Apple has been busy working on the next version of the desktop operating system, macOS 10.15, also known as “Catalina.” While there have been several delays, Apple has said they expect it to be released this month (October 2019). While there are several new features and changes, one change, in particular, affects RootsMagic users: Catalina requires all applications to be 64-bit applications.
RootsMagic 7
RootsMagic 7 runs on macOS, although it is not a “native” application. It runs using a “wrapper” that is provided by CodeWeavers, makers of the popular CrossOver software that allows Windows applications to run on a Mac. This wrapper made by CodeWeavers is a 32-bit application and does not run on Catalina. CodeWeavers has been working for quite some time updating their software to be a 64-bit application so that it can run on Catalina and future versions of macOS. While they’ve made great progress, some last-minute problems in Catalina itself have caused delays. Unfortunately, their wrapper will not likely be available in time for Catalina’s release. This means that RootsMagic 7 for Mac will not be able to run on macOS Catalina until CodeWeavers finishes their update to a 64-bit application.
RootsMagic 8
First, the good news- RootsMagic 8 is a fully-native, 64-bit macOS application and runs great on macOS Catalina. The bad news? It’s still in testing, and likely won’t be officially released before MacOS Catalina is released.
Other Applications
RootsMagic is not the only application that will stop running under Catalina. If you want to see what other apps you have that will be affected:
- Click the Apple icon in the upper-left corner of the screen.
- Click About this Mac.
- Click System Report…
- From the list on the left, select Software then Applications.
- Click 64-Bit (Intel) on the right side of the list’s header. This sorts the applications by 32/64 bits.
- Any applications that have “No” are 32-bit and will not run under Catalina.
Our Recommendation
As much as we hate to say this- we recommend that if you need to be able to run RootsMagic 7 on your Mac, do not update to macOS Catalina. Wait until CodeWeavers finishes their 64-bit wrapper for RootsMagic 7 or for the official release of RootsMagic 8. For most users, there is no urgent need to install Catalina as previous versions of the operating system will continue to work and be supported for quite some time.
In the meantime, CodeWeavers is doing all that they can to update their wrapper as quickly as possible, while we continue to work night-and-day to finish RootsMagic 8 for you. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Clear coherent info on 64 bit apps.
Mac users should be SLOW to update to Catalina expected out at the end of October. Prudent to wait 1-2 months for the 1st and 2nd bug fixes just like on the phone and pad.
Thank you for your most helpful and timely comments. I shall certainly abide by your suggestions and wait a few months before doing anything.
WOW! Keep up the good work, Bruce, looking forward to your version 8.
Out of interest I followed the guidance on using ‘About this Mac’ on a Mojave install to check the ‘bitted-ness’ of all my apps.
Found 2 current Apple ‘apps’ that reported as 32 bit, 2 Microsoft apps; and one old utility (now uninstalled).
All Crossover and other WINE apps (14 in total) report as being 64-bit even though i know most are 32-bit and they throw up pop-up warnings with increasing and annoying regularity, so this certainly isn’t an effective way to perform a check. This is obviously because Crossover and other WINE installations are true 64-bit, but the Wrappers produced contain recognisable 32-bit calls which is what MacOS recognises.
I would be delighted to be a beta tester for RM8 for the Mac. I’ve been beta testing for Apple for decades. MacBook Pro using the beta for Catalina.
Reply: Fill out the Beta Tester Application here – http://rootsmagic8.com
Renee, RootsMagic
I’m still using MacOS High Sierra version 10.13.3.
Will RootsMagic 8 work on my computer?
Thanks.
So pleased to see version 8 will be a native MAC application, I await its release. I have been a RootsMagic user since V1.
I just purchased a MacBook Pro which is a tablet type computer. Your message states that the problem is with the DESKTOP operating system. Does this problem apply to the MacBook Pro? Your original message is too technical for me to understand. I have NO idea what the MacBook Pro operating system or macOS Catalina is. Can you please clarify in simple terms what issue is? — I have been using RootsMagic for many years and I do not want to mess my data up. THANK YOU.
Reply: Yes, that would apply to the MacBook Pro running Catalina. The iPhone and iPad will run iOS and not the full version of RootsMagic, so they are not effected by this.
Renee, RootsMagic
I recently bought an iMac and I believe the OS by default had “automatically install macOS updates” engaged. I have unchecked that box on my computer to ensure it doesn’t automatically upgrade to Catalina.
Thank you for your hard work!
The time to make a decision not to upgrade to Catalina is before you upgrade. Had I known that RootsMagic 7 would not operate on Catalina I could have choose then and still be using RootsMagic 7.
I have now been locked out of all 32 bit programs and I was given no heads up from Apple or anyone else in the know with a warning to stop and weigh the pros & cons of the new OS, and that if we upgraded we would loose use of all 32 bit programs.
I already installed Catalina on my macbook, not knowing Rootsmagic wouldn’t be happy! So now when I use Rootsmagic I can’t sign out of it. Any suggestions? I have to completely shut my computer off to get out of Rootsmagic.
When do you foresee the release of Rootsmagic 8?
Reply: To use RM7 again you will need to roll back the MacOS, until CrossOver has the new wrapper for RM7 ready.
Renee, RootsMagic
Useful information for sure, so thank you for that. So how long is the wait for RM8? How long is the wait for stop gap measure of RM7 with 64bit wrapper? I don’t care anymore … I’ve switched tools.
Cross over has created unresolvable problems in my RM forcing me to switch to FTM & I certainly understand the frustration of not having an estimated date for the native Mac version. BUT Apple has sent out repeated warnings for months to check in About this Mac for your list of 32 & 64 bit programs to see which ones would not work in Catalina. So give us an estimated delivery!
Reply: CrossOver hasn’t given us a date for when the new wrapper for RootsMagic 7 will be available.
Renee, RootsMagic
Hey guys, Unfortunately I got to this recommendation too late and have already upgraded to Catalina. So, now, I’m locked out of RootsMagic 7 🙁
I’d be really grateful if you could let me/us know when the codeweavers have had success. Best, Jim
I’m really not interested in discussion about waiting for another wrapper to be updated. When will version 8 be ready?
Well, Catalina has been out for a while, but still no word on when we’ll see RM8. Can you give us an expected release date?
It appears that macOS Catalina is released as I have received a notice to update. I have withheld doing so until Roots Magic is ready to work on the new platform. About when will the Roots Magic 8 or an update be available, as I believe that the system would work more effectively with Catalina software.
I use 32 and need to know if I will still be able to use RootsMagic 8 when it comes out.
Reply: “RootsMagic 8 is a fully-native, 64-bit macOS application and runs great on macOS Catalina.”
Renee, RootsMagic
Is there going to be a 32-bit version of RootsMagic 8 for Windows? I have an older Windows 7 laptop that has a 32-bit processor. This is the computer that I run RootsMagic on due to portability. There was some mention in the RootsMagic User Group on FB that RM8 was only going to be 64-bit on Windows, but that won’t work for 32-bit computers. Just wondering so I know if I need to buy another upgrade copy of RM7 (to upgrade to RM8), or if I’ll be stuck on RM7.