Manually start Time Machine backup without menu bar icon The only way I know how to manually start a Time Machine backup is by showing the Time Machine menu bar icon (by enabling that option in System Preferences), and then choosing "Start Backup" from the menu bar icon's menu.

How can I manually start a backup without having to use the menu bar icon?
If you'd prefer not to have or use Time Machine from its icon on the menu bar, it can be started/stopped, and more, via Terminal, e.g.:

tmutil startbackup


Or:

tmutil stopbackup


The startbackup verb also can take options, i.e:

tmutil startbackup [-a | --auto] [-b | --block] [-r | --rotation] [-d | --destination dest_id]


Have a look at its manual page: man tmutil