Last month, this site covered FamilyTreeDNA’s move to Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) for its Family Finder test — a change delivering roughly 400 times more usable genomic data than the old microarray chip technology, but available only to people providing a fresh physical sample. At the time, FamilyTreeDNA had said it didn’t yet know what path, if any, would eventually open up for existing testers.¹ That path now exists.

What’s Actually Available

FamilyTreeDNA has launched the Family Finder Upgrade, priced starting at $29, which moves an existing account onto the new NGS panel.² Three separate versions apply depending on how a person originally tested: a straightforward upgrade for anyone with an older microarray-based Family Finder result (any test processed before March 2, 2026); a path for people who transferred data from another company and already paid the old $19 “unlock” fee; and, since August 18, 2026, a path for people who transferred for free and never paid for the unlock at all.³ That free $19 unlock option was retired that same day — going forward, the $29 NGS upgrade is now the only way to unlock full Family Finder features from a transferred file.⁴

Most people won’t need to provide a new sample. FamilyTreeDNA draws on the physical sample already stored in its lab whenever one is viable, and only ships a new collection kit automatically if that sample has failed or none exists.²

One Detail Worth Acting On

The upgrade is not additive. Once new NGS results post, FamilyTreeDNA permanently replaces the existing raw data file, match list, and myOrigins ethnicity estimate — there is no option to keep both versions side by side.² Anyone who wants a personal record of their current results, match list, or ethnicity report needs to download that data before ordering the upgrade, not after.

For Dillman Researchers

For anyone with an existing Family Finder result who has been holding off on this exact question, $29 is a modest cost for a genuine jump in data quality — particularly for distant-cousin matching within the Dillman DNA Project, where more covered genome generally means more confidence in a borderline match. The one actionable step either way: download your current raw data and match list before you order, since there’s no going back once the new results post.

Sources

1. Dillman Family Association. “FamilyTreeDNA’s New Test Delivers 400 Times More Data — But Only If You Actually Swab.” August 15, 2026. dillmanfamilyassociation.org.
2. FamilyTreeDNA. “Family Finder Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Upgrades.” FamilyTreeDNA Help Center. Accessed August 2026. help.familytreedna.com.
3. Estes, Roberta. “Autosomal DNA Unlock at FamilyTreeDNA to Be Retired August 18th.” DNAeXplained – Genetic Genealogy. August 13, 2026. dna-explained.com.
4. FamilyTreeDNA. “Autosomal DNA Transfers.” FamilyTreeDNA Help Center. Accessed August 2026. help.familytreedna.com.

Note: This post was researched and written with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI). All content has been reviewed for accuracy as of August 2026. All errors are the responsibility of the author.