Support

[ Features & Functionality | Purchasing & Upgrading | Technical Support | Questions ]

Features & Functionality

Which version control clients officially support Kaleidoscope 3?

Please email us if you use a program that you would like to see integrated with Kaleidoscope, or if an app is missing from this list.

Are there any differences between the Direct Sale and Mac App Store versions of Kaleidoscope?

The Mac App Store version has some differences to comply with rules enforced by Apple:

  • The ksdiff command line tool that drives most integrations must be installed using a separate download.
  • “Open in Terminal” has been removed from the Path Bar context menu.
  • The Mac App Store version is sandboxed, Direct Sale is not. If you don't know the difference, you likely don't care.
  • The Mac App Store version requires git and svn to be installed at /usr/bin/. The Direct Sale version can use ‘xcrun’ to find git and svn that is included with Xcode.

Purchasing & Upgrading

Can I try Kaleidoscope before buying?

Absolutely! Download the latest version of Kaleidoscope from our web site and use it for up to 2 weeks before making a purchase decision. You are still free to decide how to purchase after trying it.

How do I purchase Kaleidoscope 3?

There are two main ways to purchase Kaleidoscope. See above for differences between those.

  1. Direct: Purchase Kaleidoscope directly from Letter Opener GmbH, via our partner FastSpring. Clicking a Open Store button in the app will bring you to the web store. In addition to offering single licenses, the web store offers purchasing of multiple licenses (at a discount) or upgrading your existing 2.x license(s).
  2. Mac App Store: Kaleidoscope 3 is also available on the Mac App Store. If you own Kaleidoscope 2 from the App Store, purchase the Kaleidoscope 3 Upgrade bundle that offers reduced pricing.
Do you offer multiple license discounts, site licenses, …?

Yes, we do. Send us an email describing your license needs and we will get back to you shortly.

Is there an upgrade discount for Kaleidoscope 2 customers?

Yes, of course. The upgrade price for the Direct Sale version of Kaleidoscope 2 is $69.99. The easiest way to upgrade is from within Kaleidoscope 3. Just click the Open Store button. Or visit the upgrade page on our store and enter your previous license data.

Mac App Store customers of Kaleidoscope 2 on the can purchase a special Kaleidoscope 3 Upgrade bundle, which will include Kaleidoscope 3 and come at a reduced price, but only if you own Kaleidoscope 2. Note that if you buy the regular Kaleidoscope 3 app, you will need to pay the full price.

Can I switch my license from the Mac App Store to Direct Sale version (or vice versa)?

The Direct Sale version of Kaleidoscope 3 will detect a Mac App Store license of Kaleidoscope 3 (if it was previously installed and run once). Apple does not provide a means to transfer a Direct Sale license to a Mac App Store license.

I don't want to update to Kaleidoscope 3!

No problem. If you purchased Kaleidoscope 2, you are free to use that version as long as you like. If you accidentally updated to Kaleidoscope 3 and want version 2 back, download it here.

Is there a student discount for Kaleidoscope?

Please email Kaleidoscope Support for assistance. Include some proof of your academic status (such as photo of your Student ID, or at the least by emailing from your academic address).

Technical Support

How do I send feedback or ask for help?

Within Kaleidoscope, head to the Help menu and select either Contact Support… or Send Feedback…, or email us at support@kaleidoscope.app.

What are the system requirements for Kaleidoscope?

Kaleidoscope 3 requires macOS 11 Big Sur, and will be fully compatible with macOS Monterey.

If you can't upgrade to macOS Big Sur, feel free to download and use the latest version of Kaleidoscope 2. It works on Mac OS X 10.12 or later, including macOS 11.6 Big Sur. It may or may not work on future macOS versions.

Why can't I launch Kaleidoscope from my version control client?

Kaleidoscope requires installation of the Kaleidoscope command line tool (ksdiff) to work with version control clients, as well as command-line version control utilities such as git and svn. You can install ksdiff via the Integration option from the Kaleidoscope menu.

How do I activate Kaleidoscope on a new Mac?

Kaleidoscope can be activated by either using the Click to Activate link in your order confirmation email, or by downloading the license file from the same email, and dragging it into the Registration window.

I've lost my license email. How can I get a new copy of it?

Choose Help > Recover License… from the Kaleidoscope menu. Or send an email to Kaleidoscope Support for assistance. Please include your full name and the email address used to purchase.

Questions

Can’t find an answer to your question here? Send us an email and we’ll help you.