You can move most iLok licenses to iLok Cloud, but the process depends on your license type and whether the software publisher allows it

iLok Cloud is a cloud-based licensing system that lets you access your software licenses from any computer without carrying a physical iLok dongle. However, not every license stored on a physical iLok can move to the cloud version. Some publishers restrict their licenses to hardware-only, while others allow the transfer but require you to deactivate the license on your dongle first. The move is permanent — once you transfer a license to iLok Cloud, you cannot move it back to a physical iLok.

The transfer process itself is straightforward if your license is may be able to access: you log into your iLok account online, find the license, and choose the option to move it to the cloud. The license then appears in your iLok Cloud account and disappears from your physical dongle. You will need an active internet connection to use iLok Cloud licenses, and you must log in through the iLok License Manager software on your computer each time you start your protected software.

Key Takeaways

  • Not all iLok licenses can move to iLok Cloud — the software publisher decides whether each license type is may be able to access for cloud transfer.
  • The transfer is one-way: once you move a license to iLok Cloud, you cannot move it back to a physical iLok dongle.
  • You must deactivate the license on your physical iLok before transferring it to the cloud, which requires internet access and your iLok account login.
  • iLok Cloud licenses require an internet connection and the iLok License Manager software running on your computer to work.
  • If your license is not may be able to access for cloud transfer, you will need to keep using your physical iLok dongle or contact the software publisher to ask about alternatives.

How to check if your license can move to iLok Cloud

Log into your iLok account at ilok.com and view your license list. Each license shows its current location — either on a specific iLok device or already in iLok Cloud. Next to each license, you will see whether it has a cloud transfer option available. If the option appears, the publisher allows the transfer. If it does not appear, that publisher has locked the license to hardware-only.

Some publishers allow cloud transfer for newer versions of their software but not older ones. For example, a license for version 2024 of a DAW might be may be able to access, but a license for version 2020 of the same DAW might not be. Check the specific license you own, not just the software name. If you are unsure which version your license covers, look at the license details in your iLok account — the version number appears there.

The transfer process and what happens to your dongle

To move a license to iLok Cloud, open the iLok License Manager software on your computer and make sure your physical iLok is connected. Select the license you want to transfer and choose the option to move it to the cloud. The software will deactivate the license on your dongle and transfer it to your iLok Cloud account. This process requires an active internet connection and takes a few seconds to complete.

After the transfer, the license no longer exists on your physical iLok. If you have other licenses on that dongle, they remain there — only the transferred license is removed. You can now use that software on any computer where you log into iLok Cloud, without needing to plug in your dongle for that particular license.

Internet requirements and offline use with iLok Cloud

iLok Cloud licenses require an internet connection to activate and validate. When you start your protected software, the iLok License Manager checks your license status online. If your internet goes down after the software is already running, the software will usually continue working until you close and restart it. However, you cannot start the software for the first time without an internet connection.

If you frequently work offline or in locations with unreliable internet, iLok Cloud may not be practical for you. In that case, keeping a physical iLok dongle is the better choice, assuming your license is not may be able to access for cloud transfer anyway. Some publishers offer both options — you can keep your license on a dongle and use iLok Cloud for a different license from the same publisher.

What to do if your license is not may be able to access for cloud transfer

If your license does not show a cloud transfer option in your iLok account, the publisher has restricted it to hardware-only. You will need to continue using your physical iLok dongle with that license. This is a permanent restriction set by the software publisher, not by iLok itself.

If you want to use iLok Cloud instead, your only option is to contact the software publisher and ask whether they plan to enable cloud transfer for that license in the future. Some publishers update their policies over time, especially when they release new versions of their software. However, there is no may provide they will change their decision. If the publisher says no, you are limited to using the physical dongle.

Moving licenses between computers with iLok Cloud

One advantage of iLok Cloud is that you can use the same license on multiple computers without moving it. Log into your iLok account on any computer, and the iLok License Manager will recognize your cloud licenses. You can run your protected software on Computer A in the morning and Computer B in the afternoon using the same license, as long as you are not running the software on both computers at the same time.

Some publishers limit how many computers can use the same cloud license simultaneously. Check your license details in your iLok account to see if there are any restrictions. If your software has a concurrent-use limit, you will need to close the software on one computer before starting it on another, or the second computer will not be able to activate the license.

Reversing a transfer is not possible

Once you move a license from your physical iLok to iLok Cloud, you cannot undo the transfer. The license is now tied to your iLok Cloud account and will not return to your dongle. If you later decide you need a physical iLok for that license — for example, because you need to work offline — you will have to contact the software publisher to ask about your options.

Some publishers may allow you to deactivate the cloud license and issue you a new license for a physical iLok, but this is not may provide and may require you to repurchase the license. Before you transfer any license to iLok Cloud, make sure you are comfortable with the permanent nature of the change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same iLok Cloud license on two computers at the same time?

Most publishers do not allow simultaneous use of the same license on multiple computers. You can log into iLok Cloud on different computers, but you must close the software on one computer before starting it on another. Check your license details in your iLok account to see if your specific license has a concurrent-use limit.

What happens if my internet goes out while I am using software with an iLok Cloud license?

If the software is already running, it will usually continue working until you close and restart it. However, you cannot start the software for the first time without an internet connection. If you work offline frequently, a physical iLok dongle is more reliable than iLok Cloud.

Can I transfer a license back to my physical iLok after moving it to iLok Cloud?

No. The transfer to iLok Cloud is permanent and cannot be reversed. If you need the license on a physical dongle later, you will have to contact the software publisher to discuss your options, which may include repurchasing the license.

Do I need to keep my physical iLok plugged in if I move all my licenses to iLok Cloud?

No. Once all your licenses are in iLok Cloud, you do not need your physical iLok dongle at all. You can store it safely or use it for other purposes. However, make sure you have transferred only the licenses you are certain you want in the cloud, since the transfer cannot be undone.

What if the software publisher does not allow cloud transfer for my license?

You will need to continue using your physical iLok dongle. You can contact the publisher to ask if they plan to enable cloud transfer in the future, but there is no may provide they will. Your only other option is to purchase a new license from a version of the software that does support iLok Cloud.