You can move most iLok licenses to iLok Cloud, but the process depends on which software and which iLok version you own

iLok Cloud is a cloud-based licensing system run by Pace Anti-Piracy that lets you access your software licenses from any computer without plugging in a physical iLok dongle. Whether you can move a license there depends on three things: whether the software publisher has enabled cloud licensing for that product, whether your current license was issued after the publisher turned that feature on, and whether you have the right iLok account setup.

The move itself is not automatic. You use iLok License Manager (the free desktop software from Pace) to deactivate the license from your physical iLok, then set up it in iLok Cloud on the same account. The license moves, not copies — once it is in the cloud, it is no longer on the dongle. Some software publishers let you keep a copy on both, but that is the exception, not the standard.

Key Takeaways

  • Not all software supports iLok Cloud licensing — you need to check whether the publisher has enabled it for your specific product.
  • Licenses issued before a publisher turned on cloud support cannot move to the cloud, even if the software now supports it.
  • You move a license using iLok License Manager by deactivating it from your physical iLok and activating it in iLok Cloud on the same account.
  • Once a license moves to the cloud, it is no longer on your dongle unless the publisher allows concurrent licensing on both.
  • If you lose internet access, cloud licenses become unavailable until you reconnect — this is a real trade-off to consider.

How to check if your software supports iLok Cloud

Log into your iLok account at ilok.com and look at the license details for the software in question. If iLok Cloud is available for that product, you will see an option to move it or set up it in the cloud. If you do not see that option, the publisher has not enabled cloud licensing for that software yet.

You can also check the software publisher's website directly. Companies like Avid, iZotope, and Native Instruments publish lists of which products support iLok Cloud. If your software is not on that list, moving to the cloud is not yet an option, though that can change when the publisher updates their licensing system.

The actual steps to move a license from iLok to iLok Cloud

First, read and install iLok License Manager on your computer if you do not have it already. Plug in your physical iLok dongle and open License Manager. You will see all the licenses currently stored on that dongle.

Find the license you want to move and right-click it (or use the menu option). Select "Deactivate" or "Move to Cloud" — the exact wording depends on your License Manager version, but both lead to the same outcome. License Manager will ask you to confirm, and it will remind you that the license will no longer be on the physical dongle after this step.

Once deactivated from the dongle, log into your iLok account online and go to "Licenses." The license should now appear under "iLok Cloud" or "Cloud Licenses" depending on your account layout. You can now set up it in the cloud version of your software on any computer where you log in with that iLok account.

What happens to your physical iLok dongle after the move

The license slot on your dongle becomes empty and available for other licenses. You can move another license into that slot, or leave it empty. The dongle itself still works — it just no longer holds that particular license.

Some people keep their dongle plugged in as a backup or for other software that does not support cloud licensing. Others stop using it entirely once all their licenses are in the cloud. There is no penalty for having an iLok dongle with empty slots.

The real difference between cloud and dongle licensing

A cloud license requires an internet connection to set up and to keep working. When you launch your software, it checks in with iLok's servers to verify the license is valid. If your internet goes down, you can usually keep working for a grace period — typically 30 days — but eventually the software will lock you out until you reconnect.

A dongle license works offline. As long as the dongle is plugged in, the software runs without needing to phone home to any server. This matters if you work in a location with spotty internet, travel frequently, or want to be certain your software will not suddenly stop working due to a server outage on Pace's end.

Cloud licensing is convenient because you do not have to carry a dongle or worry about losing it. Dongle licensing is more reliable in offline situations. Neither is objectively better — it depends on how and where you work.

If your license is too old to move to the cloud

Licenses issued before a publisher enabled cloud support for that product cannot be moved, even if the software now supports iLok Cloud. This is a technical limitation built into how the license was originally issued.

Your options are to keep using the dongle, or to contact the software publisher to ask whether they offer a trade-in or upgrade path. Some publishers will let you exchange an old license for a new cloud-compatible one at a reduced price, but policies vary widely. There is no standard process — you have to ask the publisher directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have the same license on both my iLok dongle and in iLok Cloud at the same time?

Not usually. Moving a license to the cloud removes it from the dongle. Some publishers allow concurrent licensing — meaning you can use the license on both at once — but you have to check their specific policy. Avid, for example, allows this for some products but not others. Contact your software publisher to ask.

What if I move a license to the cloud and then lose my iLok account password?

You will not be able to log in and set up the license until you reset your password. Use the "Forgot Password" option on ilok.com to regain access. Keep your account recovery email address current so you can reset it if needed.

Do I need to move all my licenses to the cloud, or can I keep some on the dongle?

You can mix and match. Keep licenses on the dongle if you work offline frequently, and move others to the cloud if you want the convenience. There is no requirement to move everything at once or at all.

If I move a license to iLok Cloud, can I use it on multiple computers at the same time?

No. A cloud license is still a single-seat license — only one instance of the software can run at a time, even though you can log into your iLok account from different computers. If you try to set up it on two computers simultaneously, the second set up will fail.

What happens if iLok or my software publisher shuts down their cloud service?

That is a real risk with any cloud-based system. If the service shuts down, you would lose access to cloud licenses unless the publisher migrates you to a new system. This is one reason some people prefer to keep licenses on a physical dongle — it does not depend on any company's servers staying online.