HOWTO: Setup encrypted Time Machine Backup on MacOS

Purpose:

• Instructions how to setup Time Machine Backup 

Requirements:

• MacOS: Supported Versions

Instructions:

When you connect up an new external hard drive to your Mac, it will automatically ask you if you want to use it for Time Machine

1. Check Encrypt Backup Disk
2. Select Use as Backup Disk
   
3. Enter in a Secure Backup password.
   If you need help coming up with a secure password, click on the Key icon to open up the Password Assistant
4. Type in the Backup password a second time in the Verify password field
5. Enter in a Password hint to help you remember this password should you forget it.
   There is no way to recover data if you forget the Backup password
6. Click on the Encrypt Disk button
   

Manual Setup of Time Machine on OS X:

If your Mac does not automatically prompt you if you want to use a device for Time Machine, you can manually set it up yourself.

1. Click on the Apple Menu and select System Preferences...
   
   
   
2. Select the Time Machine icon
   
   
   
3. Click on Select Disk
   
   
   
4. Highlight the backup drive you want to use for backups and check Encrypt backup disk
5. Click Use Backup Disk
   
   
   
6. Enter in a Secure Backup password.
   If you need help coming up with a secure password, click on the Key icon to open up the Password Assistant
7. Type in the Backup password a second time in the Verify password field
8. Enter in a Password hint to help you remember this password should you forget it.
   There is no way to recover data if you forget the Backup password
9. Click Encrypt Disk
   
   
   

Related Articles: