How to lock a folder on mac with password without disk utility?

Using GnuPG (GPG) to lock a folder on Mac is a good free option if you're comfortable with command-line tools and encryption concepts. It allows you to encrypt individual files or entire folders, making them unreadable without a password or passphrase.

How GnuPG Works for Folder Locking:

• You encrypt files or folders, which then require a decryption key or passphrase to open.
• You don't create a transparent "mountable" folder like a disk image; instead, you encrypt files and decrypt when needed.
• It's secure and free, but requires some command-line operations.

How to Lock a Folder on Mac?
1. Install GPGTools
2. Encrypt Files or Folders
To encrypt a folder, you'll typically encrypt the contents (files) inside it, or the entire folder as a compressed archive.
Example:
First, compress the folder:

zip -r PrivateFolder.zip /path/to/YourFolder

Then, encrypt the ZIP file:

gpg -c PrivateFolder.zip

The -c option creates a symmetric encrypted file, prompting you for a passphrase.
After encryption, you'll get PrivateFolder.zip.gpg.

3. Decrypt When Needed
To open the folder:

gpg -d PrivateFolder.zip.gpg > PrivateFolder.zip

Then unzip:

unzip PrivateFolder.zip