Using LifeFlix on macOS Tahoe: What Works and What Does Not

macOS Tahoe launched on September 15, 2025, and it brought a significant change for anyone digitising tapes on a Mac. This page explains exactly what the situation is and what your options are.

The short version

FireWire does not work on macOS Tahoe. If your Mac is running Tahoe and you are trying to connect a MiniDV, HDV, or Digital8 camcorder via FireWire, it will not be detected. This is not a LifeFlix issue. It is a change Apple made at the operating system level.

LifeFlix Digitizer itself runs on Tahoe. The app opens and works. The problem is that the operating system no longer recognises FireWire devices, so there is nothing for LifeFlix to capture from.

How to confirm this is the issue

Open System Information on your Mac by going to the Apple menu, About This Mac, then System Report. If you are on Tahoe, the FireWire section will be absent entirely from the hardware list. This confirms that FireWire support has been removed at the system level and is not a LifeFlix-specific issue.

What does not work on Tahoe

MiniDV capture via FireWire: not supported HDV capture via FireWire: not supported Digital8 capture via FireWire: not supported Thunderbolt to FireWire adapters for any of the above: not supported FireWire to USB dongles that previously worked on Sequoia: not supported

What still works on Tahoe

LifeFlix Digitizer app itself: runs normally LifeFlix Library features: fully supported on Tahoe Importing video files already on your hard drive: works normally Exporting and organising existing footage in LifeFlix: works normally USB analog capture cards for Hi8 and VHS: these bypass FireWire entirely and work on Tahoe

Your options if you are on Tahoe

Option 1: Keep a second Mac on macOS Sequoia for the capture step. This does not need to be a high-end machine. A second hand 2012 MacBook Pro or any Intel Mac kept on Sequoia handles the capture, and you transfer the files to your Tahoe machine afterwards for editing and organising in LifeFlix.

Option 2: If you have Hi8 or VHS tapes rather than MiniDV, use a USB analog capture card. Devices like the Elgato Video Capture connect via USB and work on any modern Mac including Tahoe. You lose the digital quality advantage of FireWire but the footage is still fully usable.

Option 3: Do not update your current Mac to Tahoe until your digitising project is complete. If your Mac is still on Sequoia, stay there until your tapes are done.

Will FireWire support return in a future macOS?

No. macOS 27 Golden Gate, expected in late 2026, will support Apple Silicon only and will not restore FireWire support. FireWire is permanently removed from macOS.