Quick Look Time Machine’s interface

The timeline

Move the pointer over the timeline at the bottom right of the screen. Each notch in it represents a backup’s date and time, starting with the most recent one at the bottom.

The window

Click a backup in the timeline and the window in the center (Finder, or the Time Machine-compatible app you were using before entering Time Machine) will change to display its contents.

Restore or delete

Select one or more files in the Finder window. Click the Restore button to get the selected version back, or click the cog button in the toolbar, then “Delete All Backups of [selection].”

Local snapshots

If a MacBook is away from its backup disk, Time Machine can use the built-in drive for local snapshots. Bright red backups can be restored right away. Dimmed ones require your backup disk.