# Branches Pro — Your Family Tree on iPad

> iPad genealogy app for viewing and downloading FamilySearch family trees. (iPhone/iPad app by Sherwood Electronics Laboratories, Inc..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/branches-pro/id778124225 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Sherwood Electronics Laboratories, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/778124228)
- Category: Productivity, Lifestyle
- Price: $1.99
- Rating: 3.50/5 from 6 App Store ratings · 12 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 10.3 · 7 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2014-03-05
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/branches-pro/id778124225/reviews.md

## What is Branches Pro?

Branches PRO for iPad is a GEDCOM viewer and downloader of FamilySearch™ family trees. 

The new and expanded features of Branches for iPad now make Branches even easier to use and more powerful.  Email and DropBox transfer of GEDCOM files has been added and is easy and fast. 

The FamilySearch™ features allow you to download pedigree trees directly from FamilySearch™ which is a free service to everyone.  Explore relationships and search back into your family tree. 

Also added is access for LDS members to see ordinance data and search for temple ready ordinances for their ancestors. Find any ancestor and go directly to that person's information on the FamilySearch™ website. 

As a further enhancement, you can now create a GEDCOM file from any information you have downloaded from FamilySearch™ and email the file to yourself or others.

Branches for iPad is the BEST and MOST UNIQUE family tree viewer available.  No other viewer can do what Branches for iPad does. It is like Apple Maps™ for your family history and genealogy.  You can see your entire family tree in a GLOBAL VIEW.   Just zoom in to see all the “street level” details like relationships, events, photos, sources, notes and documents.

Branches is unlike other viewers, it is simple yet very powerful. We use patented methods so you can focus on the pure data in your genealogy database.  This helps you visualize modern complex relationships including multiple marriages and adoptions. It also shows you where you have data and where you are missing data.
 
As you zoom into the detail of your tree, there is a map of your entire tree in the upper left hand corner of your screen  so you know exactly where you are, at all times. You never get lost.  

We added powerful search capabilities for names, places and text so you can pinpoint where the search results are located in your tree.

Branches for iPad is the only viewer that can do all of these things:
      See a global view of your family tree
      Understand and simplify complex relationships
      Never get lost by using the Mini-Map of your tree
      Easily see events, sources, notes, documents and photos
      Bookmark a view so you can come back to it at anytime
      View your tree from other perspectives using different root persons
      Discover lines coming forward using descendent views
      Show intermarriages between family lines
      Find people, places and text very quickly anywhere in your data
      And much more...

Branches for iPad accepts any standard GEDCOM file (a file created by genealogy programs to transfer data between programs), so you don’t have to use any specific genealogy program to benefit from this app. Because of it’s graphical nature, Branches for iPad handles GEDCOM files up to about 20,000 persons, but you can have as many GEDCOM files as you wish. You can also have multiple trees in each GEDCOM. 

We know you will be amazed at how fun and useful Branches for iPad can be.  

IMPORTANT NOTE! 
Branches for iPad is a GEDCOM viewer.  YOU CANNOT DIRECTLY ENTER INFORMATION INTO BRANCHES ON YOUR IPAD. Unless information is downloaded from FamilySearch, you must have another computer program to generate a GEDCOM file to put your information on your iPad in Branches. You can use Branches for Windows or Branches Pro for Apple or any other genealogy program to create the GEDCOM file.

## Key features

- GEDCOM viewer and downloader
- FamilySearch tree integration
- Global tree view with zoom
- Complex relationship simplification
- Mini-map for navigation
- Search by name, place, and text
- Create and email GEDCOM files

## Recent user reviews (10 of 12)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/branches-pro/id778124225/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Still under active development?

*2023-03-17*

I love this program on my iPad. I see it has not been updated in 9 months. Is the program still under active development?

### 3/5 — Help...Password not letting me sign in

*2020-03-03, version 5.3*

I tried to sign in on my family search.
I even changed the password 
Please fix

**Developer response:** Please contact us at branches help.com and we can help you.

### 5/5 — Terrific app

*2018-08-16, version 5.0*

I've been compiling genealogy data for years, but this app is a tremendous addition for my research. It allows you to load a GEDCOM file and easily zoom into any portion of it. It has allowed me to spot inconsistencies and possible lines of further research which would have otherwise been difficult to spot.

### 2/5 — So-so

*2016-07-05, version 2.8*

Usable for reading a GEDCOM file, as long as it isn't huge. Downloads erroneous/outdated info from Family Search tree, for some reason, which doesn't match what's currently posted there.

### 5/5 — New Perspective on the Old Family Tree

*2016-01-24, version 2.5*

I love the perspective on my large tree this app gives me. It's easier to see the relationships among people including collaterals. It's a different view than the standard tree, makes you see things differently and may lead to fresh insight. And ALL your information is right there, every piece, as well as the sources. It a viewer, not an editor. I've had it about a year, find it very useful. I also have the PC version.

