When using Family Tree Maker 2017, 2019, or 2024, understanding the Sync Weather Status is essential for a smooth syncing experience with Ancestry. Many users get confused when they see changes in the weather status, but knowing what each status means can help you protect your family tree data and avoid potential issues. In this blog, we will explain what Sync Weather is, how it works, what causes changes in the status, and how to sync your tree safely.
What is Sync Weather Status?
Sync Weather Status is a real-time system that monitors the connection between Family Tree Maker and Ancestry. It uses a color-coded weather system—green, orange, and red—to indicate the stability and safety of syncing your tree.
- Green Weather: Sync is fully available. It’s safe to sync your tree.
- Orange Weather: Minor interruptions have been detected. Syncing is possible but not recommended.
- Red Weather: Serious interruptions have occurred. Syncing is temporarily blocked for user safety.
The goal of the sync weather system is to protect your data and prevent sync errors during unstable conditions.
How Does the Sync Weather System Work?
The sync weather system is based on global monitoring points that constantly check the connection between FTM and Ancestry. Here’s how the system responds to connection changes:
- Immediate Red Status: When even a small interruption is detected, the system switches to red weather and temporarily blocks all syncing for five minutes.
- Switching to Orange Status: If no further interruptions occur, the system moves to orange status for one hour to carefully monitor the connection.
- Returning to Green Status: After stable monitoring, the system returns to green status, indicating that it is now safe to sync.
There are times when continuous interruptions keep the sync weather in orange or red for longer periods. During these times, specific details and updates are provided in the Sync Weather window.
Why Does the Sync Weather Change?
It’s important to know that most sync interruptions are beyond Family Tree Maker’s control. Some common causes include:
- Temporary server issues at Ancestry.
- Internet connection disruptions.
- Regional connectivity problems.
- System maintenance by Ancestry or FTM teams.
Family Tree Maker’s engineers work closely with Ancestry to resolve these interruptions quickly and improve the sync system’s stability over time.
How to Sync Your Tree Safely?
To keep your tree safe and avoid data loss, follow these recommended practices:
- Always Create Manual Backups:- Before syncing, make a manual backup of your family tree file. This protects your work in case of unexpected issues.
- Check the Sync Weather Status:- Only sync when the weather status is green for the safest experience.
- Keep Your Software Updated:- Using the latest version of FTM ensures you have the most recent sync system improvements.
- For FTM 2017, the latest update is 23.3.
- For FTM 2019, the latest update is 24.2.
- For FTM 2024, make sure you are using the current version to benefit from all updates.
Bottom Lines
The Sync Weather Status for FTM 2017, 2019, and 2024 is a smart protection system designed to keep your data safe during sync operations. By understanding how it works and following the best syncing practices, you can confidently manage your family tree without worrying about connection issues. If you ever encounter sync problems or need help in understanding the weather status, don’t hesitate to contact FTM Support team for assistance.