FamilySearch Tree is a genealogy app designed to help you build your family tree and discover your ancestors. I've been using it for a few years now to piece together my family's history, and it's become my go-to tool. The app itself is completely free to download from both Google Play and the Apple App Store, and it's been around for a long time, with millions of installs. You don't need to pay anything to use its core features, which is amazing for a hobby that can get expensive. When you first install the app, you'll need to create a free FamilySearch account, but that's just a one-time thing. Once you're in, you can start building your tree right away. I was pleasantly surprised that there are no annoying ads popping up while I'm trying to research, and there aren't any sneaky in-app purchases to unlock basic functions. Everything you need to build, search, and connect is included.

Using the app is pretty straightforward. After I downloaded and installed it, I started by adding myself, my parents, and my grandparents. The app then suggests possible records and other family trees that might match your ancestors. My best tip is to start with what you know for sure. Don't just add every hint it gives you; take time to look at the sources. I often use the app on my phone to quickly add a birth date or location I just learned about from a relative. You can attach photos, stories, and documents directly to people in your tree, which is a great way to preserve memories. Another simple tip is to use the "Relatives Around Me" feature at family gatherings. It uses Bluetooth to find other FamilySearch users nearby and shows how you're related, which is always a fun conversation starter.

Compared to other genealogy apps like Ancestry, FamilySearch Tree stands out because it's completely free. Ancestry requires a subscription to access most records, which can add up. While Ancestry might have a larger user base in some regions, FamilySearch gives you access to a massive, collaborative family tree for zero cost. I chose FamilySearch because I'm on a budget and I value the collaborative aspect. On FamilySearch, you're often working on a shared tree with distant cousins, which means you can benefit from research others have already done. With other apps, you're usually building your own private tree in isolation. For a beginner or someone who doesn't want a monthly bill, FamilySearch Tree on Google Play is the obvious first choice to download and try.

• 🌳 Build a Shared Tree: Unlike apps where you work alone, here you contribute to a single, worldwide family tree. This means you might log in and find a branch already built by a distant relative, saving you hours of work.
• 🌳 Access Free Historical Records: The app connects directly to FamilySearch's massive free archive. I can search billions of names in birth, marriage, census, and military records without ever hitting a paywall, which is rare.
• 🌳 Collaborate with Relatives: You can see who else is researching the same ancestors and send messages. It turns a solitary hobby into a social one, making it more engaging than static apps.
• 🌳 Attach Memories Easily: Quickly snap photos of old documents or heirlooms with your phone and attach them directly to ancestor profiles, building a rich digital family archive.

• ✅ Truly Free Core Service: You get powerful tree-building and record searching without a subscription, beating paid apps on pure value.
• ✅ Unmatched Collaboration: The shared tree model is unique and powerful, fostering connections you won't find on private platforms.
• ✅ Vast Free Record Library: Direct access to one of the world's largest free genealogy collections is a huge advantage for any researcher.

• ⚠️ Interface Can Feel Dated: Compared to slicker apps, the design is more functional than modern, which might not appeal to everyone.
• ⚠️ Learning Curve for Shared Tree: The collaborative nature means you can't change everything freely, which can be confusing for new users.