Finding your license key: Locating the 35 digit license key used during installation: Troubleshooting license keys: Solving issues related to license key entry during installation: Licensing frequently asked questions: Background information and troubleshooting for FileMaker license keys: Software Activation, what you need to know!
- FileMaker Server and FileMaker Server Advanced for OS X 10.9 Mavericks ONLY 12.0v6; FileMaker Server and FileMaker Server Advanced 12.0v5; FileMaker Server and Filemaker Server Advanced 12.0v4.
- FileMaker-Server12.png' alt='Filemaker Server 12 License Key' title='Filemaker Server 12 License Key' /File. Technical Specifications. The electronic version of File. 5 Advanced includes a license key for installation and a link to download the product software.
- Finding your license key: Locating the 35 digit license key used during installation: Troubleshooting license keys: Solving issues related to license key entry during installation: Licensing frequently asked questions: Background information and troubleshooting for FileMaker license keys: Software Activation, what you need to know!
Are you unable to install FileMaker 17, 18 or 19? Perhaps you’re entering your FileMaker License Key information correctly, but still can’t finish the installation. Try uploading the License Certificate.
The situation
You’re trying to install FileMaker Pro 19, but you’re halted when the program won’t accept the FileMaker License Key information. This seems straightforward, but you can’t continue past the error screen.
With the release of FileMaker Pro Advanced 17, FileMaker began using the License Certificatein place of the License Key. The License Certificate is also utilized during the FileMaker Server installation.
The License Certificate tracks the number of user licenses on file, as well as how many users are connected to the FileMaker Server. An error message will appear if more installations than purchased are trying to connect. (If you receive this message frequently, contact Shawn to add more licenses to your contract.)
Where is the License Certificate?
If you purchased FileMaker Pro as a download, you can access the installation files from the Electronic Software Download (ESD) link. If you’re a FileMaker Cloud user, log in to the FileMaker Customer Console and select the link to the subscription. The downloads tab contains the installers and the License Certificate.
The License Certificate exists in a format that Mac and PC aren’t able to process without assistance. However, FileMaker accepts this file type.
Download the License Certificate and the FileMaker Pro version that corresponds with your Mac* or PC**. After a quick introduction, you will be prompted to select “Use Trial,” “License Certificate” or “License Key”. While the ESD link provides the license key, we wouldn’t recommend manual entry. The easiest way to proceed is to select “Browse for Certificate,” and then upload the downloaded License Certificate.
The installation
Here are step by step instructions for installing FileMaker Pro version 17, 18 and 19 on your Mac or PC:
Mac Users
Download the License Certificate and the FileMaker 19 Product Installer.
After downloading the FileMaker Pro file, double-click the disk image icon (.dmg file).
Drag FileMaker Pro to the Applications folder.
Open FileMaker Pro (by using the Finder or the search tool).
In the Install FileMaker Pro License window, click through the instructions. When you get to Personalization, select License Certificate.
Next, upload the License Certificate. Select “Browse for Certificate” then navigate to the LicenseCert.fmcert file. Select the file.
Continue to step through the installation.
Connect to your database.
PC Users
Filemaker Server 16 %2b License Key
Download the License Certificate file and FileMaker Pro 19 from the Electronic Software Download link.
After downloading the file for FileMaker Pro, double-click the installation icon (.exe file).
Filemaker Server 16 2b License Key Free
Follow the onscreen instructions.
Upload the License Certificate.
To install the License Certificate, click “Browse,” then navigate to the license certificate file that was downloaded as LicenseCert.fmcert. Select the file.
Connect to your database.
Claris FileMaker 19 Technical Specifications
*The operating system for your Mac needs to be macOS Catalina 10.15 or macOS Mojave 10.14
**The operating system for PC are Windows 8.1 Standard and Pro Edition (64-bit only), or Windows 10 Enterprise and Pro Editions (64-bit only)
We sincerely hope that this article helps you bypass any installation issues. If you are still unable to install FileMaker, contact AppWorks and we will be happy to assist you.
Is your FileMaker Pro 19 installation running as a trial license despite adding the license certificate?
In the process of setting up a machine for a client recently, we encountered an issue where FileMaker Pro 19 was installed, with the license certificate in the downloads folder as it should be, but we were asked for the license certificate each time the app was launched. And when it did launch, the app was in trial mode with an expiration date. But wait, we have a valid license...
Specifications
We've not encountered this with the multitude of other installations we've done of late, so some noteworthy specifications of the set up under which this happened:
Filemaker Server 16 2b License Key Code
- Brand new 2020 Mac Mini
- Catalina 10.15.5
- FileMaker Server 19.0.1.103a was installed on the machine first
- FileMaker Pro 19.0.1.116 was being installed in case maintenance was required
The Issue
Each time we launched FileMaker Pro, this would pop up:
And so we would dutifully click the Enter License... button.
And then go browse for our LicenseCert.fmcert file, click open and the application would open. But if we go to the menu:
FileMaker Pro > About FileMaker Pro...
we'd see this:
We know what you're thinking, because we were thinking it too - what the...?
The Fix
The fix required a lengthy call and screenshare with Claris Tech Support. It turns out one of the bug fixing team members has come across this issue only once or twice, so it is pretty rare. The issue is related to the folders created during installation in the following folder:
The above screenshot is not what should be in that FileMaker folder. How that folder structure came to be, we have no idea. Again this was a brand new computer with just FileMaker Server installed and configured, and then the drag and drop installation of FileMaker Pro.
So, to fix it, we need to get the right folders and files in that location. There is a zip file available for download here.
BEFORE WE PROCEED, the usual and important disclaimer that you should have a backup of your computer and any tinkering under the hood is entirely at your own risk.
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And MORE IMPORTANTLY, if you have installations of other versions of FileMaker, your folders may have additional items in them, so proceed with even more caution and the steps below should not be followed as you'll likely delete files required for other versions. You're welcome to contact us and we can help.
So, if FileMaker Pro 19 is the only version installed, download the zip file and unzip it if it doesn't do that automatically. Once unzipped, you will have a folder called FileMaker. Delete the FileMaker folder located at:
Your Mac is not going to like you doing this so you'll need to authenticate with the administrator password. Then take your unzipped FileMaker folder that you downloaded and drop it in the same location. Again, you'll need to authenticate. You should end up with this:
Filemaker Server 16 2b License Key Generator
There's one more thing you'll need to do. Go find your LicenseCert.fmcert file, copy it and paste it into that last 19.0 folder where all those other files are. Now when you open FileMaker Pro, you should not be prompted for the license certificate and if you open the About window you should see your own license details instead of the wacky random characters from before.
Conclusion
This is hopefully a fairly rare issue and not many users will encounter it, but worthwhile documenting the fix for those that may. As always, if you need help with this then don't hesitate to get in touch.
If you need help with your FileMaker app, or want to save money on your licensing of Claris products, contact us and we'll be glad to assist. And if you're not keeping an eye on your FileMaker Server, you should be! Consider signing up for OverwatchFM, our FileMaker Server monitoring service, and get alerts on storage space issues, backups failing, low memory, process crashes and more.