Time Machine: Encrypt backup - how it works

To prevent unauthorized access to your Time Machine backup, you should encrypt the copy. You can read how to do this in this practical tip.

Time Machine: Encrypt backup - how it works

The Time Machine Backup can be easily encrypted. The function is supported by macOS by default and no additional programs are required. To do this, proceed as follows:

1. Open System Preferences on your Mac.
2. Click on the "Time Machine" menu item in the fourth line.
3. In the middle you will now find the "Select backup volume" button. Click on this.
4. Then select the hard drive on which you want to back up the backup.
5. Before you start the backup with "Use volume", check "Encrypt backups".
6. It is important that the hard disk supports encryption. Otherwise the option is grayed out. However, almost every current hard drive supports encryption.

In the next practical tip, you will read how to proceed if a backup cannot be completed.