You have just 5 more days to upload your autosomal DNA raw data files from other sites to MyHeritage for entirely free. As of December 1st, MyHeritage is changing their pricing model for uploads and a charge of some sort will be put in place for the more advanced tools.
MyHeritage hasn’t said exactly what that charge will be, whether it will be a one time unlock or a subscription of some sort.
What they HAVE said is that anyone who transfers DNA from any of the other major vendors before December 1st or has transferred in the past will have free access to all of the DNA tools.
Here’s the exact quote from their blog:
As of December 1, 2018, our policy regarding DNA uploads will change: DNA Matching will remain free for uploaded DNA data, but unlocking additional DNA features (for example, ethnicity estimate, chromosome browser, and some others) will require an extra payment for DNA files uploaded after this date. We will announce the full details of the new policy once it is finalized, closer to December 1st. All DNA data that was uploaded to MyHeritage in the past, and all DNA data that is uploaded now and prior to December 1, 2018, will continue to enjoy full access to all DNA features for free. These uploads will be grandfathered in and will remain free.
You can upload multiple files from different people to be managed under one account at MyHeritage. For example, I manage several kits for multiple family members. The e-mails have been flying back and forth the past several days as I’ve been requesting permission to do the free uploads by the end of November. If your family member opens a MyHeritage account someday, you can transfer their results to them – no problem.
You can transfer Ancestry, Family Tree DNA, 23andMe and LivingDNA raw DNA files.
So, click here to upload now while uploads and all tools are still free.
Need help? No problem!
Step-By-Step Upload Instructions
I wrote a step by step guide for how to upload to MyHeritage here, including steps to download from other vendors in the article MyHeritage Step by Step Guide How to Upload-Download DNA Files.
If you haven’t uploaded yet, or have family members whose files you manage that you haven’t uploaded, you don’t want to wait. The clock is tick-tocking! Upload now so you don’t forget like I almost did.
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Disclosure
I receive a small contribution when you click on some (but not all) of the links to vendors in my articles. This does NOT increase the price you pay but helps me to keep the lights on and this informational blog free for everyone. Please click on the links in the articles or to the vendors below if you are purchasing products or DNA testing.
Thank you so much.
DNA Purchases and Free Transfers
- Family Tree DNA
- MyHeritage DNA only
- MyHeritage DNA plus Health
- MyHeritage FREE DNA file upload
- AncestryDNA
- 23andMe Ancestry
- 23andMe Ancestry Plus Health
- LivingDNA
Genealogy Services
Genealogy Research
- Legacy Tree Genealogists for genealogy research
Thanks Roberta. Do you know how long it takes MyHeritage to update matches once a relative has uploaded his/her free transfer. A lot of us have been mentioning this deadline to relatives for weeks but aren’t certain whether these relatives have taken action by uploading.
I uploaded the file and it took 2-3 days to process. I received an e-mail that it was done and the matches were already there. So if you’re not seeing their matches, then they haven’t uploaded.
I just uploaded a raw data file this morning, 29 Nov 2018. It took about 2 minutes to do it. I got back the message that the results could be expected in 3-4 days, and that they would email me when they are ready. But then I went to my “Manage DNA Kits” page, and it says “In progress – results expected in 1-2 days”. So I think you can tell your relatives that, Kate N.
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They sent me an email to upload my DNA to them but when I tried to they came back that I must belong to or join MyHeritage. so I never took it any further.
You can have a free account there. The number of people in your tree is limited I believe if you create one from scratch, but you can upload one that’s larger. Some functions require a subscription.
I think the problem there is I OKd another Manager of my Tree and somehow now have well over 700 people on it; also others have been Smart Matches and that seems to boost it up too. Guess I am not destined to go with MyHeritage; unless I can get back on it and delete all those people I do not know eh.
I’d call support for help.
I have uploaded quite a few family members & some are not assigned with their name , how do you separate the results with their download code
You can change the names on the kits by clicking on manage DNA. Or maybe I don’t understand the question.
I had that problem also. I forgot to write down the person who belonged to the code they gave. I had to delete the info and re-upload the raw DNA and make sure at that time I assigned it to the person it belonged too. My heritage customer service was very helpful with that .
Th number of new matches has jumped over the weekend for the test I manage on MyHeritage. One new match, managed by you, has three segments totaling 19.9 with the longest being 7.1. Too small to pursue but what a thrill to see!
Lots of people uploading.
