GEDitMobile iPhone App

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John Nairn, Developer

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Jan 21, 2026, 12:51:37 PMJan 21
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I’m pleased to let you know that GEDitMobile, a new free-to-download iPhone and iPad app designed to view GEDCOM files from any source with features is now available in the App Store. I worked with the developer of GEDitMobile to make it work especially well with GEDCOM files exported with GEDitCOM II. By using the new option in GEDitCOM II's "Share GEDCOM File" extension for "Will Open in GEDitMobile on an iPhone", GEDitMobile will load multimedia images (be decoding GEDitCOM II thumbnails) and support custom records such as Place records. Here is more detail from the GEDitMobile developer:

GEDitMobile provides a fast, convenient way to browse, search, and explore your genealogy data on iOS devices. It is designed to work directly with any standard GEDCOM 5.5.1 files. It works especially well with GEDCOM files exported from GEDitCOM II (using above export method).  

The free version of GEDitMobile is full featured but limits record viewing to 50 records.  An in-app purchase for unlimited record viewing is available.

With GEDitMobile, you can:

* Browse individual, families, places, sources, notes, and other records for large files

* View embedded photos and documents (provided the GEDCOM came from GEDitCOM II with embedded thumbnails)

* Carry your genealogy data with you on your iPhone or iPad

* Create personal notes on any record while on your mobile device

* Import those notes back into GEDitCOM II as standard NOTE records

GEDitMobile is not a live sync or editing system for your main GEDCOM file; instead, it lets you add mobile notes linked to any record that can later be incorporated into your master. When using GEDitCOM II, you can automate importing of iPhone notes using the "Import iPhone Notes" extension now available on geditcom.com

You can export a GEDCOM from any family history software that supports the format, including GEDitCOM II, and then transfer it to GEDitMobile using iCloud Drive, AirDrop, Files, or Finder. Once imported, the data remains local on your device.

If you are interested, you can find GEDitMobile in the App Store by searching for “GEDitMobile,” or "GEDCOM viewer" or by visiting "geditmobile.com" for more information and support.

Regards,
Grant Smith (GEDitMobile) and John Nairn (GEDitCOM II)

Tim Hodgson

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Jan 21, 2026, 2:18:56 PMJan 21
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Thanks for letting us know about this. Just to avoid confusion, people should be aware that the new app’s full title is "GEDitMobile - a GEDCOM Viewer”. There’s another app in the store simply called “GEDitMobile”, which appears to be a much older version.

Tim H

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theboo...@gmail.com

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Jan 22, 2026, 12:50:43 PMJan 22
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Thanks John.

Also thanks Tim, for pointing out the other app, which is still there.

I bought the latter some time last year. It has the same logo so probably is an earlier version. I was quite unable to get my GEDCOM into it. Nothing seemed to work and I consigned it to the bin.

The new version doesn't seem to recognize that I had bought the older version. So I'll have to buy it again.

I hope it works this time.

Mick

John Nairn, Developer

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Jan 22, 2026, 1:07:43 PMJan 22
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I had that confusion too and checked with developer. The original "GEDitMobile" was kicked of the app store several years ago by Apple (I don't know why). But if you previously downloaded or purchased the old one, Apple will return a search result showing it is in the "cloud". People that did not have the old one should see only the new one.

The current "GEDitMobile" is a complete rewrite using Apple tools and the Swift language. I helped the developer test with many GEDCOM files including a "torture test" file that has every possible GEDCOM tag. I tried some of my own and they worked including thumbnails of all images. If any of you try and can't get a GEDCOM from GEDItCOM II to GEDitMobile, you can send me the GEDCOM file and I can try to figure out why and let the developer know (or test if GEDitCOM II export caused it). You can also try the sample "Windsors" file (which is based on Windsors file that comes with GEDitCOM II) included in GEDitMobile.

John Nairn

John Nairn, Developer

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Jan 22, 2026, 6:37:28 PMJan 22
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It is also helpful to let us know if you get good results with GEDitMobile.

John Nairn
Message has been deleted

theboo...@gmail.com

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Jan 22, 2026, 7:43:29 PMJan 22
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t was still on the Australian App Store, last month. Not long after John said it was coming soon, I had a look, and there it was - or so I thought.

So I bought it on 4 December 2025, as attached invoice shows (Name and address details removed).

The Windsors file was there, and worked, but I couldn't get my GEDCOM into it.

I'll give the new version a go, but perhaps Grant needs to check with non-US app stores that the old one is removed.

Cheers

MickPreview 2026-01-23 10.43.00.png

John Nairn, Developer

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Jan 22, 2026, 8:01:03 PMJan 22
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Interesting,. Apple is not very clear in how they handle these things.

To be somewhat clear, the old GEDitMobile was $7.99 but the new GEDitMobile does NOT require any payment to try it out. You can download and import your data to see if it works. If you are satisfied it will work, an in-app purchase will unlock viewing any size file.

