If you’re staring at your screen right now wondering why Family Tree Maker 2024 won’t install on your shiny new macOS Tahoe update, trust me—I’ve been there. That FTM 2024 MacOS Tahoe installation issue fixed moment felt like pure magic after days of frustration. It all started when I tried compacting a massive old database or merging a bunch of duplicate relatives, and boom, the whole thing just broke on my M2 MacBook. Errors popping up left and right, the app crashing before it even opened… yeah, not fun when you’re deep into family research.
What Was Really Going On With This FTM 2024 MacOS Tahoe Installation Issue
From digging around (and a lot of trial and error), it seems macOS Tahoe— that’s 15.1 for those keeping track—tightened up a ton of security stuff and how apps handle files. Family Tree Maker wasn’t quite ready for it, especially if your trees are huge or you’ve been messing with compacting to save space or merging people to clean things up. I’d get that dreaded “app is damaged” message, or it’d hang forever on launch. Turns out, those features can leave behind some funky file permissions or hidden junk that Tahoe absolutely hates, particularly on Apple Silicon chips or if you’re syncing with iCloud.
I tried the basics first—re-downloading, restarting, praying to the tech gods—but nope. It was specifically tied to those database tweaks.
My Tried-and-True Steps to Get FTM 2024 MacOS Tahoe Installation Issue Fixed For Good
Here’s exactly what worked for me, no fluff. Helped my friend with the same problem last week, and it fixed her out too.
First off, wipe the slate clean. Don’t just trash the app; get rid of all the leftovers. I fired up Terminal (yeah, scary but easy) and ran:
Grab the newest installer straight from MacKiev’s site—make sure it’s 24.2.1 or whatever the latest patch is. Old versions? Forget it.
If you’re on an M-chip Mac, this was a game-changer: right-click the installer, hit “Get Info,” and check “Open using Rosetta.” Tahoe’s all about native speed, but FTM still has some old code that prefers the Rosetta translation layer.
For the really stubborn cases linked to compacting or merging glitches, I had to dip into Recovery Mode. Hold Command + R at startup, open Terminal there, and type csrutil disable to turn off System Integrity Protection just temporarily. Install FTM, do your thing, then boot back in and re-enable with csrutil enable. (Pro tip: Don’t leave it off—security matters!)
After installing, open a backup of your file first (always backup!), compact or merge in small chunks, and keep everything on your local drive—not iCloud, which can mess with permissions big time.
Stuff I Wish Someone Told Me Earlier About Avoiding the FTM 2024 MacOS Tahoe Installation Issue
Biggest rookie mistakes? Merging hundreds of people at once right after a fresh install—do it gradually. Or skipping Rosetta on newer Macs. And always, always check Console.app for error logs if it acts up; searching “Family Tree Maker” there gave me clues no forum post did.
Wrapping It Up: Back to Building My Family Tree on Tahoe
Nailing the FTM 2024 MacOS Tahoe installation issue fixed was such a relief—especially since it was all from those compacting and merging habits I can’t quit. Now I’m back to uncovering stories from the 1800s without any interruptions. If this saved your sanity, let me know in the comments what wild family discovery you’re chasing next. Who’s the most interesting ancestor in your tree?