Starting a Time Machine Backup When Desired

Time Machine should normally be left running in automatic mode, giving you regular backups that cost you no mental effort.

You can initiate a Time Machine backup whenever you like, even if Time Machine is turned off: you can leave it turned off, and just backup whenever you choose instead. This might be preferred for some specific uses, such as with Adobe Lightroom. However, turning off Time Machine means you lose protection for everything until the next time you manually start a backup.

Tips

Use Back Up Now immediately after downloading files from your digital camera; then you can feel safe erasing the flash card for re-use.

Use Back Up Now after you’ve just finished some important work.

Use Back Up Now before upgrading software, before editing documents, etc.

Certain programs like Adobe Lightroom use a database that is best backed up by quitting Lightroom, then choosing Backup Now. Details.

The same ideas hold any time you’ve completed some important work.

Automated, but start a backup anytime