Apple Betraying Final Cut Pro for Ventura Users

RedArrowDough wrote:

Any recommended solutions?

You might be able to restore Ventura-compatible FCP version from the backup.

I have a habit to zip and archive FCP and Compressor before updating them (and also other mission critical 3rd party installers). For Ventura I would need v10.8.1 and for Mojave v10.4.10.

This is what AI says . . . it used to be possible but I don't know whether it will still work.

Whatever you do, make sure you have a copy of FCP stored safely before you begin and there should be no need to delete FCP . . . just moving it from the Applications folder should be sufficient.

Yes, you can download older versions of Final Cut Pro (FCPX) if you've previously purchased it, usually through the App Store's "Purchased" tab, which offers the last compatible version for your macOS; however, Apple recently made this trickier by sometimes defaulting to the newest version, so you might need to delete your current FCPX app and try downloading again from your purchase history to trigger the prompt for an older compatible build, or use a Time Machine backup. 

How to Download Older Versions

1. Go to the App Store: Open the Mac App Store on your Mac.
2. Access Purchases: Click your Apple ID in the bottom-left corner to go to your account/purchases.
3. Find FCPX: Locate Final Cut Pro in your list of purchased apps.
4. Delete Current Version (If Needed): If you see "Open," delete the current Final Cut Pro application from your Applications folder (move to Trash).
5. Download Compatible Version: Click the cloud download icon next to FCPX; you should then be prompted to download the last version compatible with your macOS. 

Important Considerations

• Time Machine: If the App Store method fails, restore an older FCPX version from a Time Machine backup if you have one.
• Compatibility: Older FCPX libraries might not fully work with newer versions, and some features will be missing in older builds.
• Avoid Piracy: Do not use torrents or unofficial sites, as they often contain malware. 

I can't help you other than to reinforce your request.

I'm "stuck" in Mojave (10.14.6) and was considering upgrading to Ventura (13.7.8) recently as this is the highest version of MacOS my machine will take (2017 iMac i5) and I am finally willing to forsake all my former 32-bit applications. I knew about Apple discontinuing the ability to download former versions of Pro Apps, but the people asking about it had newer machines and system software. After considerable research (Google AI got much of the information **wrong**), I found out that the earlier versions had been discontinued for **everybody** regardless... meaning, if I have to rebuild my system for any reason, I still won't be able to get any version of Final Cut (or Motion) that will run on my machine — I will just be flat out of luck!

And yeah:

"Thank you for using Apple Pro Apps for the last 15 years and don't let the door hit you on the way out." [BTW, I also purchased Final Cut Studio before that... at about a grand.]

So I would like to add my voice to yours and beseech Apple to ***restore*** our abilities to download and install versions of Final Cut that will work on our machines. Not everyone is privileged enough to keep buying hardware upgrades, especially when you get older and are stuck on a fixed income... like me.

I deleted FCP, rebooted, tested the above, it downloaded FCP 10.7.1. I'm on the latest macOS and M1 Pro Max MBP. That's as far back as it would go.

I assume that if you were on an earlier macOS it would go back further?

Anyway the OP only needs 10.8.1 so it should be OK.