Upgrading from Claris FileMaker 19
Overview
Release Date: May 2020
End Of Life: Dec 2024
Update Releases: 19.1, 19.2, 19.3, 19.4, 19.5, & 19.6
File format: .fmp12
Key Release Features
🔌 1. JavaScript Web Viewer Integration
- Game-changer for UI: Developers could now natively embed and interact with JavaScript libraries in a Web Viewer. Examples: Charts (like Chart.js), calendars, maps, custom controls.
- Bidirectional communication between FileMaker scripts and JavaScript opened new possibilities for user experiences.
🧩 2. Add-ons and Drag-and-Drop Components
- Introduced modular add-ons that could be dragged into apps, such as calendars, photo galleries, and kanban boards.
- Allowed rapid prototyping and reusability of components across solutions.
☁️ 3. Enhanced Cloud Hosting (FileMaker Cloud)
- Expanded functionality for FileMaker Cloud on Claris’ AWS-hosted platform.
- Improved performance, backup management, and OAuth 2.0 integration for secure sign-in.
🧠 4. Machine Learning Support (Core ML on macOS & iOS)
- FileMaker 19 introduced support for Apple’s Core ML framework.
- Enabled native use of machine learning models for image classification, sentiment analysis, and more—directly from FileMaker Go or macOS.
🧰 5. Improved Scripting with ‘Perform Script on Server with Callback’
- Enabled asynchronous server-side scripting with a client-side callback, improving performance and user experience in web or mobile apps.
🧪 6. Open Platform via REST APIs and cURL
- FileMaker 19 continued to expand on the Data API, enabling more robust integration with external services and web apps.
📱 7. Improved Mobile App Experience
- Performance and UI enhancements for FileMaker Go, with better touch support and integration with iOS features.
🔐 8. OAuth 2.0 Enhancements
- Improved security with more identity provider support, including Microsoft Azure AD, Google, and Amazon.
🔧 9. Custom App Deployment Tools
- Developers could use FileMaker Pro Advanced to build apps with more control over deployment and modularity.
Known Security issues:
CVE-2024-27790 (affects versions before 19.6)
https://fm-security.com/posts/bypass_auth/
Ready to upgrade from Claris FileMaker 19?
DataTherapy have provided several high-level guides to upgrading from FileMaker 19:
FileMaker 2024
https://www.datatherapy.com/planning-your-upgrade-to-claris-filemaker-2024-platform
FileMaker 2023
https://www.datatherapy.com/planning-your-upgrade-to-claris-filemaker-2023-platform
At DataTherapy, we help organisations get the most out of the Claris FileMaker platform. We’re a UK-based team of fully employed professionals—no freelancers—and all our developers are Certified Claris FileMaker Experts. As a Claris Platinum Partner, we’re trusted by businesses across the UK to deliver robust, scalable systems that power growth and performance. We can provide assistance in licensing, upgrading, supporting, cloud hosting and developing Claris FileMaker systems.
