Ways to install or upgrade FileMaker Pro
You can install or upgrade FileMaker Pro using either the full installer or the updater. They behave differently when a previous major version of FileMaker Pro is already installed, so it's important to choose the one that fits your situation. A major version is identified by the first number in the version number—for example, 26 in version 26.0.1.
The full installer
The full installer installs a complete copy of FileMaker Pro. Download it from your Electronic Software Download (ESD) page or Claris Customer Console (see About downloading FileMaker Pro and your license certificate).
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Windows: If FileMaker Pro 2024 (version 21) or a later major version is already installed, the full installer can't install the current version. Either uninstall the existing version first or use the updater instead—the full installer can't keep a previous version. If a version earlier than 21 is already installed, the installer installs the current version alongside it. See Installing FileMaker Pro (Windows).
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macOS: Because the application is named FileMaker Pro.app, without a version number, installing the new version replaces an existing FileMaker Pro.app. To keep a previous version, rename it first. See Installing FileMaker Pro (macOS).
The updater
The updater updates your existing installation of FileMaker Pro to a newer version. This includes both updates within your current major version and upgrades to a new major version. Use the updater by choosing Help > Check for Updates in FileMaker Pro, or by downloading the updater from Updates and release notes.
When you use the updater to upgrade to the next major version, you can choose to keep the previous version. This lets you can run two major versions side by side. See About upgrading FileMaker Pro from a previous version.
Which should you use?
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If no version of FileMaker Pro is installed, use the full installer.
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If you don't need to keep a previous version, you can use either method.
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If you need to keep a previous version, use the updater and choose to keep the previous version. You might do this to support users with different versions, to test your custom apps before deploying them, or to verify plug-in compatibility.