New version reqs brick Joplin on old machine

Support
1

Operating system

macOS

Joplin version

3.4.12

Desktop version info

Joplin 3.4.12 (prod, darwin)

Device: darwin, Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4790K CPU @ 4.00GHz
Client ID: 6208a17a945a49bcbcf7a02df2d4e9b3
Sync Version: 3
Profile Version: 48
Keychain Supported: Yes
Alternative instance ID: -

Revision: e9a9f68

Backup: 1.4.3
Freehand Drawing: 3.1.0

Sync target

Dropbox

What issue do you have?

I've been running Joplin on an older 2014 iMac, which hasn't been able to update for several months since requiring a newer OS. Now unable to sync to other devices since Joplin requires an upgrade to 3.7.0+.

I get that not all apps can be all things to all people, and certainly can't support all devices, especially older ones. But my machine runs fine (plenty of more advanced and processor-hungry software than a simple note taking app!) and am still a year or two away from being able to get a newer one. Part of the power and versatility of Joplin has been its cross-device compatibility, and above all, simplicity.

It seems perhaps Joplin's new direction towards an AI agent is the reason for this incompatibility -- a move away from its core benefits that distinguish it from being a leader among note-taking apps. Why does a note taking app need to be so processor-heavy? It moves it way out of its original wheelhouse and category, even.

I hope developer leadership will reconsider the choices that make Joplin incompatible on older devices. Have loved, supported, and recommended it for years and hope to be able to continue to do so!

Best regards and well wishes for the future. And above all, thanks for the years of efforts making Joplin a rad app, accessible for so many.
Dave

Screenshots

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2

For the record, the incompatibility is caused by syncing note history settings in the new version. It has nothing to do with the newly added AI features that are local only.

3

It's possible to make it work again if you downgrade on all machines and then you wipe out your server and clients and start afresh with a jex import. But that means you can't upgrade any client again beyond a certain version if you want it to still work on the old machine where it can't be upgraded

4

Oh rock on, appreciate the explanation. So if I downgrade / reinstall older same versions on my other devices, it would regain the ability to sync?

5

Ahh gotcha, thanks for your help. Will give it a shot!