Move to another computer

[mardicar]

I finally got Reunion 14 onto my new MacBook Air. However, it is empty. I guess I can make a Gedcom from the old iMac. Is there any other way? I have tried moving it from Dropbox and from an external drive. I. have tried so many times that I don't remember how I finally got it in., but it is an empty application. None of my work came with it. There is a lot of genealogy contained in that program as I have done several genealogies over the years in addition to my own. I am desperate. Thanks. Mardi

[mardicar]

cP.S. I don't like GEDCOMs because they mess up my formatting.

[mardicar]

PPS. Now I can't even open it on the new computer.

[theKiwi]

Copy the My Family.familyfile file from your old computer to the new one, and open it on the new one.

Do NOT use a GEDCOM file to transfer the information - use the actual Reunion family file.

Roger

[Herb]

Call or chat with Reunion Support. They are the best in the business

[Bob White]

Or ask your AI app. Based on my extensive usage, I find this to be accurate. Here's what ChatGPT comes up with:


Here are the safe, recommended ways to do it.

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Method 1 (Best): Copy the Reunion family file manually

On the old Mac

Open Finder.
Go to Documents.
Look for a file with a name like: YourFamily.reunion
or Smith Family.reunion

Quit Reunion if it’s open.
Copy that .reunion file to: a USB flash drive, or
an external hard drive, or
iCloud Drive / Dropbox / AirDrop.

⚠️ The .reunion file is actually a package that contains photos, documents, sources, etc.
Do not open it or alter its contents—just copy it whole.

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On the new Mac

Install Reunion (same or newer version).
Copy the .reunion file into the Documents folder.
Double-click the file.
Reunion will open it automatically.

✅ That’s it—your entire family, photos, sources, and settings should appear exactly as before.

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Method 2: Using Migration Assistant (works, but less control)


If you used Migration Assistant when setting up the new Mac: The Reunion family file is usually copied automatically.
Check:
Documents → Reunion
or just search Finder for .reunion.

If it opens correctly, you’re done.

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Method 3: Backup → Restore (optional safety net)


If you want extra insurance: On the old Mac, in Reunion: File → Backup Family File

Copy the backup file to the new Mac.
On the new Mac: File → Restore Family File


This is useful if you suspect file corruption or want a clean restore.

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Important tips

✅ Always quit Reunion before copying the file.
❌ Don’t copy individual folders like Pictures or Sources—only the .reunion file.
All photos and media live inside the family file, so nothing else is needed.
If moving between very old and very new Reunion versions, let Reunion upgrade the file when prompted.

---

[theKiwi]

On the old Mac

Open Finder.
Go to Documents.
Look for a file with a name like: YourFamily.reunion
or Smith Family.reunion

Method 4 - don't believe everything/anything that any AI tells you - the file is not, and as far as I can recall NEVER has been called "yourFamily.reunion". The file extension is .familyfile(xx) where xx denotes the version number in more recent versions - prior to that it was simply .familyfile

❌ Don’t copy individual folders like Pictures or Sources—only the .reunion file.
All photos and media live inside the family file, so nothing else is needed.

This is NOT true. The family file doesn't contain the originals of all the media items - it contains the thumbnails that are created based on the settings in this window in Reunion ------> Settings ------> Media ------> Rebuild Thumbnails.

image.png

To move the originals to the new computer you also MUST transfer the folder(s) that contain all the original images to the new computer.

Your best bet is to use Migration Assistant to copy all of your "stuff" from the out going computer to the new computer.

Roger

[Deb]

If you have not already successfully completed the transfer of your version 14 family file to your new Mac (AND) if you are only going to use that version 14 family file on that new Mac, I recommend doing it this way...

1. On your new Mac, download a fresh copy of the Reunion 14 app. It can be downloaded from here...

https://www.leisterpro.com/doc/v14/download.php

2. After downloading/installing/starting up Reunion 14 on the new Mac, enter your Reunion 14 User Name and License Code….provided with your purchase.

3. When you are prompted to "Select a family file, chart file, or GEDCOM file," by Reunion 14, click "Cancel" in that window. Then, quit Reunion 14 on the new Mac.

NEXT, ON YOUR OLDER MAC...

1. Open your Reunion 14 family file on your older Mac and choose File -> Export Reunion Family File. Then, select these options...

• People: All people
• Sources: All sources
• Multimedia: All multimedia
(Then, check the box to copy multimedia files to a new folder and click Proceed in the message window that opens.)
√ Logs (Check Logs if logs were used.)

2. Click the “Export…” button at the bottom and “Proceed” in the message window that opens.

3. In the Export window that opens, select the Desktop as the location to which the exported file should be saved and click the Export button.

4. Once the export is completed, you may quit Reunion 14.

5. You will see a folder — containing a family file and a Media folder — appear on the desktop. Note: the Media folder should contain the media items linked to people in the family file.

6. Then, copy that entire export folder onto a flash drive or external hard drive.

7. Finally, eject the drive from the older Mac and insert it into your newer Mac.

ON YOUR NEWER MAC...

1. Then, back on your new Mac, open the drive icon after it appears on your new Mac and drag the "export" folder onto the Desktop of your new Mac.

2. Next, open the export folder and move the exported family file into your Documents/Reunion Files folder.

3. Move the Media folder into your Pictures/Reunion Pictures folder.

4. Then, re-open Reunion 14 on your new Mac.

5. Finally, when seeing the prompt to "Select a family file, chart file, or GEDCOM file," use that window to select your version 14 family file and click "Open"
I hope you find this information helpful in moving forward

[Bob White]

Method 4 - don't believe everything/anything that any AI tells you - the file is not, and as far as I can recall NEVER has been called "yourFamily.reunion". The file extension is .familyfile(xx) where xx denotes the version number in more recent versions - prior to that it was simply .familyfile........

Funny thing going on. I spotted those errors and deleted all my text and hit the Cancel button. An error message popped up saying there was a problem and that I would be contacted. Then the post disappeared. So I was surprised tonight to find it actually posted after I withdrew it. My apologies for any confusion this is causing.

[theKiwi]

5. You will see a folder — containing a family file and a Media folder — appear on the desktop. Note: the Media folder should contain the media items linked to people in the family file.

I just tried this as I'd never run it before - have never had a need to - and one important caveat is that any hierarchy of folders and files you might have created to store your media items in is lost - the Media folder contains all the media items that were linked in the family file.

In my case I have all my media split into folders like this

image.png

and each of these is sub-divided too - for example the headstones folder looks like this with some of the folders opened

image.png

The innermost folders are for a single cemetery inside City, County, Country folders. All of this organisation is lost as items are gathered for the Media folder Reunion creates.

Roger