Recent updates
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Download and Install LCFM Native
Updated onArticleWelcome to LCFM Native!
The LCFM Native tool allows you to convert your FileMaker solutions to native standalone applications. In this build the supported deployment platforms are Mac, Android and iOS.
LCFM Native requires Mac OS Mojave or greater to run, there is no Windows version at present.
This guide will provide detailed instructions with screenshots for each step you have to take in order to convert your FileMaker solutions to native Mac, Android and iOS standalone apps that do not require anything else to run.
Knowledge Base LCFM Native Guide Basic Setup and Installing the Tool
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Syncing Checklist Steps 2 and 3. Open and Set Password and Permissions for Gateway
Updated onArticleLCFM Native has created a gateway solution for your app. This allows it to communicate with the original FileMaker solution, and pass data back and forth between your new Native app and your original solution. Both the Gateway, and your original solution, must be hosted on your FileMaker Server.
Knowledge Base LCFM Native Guide Regular Start - Adding Syncing
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Extracting Data Without Sync
Updated onArticleIf you are creating a completely offline app, you may want to extract data but not set up syncing. This article covers that process.
Knowledge Base LCFM Native Guide Regular Start - Adding Syncing
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Fine Tuning - Android Platform Settings
Updated onArticleOn the advanced Android settings screen you can choose a variety of options, add icons, choose the minimum OS version you want to support, select architectures and sign your app.
Knowledge Base LCFM Native Guide Deploying Apps
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Setting up Localhost
Updated onArticleYou may already have FileMaker Server up and running with a host available for use with LCFM Native. If you do, simply enter your FileMaker Server address in the appropriate field. You should use the domain name format and omit the "http" part. So if my FMS address is https://myserver.myfilemakerserver.com I would enter myserver.myfilemakerserver.com.
If not, you can set up a test environment by installing FileMaker Server on your computer and setting it to use localhost. Here's how.
Knowledge Base LCFM Native Guide Regular Start - Preparing to Add Syncing
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Failed to login to remote Database
Updated onArticleIf you have built a standalone app with syncing turned on, and you get an error something like "Failed to login to remote database - 802 - Unable to open file", it probably indicates your setup is not complete.
This can happen if you have not uploaded the gateway (interface) solution to FMS, or if any of the server settings (address, username or password) are incorrect. Check the lessons on setting up your gateway, uploading to the server, setting your fmrest permissions and make sure your Data API is turned on. Remember you must upload both the original FileMaker solution and the gateway (interface) solution to the server. Both must have passwords set, and they must match. It is also worth checking that the admin account for the original and interface gateway file matches. For example, if your account for the original file is using "myspecialadmin" as the username, and the interface file has defaulted to "admin" as the username, access will fail.
If all of this is set up correctly, check that your app is able to contact the server ie you are on a working network and no firewall is blocking access.
Knowledge Base LCFM Native Guide Troubleshooting
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License definitions
Updated onArticleLCFM Native requires end user licensing. This article covers what we mean by each type of licensing and what constitutes fair use, with some examples.
You can read our complete EULA here.
Knowledge Base LCFM Native Guide Addendum: licensing terms
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Android Standalone won't install on my device
Updated onArticleThis can happen because the device is set to allow installation only from apps downloaded from the Play Store. To change that, go to the device Settings and choose Allow installation of apps from unknown sources. See this lesson for step by step instructions.
Knowledge Base LCFM Native Guide Troubleshooting
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My device isn't in the list of connected devices
Updated onArticleThis can happen for a number of reasons. In short, you have to make sure that Java 8 is installed, the Android SDK Tools are installed, and USB debugging is enabled in the Android device:
1. In the Android device, go to Developer Options. How to reach Developer Options depends on the device and/or Android version. Usually it is in Settings -> System -> Developer options. In the Developer Options, there is section named "Debugging". In this section, there is an option "USB Debugging - Debug mode when USB is connected". Make sure you turn this ON.
2. Make sure you have installed Android SDK Tools.
Notes:
(a) The "parent" folder containing the Android SDK should contain the following folders:
- build-tools
- platform-tools
- platforms
- tools
(b) The platform-tools folder includes a tool called "adb", which is responsible for connecting the Android device to the computer.
4. Now that you have installed the Android JDK and the Android SDK correctly, and you have enabled USB Debugging in the device, connect the device to your computer. You should see a dialog in the device asking you if you Trust this computer. Select Yes. Note that this dialog comes from the USB Debugging option, and it is not related to the Android Smart Lock. Thus the name of the computer will not appear in the list of trusted devices in the Smart Lock menu.
5. Now, if you navigate to the "Deployment" screen of LCFM Native, and the Android device is connected with USB to the computer, you should see the device identifier in the "Target Device" dropdown.
Knowledge Base LCFM Native Guide Troubleshooting
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The deployed app is just a blank screen
Updated onArticleThis can happen when the initial app sync is either syncing a lot of data (in which case waiting should resolve the issue) or it is failing to connect. Ensure your server config settings are correct on the Deploy Server screen. In particular, localhost will work as the server address for macOS and iOS apps, but not for Android. Your FMS console should show you the actual IP address.
Knowledge Base LCFM Native Guide Troubleshooting