Upgrading FileMaker Pro from a previous version

To upgrade an existing installation of FileMaker Pro from a previous major version (for example, from version 21 to 22), choose one of these methods:

  • Check for Updates: In FileMaker Pro, choose Help > Check for Updates. If an update is available, the Software Update dialog opens. Follow the onscreen instructions to download and install.

  • Download Updater: Go to Updates and release notes and download the updater for the version you want to upgrade to. Start the updater, then follow the onscreen instructions.

If you have problems upgrading FileMaker Pro, visit Customer Support.

Notes 

  • If you use FileMaker Pro to connect to a host running an earlier version of FileMaker Server, you may need to wait to upgrade FileMaker Pro until the host is upgraded to a compatible version. If you're unsure, ask your IT department, server administrator, or app developer. For supported host versions, see FileMaker Technical Specifications.

  • The above methods work only when upgrading from FileMaker Pro 2024 (version 21) or later.

  • To use these methods to upgrade from a previous major version, you must have an eligible license and an active subscription or maintenance contract.

  • When you use Check for Updates, the Software Update dialog offers you the latest update for your current version—for example, an update from 21.0.1 to 21.1.2. If you already have the latest update for your current version installed, the dialog offers you the latest update for the new major version, if available—for example, an upgrade from to 21.1.2 to 22.0.2. Therefore you may need to use Check for Updates to update your current version first, then use it again to upgrade to the new major version.

  • Windows: When you use the above methods to upgrade to the next major version, you're asked whether you want to keep the previous version. If you choose to keep it, the previous version is copied to a new location and a shortcut to it is added to the desktop, then FileMaker Pro in its original location is upgraded.

    Note  The full installer for FileMaker Pro doesn't offer the option to keep the previous version. For this option, you must use one of the above methods.

  • macOS: If you want to keep the previous version, before upgrading, quit FileMaker Pro and copy the FileMaker Pro.app file (usually in your Applications folder) to another location (or make a copy in the same location, giving it a different filename—for example, adding the previous version number). Then use one of the above methods to upgrade your original FileMaker Pro.app file.

  • If you purchased FileMaker Pro as a single-license upgrade and choose to uninstall the previous version before installing the latest version, make sure you have the license certificate file for the previous version. When you install FileMaker Pro with an upgrade license, if a previous version isn't installed, you're asked to provide the license certificate file for the previous version of the product.