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.GED file extension

To open .GED files on Windows, install a GEDCOM-capable genealogy program (for example, Gramps).

To open a .GED file, import it into a GEDCOM-compatible genealogy program (for example, Gramps). If it won’t open, the file may be a different GEDCOM version than your app supports or it may be mislabeled.

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Last updated: April 30, 2026 · Reviewed by Julian Stricker

Open on your device

Choose your operating system for a dedicated step-by-step opening guide.

How to open .GED files

Use these platform-specific instructions to open .GED files safely.

Windows

  1. Install a GEDCOM-capable genealogy program (for example, Gramps).
  2. Open the program and use its Import function to import the .GED file (don’t just double-click if it opens in the wrong app).
  3. If the import fails, check whether the file is a newer FamilySearch GEDCOM 7.x export and try updating your genealogy program or exporting again in a different GEDCOM version.
Full Windows guide

Mac

  1. Install a GEDCOM-capable genealogy program (for example, Gramps).
  2. Use File > Import (or the program’s import workflow) to import the .GED file into a new or existing tree.
  3. If the file opens as plain text in a text editor, that’s normal—switch to a genealogy app to view it as a family tree.
Full Mac guide

Linux

  1. Install a GEDCOM-capable genealogy program (for example, Gramps).
  2. Import the .GED file from within the program (typical workflow: create/open a tree, then import).
  3. If you need to inspect the contents, you can open it in a text editor, but use a genealogy app for correct interpretation.
Full Linux guide

iOS

  1. There is no guaranteed built-in iOS support for GEDCOM: if the Files app can’t preview it, transfer the .GED to a desktop GEDCOM program (for example, Gramps) and import it there.
Full iOS guide

Android

  1. There is no guaranteed built-in Android support for GEDCOM: if it won’t open, transfer the .GED to a desktop GEDCOM program (for example, Gramps) and import it there.
Full Android guide

Security notes

  • A .GED file is typically plain text data, but opening untrusted GEDCOM in genealogy software can still be risky if the importer has vulnerabilities; only import files from people/sites you trust.
  • Be cautious with GEDCOM downloads that are actually archives (for example, GEDCOM+ZIP): inspect/extract them carefully and avoid unexpected extra files.
  • GEDCOM files can contain notes and source fields that include external links; treat links as untrusted and verify before opening them.

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Can't open this file?

These are the most common causes and fixes when .GED files fail to open.

Common reasons

  • The .GED file opens as unreadable text or “gibberish”
  • Import fails or data is missing after import
  • Windows/macOS opens the .GED in the wrong application
  • The file appears to be a ZIP or won’t open until extracted

Fix steps

  1. Open a genealogy program and use Import rather than double-clicking the file.
  2. If you must review it manually, search for recognizable tokens like names and dates, but rely on a GEDCOM importer for correct structure.

OS-specific troubleshooting

What is a .GED file?

.GED is the recommended filename extension for a FamilySearch GEDCOM data stream used to exchange genealogical data (people, families, events, sources) between programs. GEDCOM files are typically plain-text structured records rather than word-processor “documents.” Different GEDCOM versions exist (including older 5.5/5.5.1 and newer FamilySearch GEDCOM 7.x), and compatibility can vary by software.

Background

GEDCOM (Genealogical Data Communication) is a widely used interchange format in genealogy for sharing family tree data between different products and services. The FamilySearch GEDCOM specification explicitly recommends using the “.ged” extension for GEDCOM data streams, which is why you commonly see family tree exports as .ged files.

Common MIME types: text/vnd.familysearch.gedcom

Further reading

Authoritative resources for more details on the .GED format.

Common .GED issues

The .GED file opens as unreadable text or “gibberish”

GEDCOM is a structured plain-text interchange format meant to be imported by genealogy software; reading it directly in a text editor can be confusing even when the file is valid.

  1. Open a genealogy program and use Import rather than double-clicking the file.
  2. If you must review it manually, search for recognizable tokens like names and dates, but rely on a GEDCOM importer for correct structure.

Import fails or data is missing after import

GEDCOM version differences and varying support for tags/fields can cause partial imports, especially between older GEDCOM 5.5/5.5.1 exports and newer FamilySearch GEDCOM 7.x.

  1. Update your genealogy program to the latest version it offers and try the import again.
  2. If you control the export source, re-export in a different GEDCOM version (for example, try 5.5.1 vs 7.x) and re-import.
  3. Test the .GED in another GEDCOM-capable program (for example, Gramps) to determine whether the file or the importer is the issue.

Windows/macOS opens the .GED in the wrong application

Operating systems may associate .ged with a text editor or an unrelated app, which doesn’t provide a family-tree view.

  1. Open your genealogy program first, then use its Import command to select the .GED file.
  2. Optionally change the default app association, but importing from within the genealogy app is usually more reliable.

The file appears to be a ZIP or won’t open until extracted

GEDCOM can be distributed as a zipped format with a registered media type (GEDCOM+ZIP); some systems may not show it clearly as an archive.

  1. If the file is actually a ZIP (or has a .zip extension), extract it and look for a .ged inside.
  2. After extraction, import the .ged into your genealogy program.

FAQ

Is a .GED file a “document” like Word or PDF?

Usually no. A .GED file is most commonly a GEDCOM genealogy data exchange file that you import into family history software to view as a tree.

Can I fix a .GED by renaming the extension?

Renaming rarely helps. Use a GEDCOM-compatible program to import it, or re-export it from the source system in a GEDCOM version your program supports.

What are the official media types for GEDCOM?

IANA registers GEDCOM-related media types including text/vnd.familysearch.gedcom and application/vnd.familysearch.gedcom+zip.

What program can open a .GED file?

Use a genealogy program that supports GEDCOM import/export. Gramps is a well-documented example of GEDCOM support.

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