  • November 20, 2025

@sdagley

It appears both policies/configuration profiles are currently active. I will proceed with deactivating the redundant policy. I can see the MacBook listed in the configuration profile, but we do not possess the recovery key.

However, we have verified within the user's settings that FileVault is enabled, but nobody has the key.


bar_is99
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  • Author
  • New Contributor
  • November 20, 2025

@AJPinto alright, I will wait a bit and have a check on the network configurations afterwards. Thank you for the information.


sdagley
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  • Jamf Heroes
  • November 20, 2025

@bar_is99 If you need a way to force a re-escrow of the FV Recovery Key I’d recommend you take a look at the EscrowBuddy tool that Netflix developed: https://github.com/macadmins/escrow-buddy