Self Service Unlocking in Live 13
This article explains how Self-Service Unlocking works in Ableton Live 13, including how to deactivate a computer, authorize it again, and what to do if you reach your authorization limit.
- What is Self-Service Unlocking?
- How many authorizations does my Live license include?
- Which versions of Live support Self-Service Unlocking?
- How do I deactivate an authorized computer?
- What happens to Live on a computer after I deactivate it?
- How do I authorize a computer again after deactivating it?
- What happens if I've used all my authorizations?
- Does Live 13 need a permanent internet connection?
- What can I do if I no longer have access to a computer I authorized?
About Self-Service Unlocking
What is Self-Service Unlocking?
Self-Service Unlocking lets you manage your own authorizations from your Ableton account. You can deactivate a computer you previously authorized to free up an authorization, then use it on another computer, without having to contact Support.
How many authorizations does my Live license include?
Each Live license includes two authorizations by default in accordance with our License policy for Live.
Which versions of Live support Self-Service Unlocking?
Self-Service Unlocking is available for Live 13 licenses. Live 12 and earlier are not capable of Self-Service Unlocking.
Managing your authorizations
How do I deactivate an authorized computer?
You can see all computers authorized for a license in the Authorization History section of your Ableton account. For Live 13 licenses, a Deactivate button appears next to each authorized computer. To deactivate a computer:
1. Sign in to your Ableton account at ableton.com/account.
2. Open your Live 13 license.
3. Expand Authorization History.
4. Find the computer you want to deactivate.
5. Click Deactivate.
The computer disappears from the Authorization History, and one authorization becomes available again
Note: A computer only appears in the Authorization History after it has been authorized.
What happens to Live on a computer after I deactivate it?
Live recognizes the change the next time it checks its authorization status. You then see this message: "The authorization for this computer has been deactivated. Saving and exporting will be deactivated." Saving and exporting are disabled on that computer. The next time you start Live, the authorization dialog appears, and Live stays unauthorized until you successfully authorize it again.
How do I authorize a computer again after deactivating it?
You can authorize a previously deactivated computer again as long as you have an available authorization. There are two ways to do this: - When you launch Live, click **Authorize with Ableton.com** in the startup dialog. - In Live, choose **Settings → Account & Licenses → Authorize Online**. To open the authorization management page in your Ableton account, click **Manage Authorizations** in the same Settings tab. After Live authorizes successfully, it displays a confirmation message, saving and exporting become available again, and the computer reappears in your Authorization History.
What happens if I've used all my authorizations?
You can't authorize another computer until you free up an authorization. Live displays this message: "Some products could not be authorized because their unlock limit has been reached on this computer. Please visit https://ableton.com/account to manage your unlocks." Live remains unauthorized on the new computer, and saving and exporting are disabled. To fix this, sign in to your Ableton account, deactivate a computer you no longer use in the Authorization History, then authorize the new computer.
Internet connection and offline use
Does Live 13 need a permanent internet connection?
A permanent internet connection isn't required. Live 13 attempts to reauthorize every time it starts, including with perpetual licenses. If Live can't connect to the internet, it uses the existing local authorization file instead. With a valid perpetual license, this means you can keep using Live offline, and a temporary internet outage doesn't invalidate your authorization. Saving and exporting stay available as long as your existing authorization file is valid.
Troubleshooting
What can I do if I no longer have access to a computer I authorized?
Sign in to your Ableton account and check the Authorization History for your license. If you can identify the computer there, click **Deactivate** next to it, even if you can no longer use that computer. If you can't identify the computer, if the limit is still reached after you deactivate another one, or deactivation or reauthorization fails, contact Ableton Support.