What happens when you move a license to iLok Cloud

An iLok license is a digital permission file that software companies use to prove you own their product. When you move that license from a physical iLok USB device into iLok Cloud — a cloud-based storage system run by the same company — you're transferring the proof of ownership from hardware you hold in your hand to an online account you access through the internet.

Not every license can make this move. Some software companies lock their licenses to physical iLok devices on purpose, so they stay tied to the hardware. Others allow the transfer. Before you attempt anything, you need to know whether your specific software permits it.

The practical difference matters: a license on a physical iLok device works the same way every time, requires no internet connection once it's plugged in, and stays with the device even if you forget your password. A license in iLok Cloud requires you to log in online, authenticate your account, and read the license to whichever computer you're using that day. If iLok's servers are down, you cannot access it.

Key Takeaways

  • Not all software licenses can move to iLok Cloud — the software company decides whether the transfer is allowed, and you must check their documentation first.
  • You move a license through the iLok License Manager software on your computer, not through iLok Cloud itself.
  • Once a license moves to the cloud, it leaves your physical iLok device and exists only in your online account.
  • Cloud licenses require internet access and an active iLok account to use, while physical iLok licenses work offline once plugged in.

Check whether your software allows cloud transfer

Before you do anything, open the software's documentation or contact the company that made it. Search their support site for "iLok Cloud" or "cloud license transfer." Some companies explicitly state that their licenses cannot leave the physical device. Others allow it freely. A few allow it only for certain product versions or only after a specific date.

If you cannot find a clear answer in writing, contact the software company's support team directly. Tell them you own a license on a physical iLok device and want to know whether you can move it to iLok Cloud. They will give you a yes or no. This step takes five minutes and prevents you from wasting time on a transfer that will not work.

read and open iLok License Manager

The actual transfer happens through iLok License Manager, a free software process made by iLok. This is not the same as iLok Cloud itself — License Manager is the tool that talks to both your physical iLok device and your iLok Cloud account.

Go to the iLok website, find the Downloads section, and read iLok License Manager for your operating system (Windows or Mac). Install it the way you would any other software. When you open it, you will see a window with tabs or sections for your local licenses, your iLok device, and your iLok Cloud account.

Sign into your iLok Cloud account within License Manager

In iLok License Manager, look for a section labeled "iLok Cloud" or "Cloud Account." Click it and sign in with the email address and password you use for iLok Cloud. If you do not have an iLok Cloud account yet, you will need to create one on the iLok website before you can proceed.

Once you are signed in, License Manager will show you which licenses currently live in your iLok Cloud account. This list may be empty if you have never moved a license to the cloud before.

Connect your physical iLok device and locate the license

Plug your physical iLok device into a USB port on your computer. iLok License Manager will recognize it and show you the licenses stored on that device. Find the license you want to move. Make sure it is the correct one — if you have multiple licenses on the device, moving the wrong one could disrupt your work.

Some iLok devices require a PIN to access. If yours does, you will be prompted to enter it. Once the device is unlocked, License Manager will display all the licenses it contains.

Move the license from device to cloud

In iLok License Manager, right-click on the license you want to move (or look for a menu option like "Move to Cloud" or "Transfer to iLok Cloud"). Select the option to move it. The software will ask you to confirm — this is your final note to change your mind, because once you confirm, the license leaves the physical device.

After you confirm, License Manager will process the transfer. This usually takes a few seconds to a minute. When it finishes, the license will no longer appear in your physical iLok device's list. It will now appear in your iLok Cloud account instead.

Do not unplug your iLok device until the transfer is completely finished. If you disconnect it during the process, the transfer may fail and you could end up with the license in neither location.

Verify the license is now in iLok Cloud

After the transfer completes, check the iLok Cloud section of License Manager to confirm the license now appears there. You should see it listed under your cloud account. This confirms the move was successful.

You can now unplug your physical iLok device. The license no longer needs to be on it. The next time you use the software, you will sign into your iLok Cloud account instead of plugging in the device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move the license back to my physical iLok device after moving it to the cloud?

Yes. Open iLok License Manager, sign into your iLok Cloud account, right-click the license, and select the option to move it back to your device. The license will transfer from the cloud back to the physical iLok. The process is the same in reverse.

What if the transfer fails halfway through?

If the transfer stops or fails, the license may still be on your physical iLok device. Plug the device back in, open License Manager, and check whether the license is still there. If it is, you can try the transfer again. If you are stuck, contact iLok support with details about what happened.

Do I need internet to use the software after moving the license to iLok Cloud?

Yes. When you launch the software, it will need to connect to iLok's servers to verify your license through your iLok Cloud account. If you are offline, the software may not launch or may stop working after a certain period. A physical iLok device does not have this requirement once it is plugged in.

What happens if I forget my iLok Cloud password?

You can reset it on the iLok website using your email address. However, if you cannot access your account, you cannot access the licenses stored in it. Make sure you keep your password somewhere safe and use a recovery email address you can still reach.

Can multiple people use the same license if it is in iLok Cloud?

No. A license in iLok Cloud is tied to one iLok account. Only the person who owns that account can sign in and use the license. You cannot share it with other users by giving them your password — most software licenses prohibit this anyway.