Can iCloud store a Filemaker Pro database file?

Filemaker developed by Claris is an Apple Company. Can iCloud store a Filemaker Pro database file? There a basically 2 ways of using Filemaker. One is storing it on Filemaker's own server so that multiple users can access it and it syncs among them. The second is how I use Filemaker (and it seems many others on viewing other forums). I am the only user. I save Filemaker on iCloud and launch it from there (as is done with Numbers, Pages, etc.). I use my iMac (Ventura 13.2.1) at home and when I'm away I use my Macbook Air. No syncing is needed and I have been using Filemaker Pro since 2016 and never had an issue. However I need to upgrade to the latest Filemaker 19 and on asking this same question on their forum some people seem to claim that a Filemaker file can become corrupted when in iCloud. Frankly that sounds like a guess as I have always believed that iCloud acts like an external hard drive. So is it a safe thing to do or not?


iMac 27″ 5K, macOS 13.2

Posted on Mar 24, 2023 01:25 AM

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Posted on Mar 24, 2023 03:33 AM

So the changes to my data are made instantly either on the iMac or on iCloud. I think the warning from some Filemaker users concerns having two instances of the DB opened on different devices at the same time. As I do not work that way and the database syncs with iCloud - no problem.


Thanks again,


Henry

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Mar 24, 2023 03:33 AM in response to muguy

So the changes to my data are made instantly either on the iMac or on iCloud. I think the warning from some Filemaker users concerns having two instances of the DB opened on different devices at the same time. As I do not work that way and the database syncs with iCloud - no problem.


Thanks again,


Henry

Mar 24, 2023 03:18 AM in response to muguy

Thanks Muguy for your reply. The question is not really "can you sync with iCloud"? Filemaker Server allows syncing when 2 or more people are using their special server and Filemaker simultaneously. That can't be done from iCloud due to the way Filemaker works, at least that's what is inferred on the Filemaker (Claris) community page. Although single operators are vastly outnumbered by the thousands of companies that allow multiple users to access Filemaker simultaneously, us single users just store Filemaker in iCloud and run it from there. It is never opened on both my iMac and my Macbook Air at the same time although some Filemaker experts say it is dangerous. I accept that if if open and work on Filemaker on my iMac and on my Macbook air at the same time, I will/may mess up the data but I do not and have never tried to. I hope this explains better the my question.

Mar 24, 2023 03:25 AM in response to Aitchb65

Correct you cannot access the same FileMaker file using iCloud on multiple devices. Your files will still sync with iCloud when you use it. You’re not launching and running the database in iCloud, it’s on your Mac. The actual file changes are committed to iCloud. I’m not sure what kind of integrity issue that might pose as your database synced to iCloud

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Can iCloud store a Filemaker Pro database file?

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