Creating Backups

To work with backups, make sure that the backup tool is activated. Choose Window > Backup View or press Cmd-1.

The APFS and Mac OS Extended file systems on the local destination drive lets you use its space more efficiently by creating incremental backups. If the local destination disk has a different file system, or if you want to save backups on a remote disk, you should choose the Disk Image option. It will be discussed in Step 2.

If your project includes files that are protected by the operating system (you may be unaware about that), you will need to activate the Use administrator privileges check box in the project settings, and approve this with the admin's password in order to let the program access those files.

Step 1: Create a new backup project

Click the Plus button at the bottom of the project list. Then type in the project name.

Step 2: Set up the backup

As soon as you add a new project, the program will open the project settings. You can set up the project right away, or do this later. Note that you must select the backup destination drive and folder before running the project.

Along with the destination, you should choose whether you want your data to be stored as original files and folders, or inside a disk image. In the first case, select Folder near the destination disk name. This is the default option. The two other options are Disk Image and Disk Image (Encrypted). To find out why you might want to use a disk image, read the Using Disk Images section.

Step 3: Add files and folders to the project

To add a file or folder to the project, use any of these ways:

Drag and drop a file or folder to the list on the main window.
Click the File+ button and select a file or folder. You can select multiple items at the same time.
Choose Process > Add File… in the main menu and select a file or folder. You can select multiple items at the same time.

By clicking the Apps Data+, you can choose a preset. Each of them adds user's data related to one of the listed apps.

To delete an item from the list, select it and click the File- button below the list.

Step 4: Create a backup

To create a backup, click the Start button.

If you have activated scheduled creation of backups, the process will start automatically at the stated time.

If the When source and destination are mounted option is activated in the Properties dialog, the program can also start the process automatically when you connect a USB disk to the computer.