Client Installation on Mac

This article guides you through installing and launching the farmerswife Desktop Client on macOS.

Current version: 7.4 SP2

Key Points to Note

• Server and Client applications must both run the same version. Check with your systems admin which version your Server is running.
• On Apple Silicon Macs (M1 and later), the farmerswife Client runs using Apple's Rosetta 2, and macOS will offer to install it the first time you open the Client. To check whether your Mac has Apple Silicon, open the Apple menu > About This Mac and look for Chip (Apple Silicon) or Processor (Intel). A native Apple Silicon version is planned for early 2027, before Apple ends general Rosetta support in autumn 2027. If you'd like to join the beta programme, please contact support@farmerswife.com.
• macOS 10.14 Mojave or newer is required. See macOS Compatibility below.

Step 1: Download and Install the Client

1. Download the installer to your Desktop:
   • Retina Client (default): fw_client_v704-SP2.dmg
   • Non-Retina Client (optional): fw_client_v704-SP2-nonretina.dmg
   • Not sure which to choose? See Retina vs Non-Retina Client below.
2. Double-click the .dmg file to open it.
3. Drag the farmerswife Client icon into the Applications folder and wait for it to finish copying.
4. Close the installer window and eject the farmerswife installer disk.

Step 2: First Launch

The first time you open the Client, macOS may block it. The steps to allow it depend on your macOS version. You only need to do this once.

macOS 15 Sequoia and later (including 26.x Tahoe and 27.x Golden Gate)

1. Double-click the farmerswife Client in the Applications folder. When macOS says it can't be opened, click Done.
2. Open System Settings > Privacy & Security.
3. Scroll down to the Security section, where you'll see a message that the farmerswife Client was blocked.
4. Click Open Anyway and enter your administrator password if asked.
5. Click Open to confirm.

macOS 11 Big Sur to macOS 14 Sonoma

1. Open the Applications folder.
2. Right-click (or Control-click) the farmerswife Client application.
3. Select Open, then click Open again to confirm.

Apple Silicon Macs: Installing Rosetta

If macOS asks you to install Rosetta when you open the Client, click Install and follow the prompts. You only need to do this once per Mac.

Step 3: Connect to Your Server

If you upgraded or reinstalled the Client, your connection details are usually kept. If you're asked to enter them:

• Locally hosted Server: ask your IT administrator for the Server IP address.
• Cloud-hosted Server: contact support@farmerswife.com.

Once you have your connection details:

1. Open the Client and click the cog button at the top right of the Login window.
2. Click the green + icon at the top left to add a new Server connection, or select an existing one from the list to edit it.
3. Click OK to return to the Login window, and log in with your user credentials.

For more detail, see Configure your Server-Client Connection.

macOS Compatibility

How to Check Your macOS Version

1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Select About This Mac.
3. Note the macOS name and version number (for example, macOS Sonoma 14.x).

Supported macOS Versions

The same installer is used for all supported macOS versions.

* Upgrading your Mac to macOS 26.x Tahoe or 27.x Golden Gate? These require farmerswife Server and Client 7.2 SP2 (7.2.1002) or later. Check with your systems admin which version your Server is running, and make sure farmerswife is upgraded before upgrading macOS. macOS 27.x Golden Gate only runs on Apple Silicon Macs, so the Client will run using Rosetta 2 (see Key Points above).

Unsupported macOS Versions

Since version 7.0, farmerswife no longer supports 32-bit systems or macOS 10.13 High Sierra and earlier (including macOS 10.12 Sierra and OS X 10.11 El Capitan). To run farmerswife 7.0 or later on one of these systems, please upgrade to macOS 10.14 Mojave or newer first.

Retina vs Non-Retina Client

Retina Client (default)

• Optimised for Retina displays, with a sharper, clearer interface.
• Supported on all Macs running macOS Mojave or later.
• On very large Retina displays, performance may feel slightly slower.

Non-Retina Client (optional)

• Faster and more responsive, with slightly less sharp text.
• Installer file: fw_client_v704-SP2-nonretina.dmg

If you experience performance issues with the Retina Client, you may wish to use the Non-Retina Client instead.

Font Smoothing (Retina Client)

Some users may notice blurry fonts when using the Retina Client. This is related to the macOS Font Smoothing setting.

macOS 10.15 Catalina and earlier

1. Open System Preferences and select General.
2. Turn font smoothing on or off:
   • On: fonts appear thicker (may look blurry)
   • Off: fonts appear thinner and clearer

macOS 11 Big Sur and later

Apple removed the font smoothing option from System Preferences in macOS 11 Big Sur. It can still be changed using Terminal.

⚠️ Warning: Using Terminal is recommended for advanced macOS users only. If unsure, please consult your IT administrator. farmerswife does not support third-party Terminal commands.

If you have any questions about installing farmerswife on macOS, please contact support@farmerswife.com.