Can you delete only the screenshot but keep the time?

No. When you delete a screenshot on Upwork, you're deleting the entire 10-minute segment that contains that screenshot. You cannot delete just the screenshot while keeping the time—the segment and its time are removed together.

Will clients notice if I delete segments?

Clients can see your Work Diary, which shows tracked time. If you delete segments, those periods won't appear in your Work Diary. Frequent deletions might raise questions, but occasional deletions are common when freelancers remove awkward screenshots.

Is deleting segments against Upwork rules?

No. Upwork allows you to remove time from your Work Diary, including deleting segments that contain screenshots. However, deleting segments means you lose payment for that time, so it's better to avoid awkward screenshots in the first place.

How can I reduce deletions without cheating?

The best way to reduce deletions is to understand when screenshots happen and use the low-risk windows that follow each capture. SneakTime sends post-screenshot alerts so you know exactly when a screenshot occurred and can use the remaining time in that segment for personal tasks without risk.

What if I delete a segment by mistake?

Unfortunately, once you delete a segment from your Work Diary, you cannot undo it. The time and payment for that segment are lost. This is why it's important to be careful when deleting segments and to use tools like SneakTime to reduce the need for deletions.

How much money do I lose per deleted segment?

You lose payment for the entire 10-minute segment. At $50/hour, that's $8.33 per deleted segment. At $100/hour, that's $16.67 per deleted segment. Frequent deletions can add up to significant lost income over time.

Upwork Delete Screenshot: What It Really Deletes

When you "delete a screenshot" on Upwork, you're actually deleting the entire 10-minute segment that contains that screenshot. This removes that time from your work diary and you lose payment for that entire 10-minute period, even if you were actively working during most of that time.

Many freelancers delete segments because they contain awkward screenshots (personal email, chat messages, Spotify, banking, blank pages). However, this approach costs money and doesn't solve the underlying problem of screenshot anxiety.

SneakTime sends post-screenshot alerts so you know exactly when a screenshot happened. This reduces the chances of opening personal content before the next capture, leading to fewer deleted segments and more money in your pocket.

What deleting a screenshot actually does

In Upwork's Work Diary, removing a screenshot typically removes the entire 10-minute time segment's activity. In practice, freelancers often "delete a screenshot" because the screenshot looks personal or off-task, but the result is losing paid tracked time for that segment.

Source: Upwork time tracker documentation and How to remove time from your work diary

The Money Equation

• 1 deleted segment = 10 minutes of tracked time removed
• At $50/hour: 1 deleted segment = $8.33 lost
• At $100/hour: 1 deleted segment = $16.67 lost
• Frequent deletions add up quickly, especially at higher hourly rates

Why freelancers delete 10-minute segments

Most deletions happen because of "awkward screenshots"—moments when Upwork Time Tracker captured something personal or off-task:

• Personal email or messages (WhatsApp, Slack, etc.)
• Music or video players (Spotify, YouTube)
• Banking or financial apps
• Blank pages or error screens
• Social media or news sites

Freelancers worry about client perception and delete segments to remove these screenshots, but this costs money and doesn't address the root cause: not knowing when screenshots happen. Learn more: How to reduce deleted Upwork segments.

A better solution: avoid awkward screenshots instead

Instead of deleting segments after awkward screenshots happen, you can reduce the chances of awkward screenshots in the first place by understanding when screenshots occur and using the low-risk windows that follow each capture.

After Upwork Time Tracker takes a screenshot in a 10-minute segment, there won't be another screenshot in that same segment. This creates a natural "low-risk window" for the remaining time in that segment—the perfect time to check personal messages, stretch, or take a quick break.

The challenge is knowing when a screenshot happened. That's where SneakTime helps.

How SneakTime helps reduce deleted segments

SneakTime sends post-screenshot alerts right after Upwork Time Tracker takes a screenshot. This reduces the chances of opening personal content before the next capture, leading to fewer deleted segments.

✓ Post-screenshot alerts: know exactly when a screenshot just happened.
✓ Low-risk window awareness: use the remaining time in the segment after a screenshot for personal tasks.
✓ Fewer deleted segments: reduce accidental awkward screenshots that lead to losing paid time.
✓ Save money: avoid deleting 10-minute segments and keep your hard-earned pay.

SneakTime does not block screenshots or manipulate Upwork Time Tracker. It only provides post-screenshot notifications to improve your awareness and reduce screenshot anxiety.

Install SneakTime

Get instant notifications when Upwork Time Tracker takes screenshots and reduce deleted segments that cost you money.

Install Chrome Extension Get Desktop Companion (GitHub)

SneakTime is an independent tool created by freelancers. Not affiliated with Upwork Inc.

Related Glossary Terms

Delete a segment — What it really deletes
Awkward screenshot — What it is and how to handle it
10-minute segment — Understanding segment boundaries
Upwork Work Diary — What it is and how clients view it

View all glossary terms →