Live asks for authorization at every launch (macOS single-user environment)

  • Live Version: 9.1 and later
  • Operating System: macOS 10.13 or higher

If Live asks for authorization every time it launches, follow these instructions: 

  1. In Finder, select the Go Menu, then hold down the Option key on your keyboard.
  2. Open the Library folder that appears. 
  3. Scroll down to find the folder named Preferences. Open this, then open the enclosed folder Ableton. This opens the path, usually hidden: Users/[username]/Library/Preferences/Ableton.
    (More info: how to access hidden folders on Mac.)
  4. Open the folder for your current version of Live, for example Live 11.2.5.
  5. If this contains a file called Options.txt, open the file. 
  6. Find the line -ChallengeMethod=2
  7. Change that line to -ChallengeMethod=3
  8. If there is no existing Options.txt file, follow the steps here on how to create an Options.txt file, and add the line -ChallengeMethod=3
  9. Save the Options.txt file.
  10. Launch Live.

You'll need to authorize one last time, after which you should not be asked to authorize again.

Note: If you have installed Live in a multi-user environment, follow these instructions instead.

Ableton offers these in-depth help and learning resources: