Moving my linked tree between two Mac computers

If you have a laptop or secondary computer, you may want to periodically switch which computer’s Family Tree Maker software is linked with your online family tree. (Note that you can only have your Ancestry tree linked to Family Tree Maker on ONE computer at a time. You may still work in your tree that is saved on Ancestry from any computer, but that tree can only link and sync with one computer.)

Normally we recommend having your tree linked to one primary computer and working in the online tree with your alternate computer (or iPad/iPhone/Android device through the Ancestry App). Since Family Tree Maker “talks” to your online tree, any changes you add to the online tree will transfer into your tree in Family Tree Maker the next time you perform a sync.

If you need to change which computer your online tree is linked to for any reason, follow the instructions below.

This article discusses the following steps:

• Before you begin
• Sync your tree to Ancestry
• Backing up a linked tree
• Restoring a linked tree

Before you begin

The easiest method for transferring a tree from one computer to another is by using a USB flash drive. If you do not have one, it may be worth your time to purchase one before continuing with the steps below.

Sync your tree to Ancestry

1. Open Family Tree Maker on the computer with which your online tree is currently linked and click the Plan button on the main toolbar.

2. Make sure the linked tree that you want to transfer to another computer is open.

3. Click the sync icon in the upper-right corner of the application window and choose Sync Now from the pop-up menu to make sure your tree is in sync with your Ancestry tree. 

Backing up a linked tree

1. Click the File menu and choose Backup.

   

2. In the Include section of the Backup dialog, make sure the Media files and Allow restored file to resume syncing checkboxes are selected. 

   

3. Choose a location for saving your backup file. The safest place is usually on your computer’s hard disk — i.e., either in the default location or in a folder of your choice (Custom directory).

4. Click the Backup button.
5. A progress screen will open showing you the status of the backup. When you get a message telling you the backup has been completed successfully, click OK.

   

6. Go to the location of the backup file you have created and copy the file to a flash drive.

Restoring a linked tree

1. Unplug your flash drive and insert it into an available USB port on the computer where you will be re-linking your tree to Ancestry with. 

2. Open Family Tree Maker, click the File menu and choose Restore.

   

3. In the dialog that appears, navigate to your flash drive, select your backup file, and then click Open

4. The Save dialog opens. Click the Save button to restore your file.

5. After your file is restored, the Restore - Additional Options dialog appears. To link the newly restored tree to your Ancestry tree, make sure the Restore sync files checkbox is selected and click the Restore button.

   

6. Once your tree is relinked, click the sync icon in the upper-right corner of the application window and choose Sync Now from the pop-up menu to verify that your restored tree is in sync with your Ancestry tree.