John

theboo...@gmail.com

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Jan 22, 2026, 8:24:35 PMJan 22
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Thanks John.

I was able to import my GEDCOM into the new version all right. It seemed to work fine on my phone, so I bought it and can now see all my records. So all good.

I'll try it on my iPad later, and report back once I've got a proper handle on it.

Cheers

Mick

theboo...@gmail.com

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Jan 24, 2026, 9:48:50 PMJan 24
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Some feedback.

I have purchased GeditMobile and it is on my phone and my iPad. Installation and getting my GEDCOM into it, was very straightforward. I've now had a chance to play with it for a few days

It is shaping up rather well, and I congratulate John and Grant on this. I think it might well be very useful. Certainly it's much better than the previous GEDCOM viewer. that I had.

There are a few issues, for me anyway: I may be missing something, of course. Won't be the first time. If so, I'm sure you'll let me know.

Search is a bit clunky. In fact, so far as I can see, the only way to find a record from a long list is to use the fast scroll bar which gets you there pretty quickly, but not very precisely. An actual search option would be good.

Help is only available via the front screen. It would be good if it was available from any screen.

The Open and Delete database buttons are too close together. Even being asked to Confirm, after accidentally pressing the wrong button, didn't stop me deleting the file when I was half asleep.

Best

Mick

Doug Hardie

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Jan 24, 2026, 9:53:46 PMJan 24
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I purchased the app, but when trying to open my file, it just crashes. no messages. I have sent the file to the developer, but haven't heard anything back yet.

-- Doug


Doug Hardie

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Jan 25, 2026, 3:21:36 AMJan 25
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Jim Eggert

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Jan 25, 2026, 2:51:01 PMJan 25
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I downloaded the new GEDitMobile app also. Trying to import my main research database in GEDCOM format (about 48,000 individuals), the app does an initial parse (blue progress bar) quickly, and a second parse (red progress bar) about 60%, then it slows way down and crashes.

So I tried on a much smaller database (322 individuals). Here I had greater success. So I think that the app doesn’t handle large databases well.

The app has some problems, but it is a good start. I will contact the developer with my specific problems.

=Jim

> On Jan 24, 2026, at 9:53 PM, Doug Hardie <bc...@lafn.org> wrote:
>
> I purchased the app, but when trying to open my file, it just crashes. no messages. I have sent the file to the developer, but haven't heard anything back yet.
>
> -- Doug
>
>
> --
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theboo...@gmail.com

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Jan 25, 2026, 4:37:53 PMJan 25
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Just to add some more numbers. Jim crashed with 48,000 individuals. I was able to import around 6,500 individuals without issues.

Richard Blake

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Jan 25, 2026, 8:34:55 PMJan 25
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I am trying to import a gedcom file but having difficulty. My file is stored in iCloud. I select iCloud in the app and browse to where my gedcom file is but it is greyed out so I can’t select it to import. Any thoughts from anyone who has managed to complete this.

I have gone through all the checks that the app has iCloud access etc.

Richard

> On 25 Jan 2026, at 09:51, 'Jim Eggert' via GEDitCOM II Discussions <geditcom-ii...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
>
> I downloaded the new GEDitMobile app also. Trying to import my main research database in GEDCOM format (about 48,000 individuals), the app does an initial parse (blue progress bar) quickly, and a second parse (red progress bar) about 60%, then it slows way down and crashes.
> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/geditcom-ii-discussions/B6440606-1F54-4197-90BB-2859F8187EC1%40verizon.net.

theboo...@gmail.com

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Jan 25, 2026, 9:27:05 PMJan 25
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Now you mention ti Richard, the same thing happened to me. My database is on my Macbook but I tried to transfer it via iCloud, but couldn't. So I just AirDropped it onto my phone and iPad, which worked well.

Maybe there is an issue with iCloud.

Mick

Doug Hardie

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Jan 25, 2026, 9:39:26 PMJan 25
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Martha McSherry

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Jan 26, 2026, 7:30:43 AMJan 26
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I’ve had the same issue and am glad I’m not alone.  I have a number of GEDCOMs in a folder on iCloud and all of them are grayed out.  I can’t find any files on my iCloud that aren’t grayed out.
Martha

On Jan 25, 2026, at 9:27 PM, theboo...@gmail.com <theboo...@gmail.com> wrote:



gdsmi...@gmail.com

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Jan 27, 2026, 9:46:19 AM (14 days ago) Jan 27
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Hi all, I'm the developer of GEDitMobile.  If you have difficulties or suggestions, please email me at gdsmi...@gmail.com.  If your gedcom file doesn't open,  you can email it to me there and I will look into it.  If it's too large email may baulk (Doug this could have happened to yours I never received an email, try again?).  For larger files send me a google drive, iCloud or Dropbox link.

I have added a Help link to most windows as well as a jump to for individual, family, place and note record lists.  These will appear with the next version.

Thanks for you patience and feedback,

Grant
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