Getting started
Install & first launch
Download Tusk, drag it to Applications, and step through the first-launch checklist. After this you have a running app, ready to set up its first project.
1
Download Tusk
Grab the latest build from tuskbackup.com. The download is a signed and notarized .dmg, around 100 MB. Tusk runs on Apple Silicon and on Intel Macs (macOS 12 and newer).
2
Open the .dmg and drag Tusk to Applications
Double-click the .dmg to mount it, then drag the Tusk icon onto the Applications folder shortcut in the same window. Eject the .dmg afterwards.
3
Launch Tusk from Applications
Open Launchpad or Finder > Applications and double-click Tusk. The first time you open a downloaded app, macOS shows a confirmation dialog. Click Open.
4
Start your free trial
Tusk starts a 14-day free trial automatically when you open it for the first time. No credit card. No account. Every feature is available during the trial. After the trial, you can activate a license key from Preferences to keep going.
5
Walk through the welcome screen
The first-launch welcome explains the basics and offers to grant the file access permissions Tusk needs (Documents, Downloads, Desktop, Pictures, Movies, plus your home folder). You can grant them now or later from System Settings. The macOS permissions doc covers this in detail if you want to know exactly what each prompt unlocks.
You don't have to keep Tusk open
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