If you’re already a Forebears user, you’re probably aware that the app has been steadily growing and improving over time. Today I want to share a quick but important update: this is the final update for Forebears on its current platforms—iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
The good news is that we’re not standing still. MyForebears for iPhone and iPad is already on the App Store now, and a brand-new MyForebears for Mac will be launched very soon. MyForebears is where all the major work for the rest of this year will be happening. It’s built to give you a smoother, more future-proof experience—so when new features arrive, you’ll be ready to enjoy them from day one.
What you should do now
If you’re one of our 20,000 Forebears users on iPhone or iPad and haven’t already, please download MyForebears now. (If you’re seeing the reminder inside the app, that’s exactly what it’s for.) Once you’ve made the switch, you’ll benefit from the latest improvements as they roll out.
If you’re one of our many Mac users, please continue using Forebears for a short while longer. You’ll love what’s coming, and we’ll let you know as soon as MyForebears for Mac is available to download on the Mac App Store.
Transferring your family groups
If you’ve already built one or more family groups in Forebears, you can pick up directly from where you left off in MyForebears—don’t worry, nothing is lost. Before you switch, take a moment to export each group from Forebears: open the Library, choose the group, go to Group Overview (the button at the top-right of the Wonder Wheel), and save a Forebears folder to the Files app on your device. After you’ve installed MyForebears, import that folder there and your tree and work come across with you.
It’s a small, deliberate step that keeps you in control of your data—and means you’re ready for everything we’re planning next in MyForebears.
A note about the App Store listing
You may notice that Forebears is listed under Opsisoft Limited, while MyForebears is listed under Martin Brooks. This is expected: I’m the same developer, and MyForebears is the next chapter of the same family history app—just under my personal developer account. Your family data isn’t tied to the old listing; follow the export/import steps above to bring your groups across.
Thanks for being part of the Forebears journey. I’m really looking forward to bringing you new developments in MyForebears throughout this year.
— Martin
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