How do I convert a Blob into an alphanumeric string and back?

Question

There's a Blob I generated by encrypting a certain string:

Blob data = Blob.valueOf('my string');
Blob encryptedData = Crypto.encryptWithManagedIV('AES256', cryptoKey, data);

Is there a way to convert the encryptedData Blob into an alphanumeric string? (something like "vl45v54vnk")
And then back to that same Blob?

I tried encryptedData.toString() and String.valueOf(encryptedData) - didn't work.

Answer 1

Use EncodingUtil.base64encode to convert to a String, and base64decode to get back to a Blob.