Understanding Manual Time on Upwork

What is Manual Time?

In the simplest terms, Manual Time on Upwork allows freelancers to manually input time spent working, instead of working on a project with the Upwork Desktop App which automatically tracks and logs your time.

When to Use Manual Time

Manual time can be an excellent resource if:

• You have discussed and confirmed enabled manual time with the client
• Your activities cannot be logged automatically by the Upwork Desktop App
• There are connectivity issues interfering with the app’s tracking

How to Enter Manual Time

To log manual time in Upwork, you:

1. Navigate to your Work Diary
2. Select the relevant contract
3. Select “Add Manual Time”
4. Input the date, hours worked, and details of the work completed
5. Select “Save”

Considerations for Manual Time

Please be aware that manual time is not covered by the Upwork Payment Protection. It’s advised to always communicate with your client before entering manual time. The client reserves the right not to pay for the manually entered time if it hasn’t been previously agreed upon.

Rule of thumb

While Manual Time can be useful in specific scenarios, it’s generally recommended to use the Upwork Desktop App for time tracking to be fully protected by Upwork’s Payment Protection program.