### 5/5 — Best Family Tree Viewer Yet

*2015-04-17, version 2.2*

After using Branches to view my family tree, I am never going back to other viewers. LOVE zooming in and out on my pedigree. I hated getting lost when digging into my family history. It is cool to be able to zoom out when I am 12 generations back and visually see the line I have followed. Really like being able to zoom out to find lines that end and need some research done. The visibility I have into siblings off of people in my direct line is great.  The latest integrations to FamilySearch.org are way awesome too. I highly recommend this app. Way to go Sherwood Labs, you guys did it right.

### 5/5 — Branches

*2015-04-15, version 2.2*

As an avid Family History (Genealogy) individual, I like playing with an assortment of genealogy programs.  I have several that I use for various reasons.  Thus, when Branches for iPad became available I purchased the program.
I found it innovative, easy to use, and the larger I made the person with whom I was working, the more information became available.  It was superb!  I love seeing the various branches of my family as I enlarge the view.  I love the fact that it is easy to use with the Family Search program.  
What a wonderful service this program is to all those who work with their Family Histories!

### 5/5 — Great app

*2015-04-07, version 2.1*

The negative reviewers are up in the night! Or they can’t read.  

I loaded gedcoms from three different programs and they all loaded just fine. One I loaded with DropBox, the other two via email. To get the photos in, I had to read the help file.  Used iTunes file sharing.   Worked just like the instructions said. 

The zoom feature with the map is quite unique and original.  Also played around with the search.  Very powerful.  

Just for fun, I signed onto FamilySearch through the app.  Had to set up a new account with FamilySearch.  Downloaded trees from several famous persons.  Really fun.  

I did read that for members of the LDS Church, the app will search out people who need temple work,  whatever that is.   

Overall, the app performed just like the examples.  I give it 5 stars.  Sorry negative guys,  but I did not see any of the problems you mentioned.  I agree with the reviewers who gave this a positive rating.

### 1/5 — Junk!

*2015-03-25*

I tried importing a Gedcom created in Family Tree Maker and all I got was a bunch of disjointed Trees and I could not even navigate them. Save your money!

### 4/5 — Finally! Family tree simplified!

*2014-11-18, version 1.3*

I really like this app. Like everything Apple, I found it to be intuitive to use.  The global view was a huge help to me given how widespread & relatively convoluted my family's ancestry was/is. The search capabilities are also as promised... a huge help.

## Frequently asked questions about Branches Pro

### What is Branches Pro?

Branches Pro is an iPad application designed for viewing and downloading family trees from FamilySearch. It allows users to explore their genealogy, visualize complex relationships, and manage GEDCOM files.

### How much does Branches Pro cost?

Branches Pro is a paid application, available for a one-time purchase of $1.99.

### What devices is Branches Pro compatible with?

Branches Pro is exclusively designed for the iPad.

### Can I use Branches Pro offline?

While Branches Pro allows you to download family trees from FamilySearch, the core functionality of viewing and exploring these trees is available offline once the data is on your device.

### How often is Branches Pro updated?

The latest version of Branches Pro was released on May 23, 2022, indicating it receives periodic updates to enhance features and compatibility.

### Does Branches Pro support LDS ordinance data?

Yes, Branches Pro provides access for LDS members to view ordinance data and search for temple-ready ordinances for their ancestors.

### What is the age rating for Branches Pro?

Branches Pro has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users interested in genealogy.

### Can Branches Pro handle large family trees?

Branches Pro can handle GEDCOM files with up to approximately 20,000 individuals due to its graphical nature. Users can manage multiple GEDCOM files if needed.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 5.5 — 2022-05-23

Fix GEDCOM import to handle rare GEDCOM tags

### 5.4 — 2020-05-15

Fixes rare import Gedcom bug.

### 5.3 — 2019-11-22

Upgrade for changes in Catalina.
Upgrade for changes in FamilySearch
Bug fixes.

### 5.2.1 — 2019-11-09

Bug fixes for GEDCOM import.
Updated for new iOS upgrades.

### 5.2 — 2019-10-09

Changes to allow import of larger GEDCOM files.
Bug fix for ascendancy downloads.

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## More apps by Sherwood Electronics Laboratories, Inc.

- [Branches for iPad](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/branches-for-ipad/id1067607646)
- [Branches Game for iPad](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/branches-game-for-ipad/id1190413740)
- [My TIME and MONEY](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/my-time-and-money/id1243011014)
- [Branches Pro for iPhone](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/branches-pro-for-iphone/id1332868260)

All apps by Sherwood Electronics Laboratories, Inc.: https://appshunter.io/developer/778124228

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*