Thanks for the clear information. Have posted to Causeway Coast & Glens Family History Society in the hope our members will take advantage. Most of my kits are now on. Many Thanks for the reminder. Sean TT
Thank you for this reminder. I find download/upload stuff hard, so I was lucky to get the youngster next door to come over, he read your post and followed the instructions and I got a whole bunch of my family done today. Thanks always for all your helpful posts, you are one of many people for whom I am extra thankful at this season of thanksgiving.
I’m so glad it worked for you, and him:) Happy ancestor hunting.
Slightly off-topic question, but still about MyHeritage. In comparing my matches who are on both MyHeritage and FTDNA, I notice that in many cases, the MyHeritage chromosome browser seems to show a greater number of above 5 cM segments than FTDNA’s browser. My apologies if you’ve addressed this before, but which one would you say I should put the most credence in? Thanks!
I’ve noticed that too and I suspect it has to do with imputation.
Having just taken advantage of the sales on DNA testing kits and awaiting kit deliveries I obviously will not have results In time to upload and get the free access to the tools. Not fair!
Thanks Roberta, I’ve just uploaded my data from Ancestry and an Uncle’s from FTDNA, but it was autosomal only – the 37 concantenated. I couldn’t see how to download his Y-dna from FTDNA. Did I miss something? Thankyou for your wonderfully clear Instructions and advice! Gail
They don’t accept Y, just autosomal so you’re good.
One of my central time zone cousins said something about being unable to upload becausebthe uploads stopped midnight on the 29th. So what time zone is the deadline?
I told him they might just be busy with too many trying to uploaded at once and he should try again this morning, but if they are using Israeli time that would not work,
They are 6 or 7 hours ahead of us, but that’s not the problem. Have him try again.
My thoughts exactly! So they are on London time. Will contact him again, Thanks,
Roberta, I love your blog. Thank you for your expertise and writing talent. I’m wondering if you would comment on MyHeritage search subscription vs Astrology.com. I’ve been a member of astrology.com for a long time and am thinking about switching to MyHeritage.
Which do you think is better? Thank you.
Astrology.com? I know that’s not what you mean, but it’s very amusing.
Ok, now that I’m done laughing (thank you for that chuckle) and back at my computer where I have a keyboard, I’ll actually answer your question:) Ancestry (which is what I presume you mean) and MyHeritage are quite different. They have digitized some of the same records of course, but they also have different records. Their DNA tools work differently too. I use both. For DNA, my strong preference is MyHeritage in part because of the chromosome browser, triangulation and the SmartMatching which combines DNA and ancestors in your tree. MH is also great with the European testers. On the other hand, Ancestry has a lot more testers, and a larger database, but much more mediocre tools, except for Circles which I do like.
I would be interested in a post reviiewing Geno Mate Pro. One of my cousins who used the original version and just this weekend downloaded the pro version says it takes a while to learn to use. As I understand it, it is an app for computers only and can be downloaded for Windows, Mac or Linnux..
I apologize, but I don’t use GenomeMate Pro. The installation process is long and miserable, and I’ve never made it through. I’ve started 3 times. You also have to update it periodically as well.
Deadline for free dna uploads with free access has been extended, Smile!
https://blog.myheritage.com/2018/12/free-dna-uploads-deadline-extended/
Yay!
Somehow I missed uploading my paternal uncle’s test by the deadline, darn it. BUT now it’s January 9, 2019 and the MyHeritage website still does not disclosed what the charge is! They only say “there will be a fee” and then you have to hit the button to upload. I guess I’ll do it just to get the matches, but I think it’s poor policy on their part to not be more transparent.
Roberta, thanks for all your always-excellent information. When I do DNA presentations, I always recommend your blog first.
Hi Roberta, thanks for your informative posts 🙂 I tested with MyH at the beginning of 2018, and it wasn’t until recently I realised that my son’s, who tested with FTDNA and uploaded to MyH, had better/free access to matches, etc. Also, if you upload now to MyH you can pay a single unlock fee, whereas if you have tested with MyH you can only gain this access through a subscription. Wondering do you know how many kits can be managed on one MyH account? And then if a subscription would cover all of them? I have tried to google this but couldn’t find an answer. Our extended family testing now numbers 14. My brother has a subscription and his wife on the same account seems to have the same level of access. Many kits under one account would make a subscription more economical. Thanks, Vicky
With a subscription, there is no unlock fee. Without a subscription, there is an unlock fee for each uploaded kit. Have you seen this article by MyHeritage? https://blog.myheritage.com/2018/12/starting-today-new-dna-upload-policy/