Family Tree Maker 2018: which version do you actually have?
The publisher never released a Family Tree Maker 2018. People who bought the software during 2018 received FTM 2017, build 23.3. This page shows you how to confirm your real edition in under a minute and what that edition does on a current computer.
- Applies to
- FTM 2017 · 2019
- Platform
- Windows & macOS
- Checked
- September 2026
The short answer
Family Tree Maker 2018 does not exist. The publisher released FTM 2017, then FTM 2019, then FTM 2024. The lineup skips 2018 entirely.
Your copy is almost certainly FTM 2017, build 23.3. A purchase late in 2018 or early in 2019 points instead to FTM 2019, build 24.x.
Why people search for Family Tree Maker 2018
Three habits produce the search, and none of them indicate a mistake on your part.
- Purchase year replaces edition year in memory. FTM 2017 sold throughout 2018, so buyers recall 2018.
- Ancestry.com shipped annual editions until 2016. Long-time users expect a version for every year.
- Invoices and card statements carry the purchase date rather than the edition name.
Identify the edition you own
Read the build number. The build identifies the edition without ambiguity.
Open Family Tree Maker. On Windows select Help, then About Family Tree Maker. On a Mac select the Family Tree Maker menu, then About Family Tree Maker.
Read the build number and match it below.
| Build starts with | Your edition | Status in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 25. | FTM 2024 | Current release. |
| 24. | FTM 2019 | Runs and syncs. Update to 24.2.3. |
| 23. | FTM 2017 | Runs on Windows. Blocked on recent macOS. |
| 22. | FTM 2014 | Legacy. Ancestry syncing ended. |
Quote the build number, never the year. Support conversations move faster when the build is on the table, because the build determines which fixes apply.
What to do with FTM 2017
Your operating system decides the answer.
| Your computer | What to do | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 or 11 | Keep using it | FTM 2017 runs. Upgrade only for a specific fault. |
| Recent macOS | Move to FTM 2024 | Recent macOS blocks the FTM 2017 installer. |
| Syncing failing | Move to FTM 2024 | Sync fixes land in the current edition first. |
Back up your tree file before any change. A backup that includes media protects the photographs as well as the names and dates. See backing up a tree file.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Family Tree Maker 2018?
No. The publisher released FTM 2017, then FTM 2019, then FTM 2024. No 2018 edition exists.
I bought Family Tree Maker in 2018. Which version do I have?
You have FTM 2017, build 23.3. FTM 2017 sold throughout 2018. A purchase very late in 2018 points to FTM 2019 instead.
How do I find my Family Tree Maker build number?
Open Family Tree Maker. On Windows select Help, then About Family Tree Maker. On a Mac select the Family Tree Maker menu, then About Family Tree Maker.
Does Family Tree Maker 2017 still work in 2026?
FTM 2017 runs on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Recent macOS releases block its installer, so Mac users on current macOS need FTM 2024.
Does Family Tree Maker 2017 still sync with Ancestry?
Syncing works in FTM 2017, and sync fixes reach the current edition first. Persistent sync failures on FTM 2017 point to an upgrade.
What build number is Family Tree Maker 2017?
Build 23.3. Any build starting with 23 is FTM 2017.
Still not sure what you have?
We identify your edition and tell you whether an upgrade is worth it. No fix, no fee.