---
title: "Transfer a License Key Between Two Gateways"
---

# Transfer a License Key Between Two Gateways

> Transferring your license key combines two parts: the unactivation steps and activation steps, which are covered on the [Licensing and Activation](platform\licensing-and-activation\licensing-and-activation.md) User Manual page. License keys can be transferred from an **online (connected to the Internet) Gateway** to an **offline (not connected to the Internet) Gateway**, and vice versa.

## License Key Transfer Process
Situations sometimes arise where your current Gateway or server is no longer able to fulfill your needs. In these cases, you may be required to set up a new server and move your license key over from your old Gateway.

## Part 1: Removing the Active License
To move your license key to a different Gateway, do the following steps, depending on if your Gateway is online or offline:

### Part 1a: Online Unactivation
1. Unactivate your license key from your old Gateway by going to the **Platform** section > **System** > **Licensing**. You will be able to see any licenses that are currently applied.
2. Expand the three dots menu and select **Unactivate** for the active license listed under **Applied Licenses**.

    ![Part 1a Online Unactivation Step 2](part-1a-online-unactivation-step-2.png)

3. A confirmation popup will appear, asking you to confirm the unactivation. Click **Unactivate**. It may take a minute or so for the request to finish.

    ![Part 1a Online Unactivation Step 3](part-1a-online-unactivation-step-3.png)

4. The unactivation request will be sent to Inductive Automation's licensing servers, and the license will again be available for activation on another Gateway.

### Part 1b: Offline Unactivation
In the event your Gateway is unable to reach our licensing server, you will need to perform an offline unactivation. Be sure not to skip any of the following steps, as skipping a step may result in your license key going into [Emergency Activation Mode](platform\licensing-and-activation\emergency-activation\emergency-activation.md) when activating it on the new Gateway.
1. Go to your Gateway's **Platform** section > **System** > **Licensing**. You will be able to see any licenses that are currently applied.
2. Expand the three dots menu and select **Unactivate** for the active license listed under **Applied Licenses**.

    ![Part 1b Offline Unactivation Step 2](part-1b-offline-unactivation-step-2.png)

3. A confirmation popup will appear, asking you to confirm the unactivation. Click **Unactivate**. It may take a minute or so for the request to finish.

    ![Part 1b Offline Unactivation Step 3](part-1b-offline-unactivation-step-3.png)

4. An unactivation request file, called `unactivation_message.txt` will be generated and downloaded.
5. Take the `unactivation_message.txt` file to a machine with Internet access and go to https://links.inductiveautomation.com/activation.
6. Click **Choose File** and select the `unactivation_message.txt` file.

    ![Part 1b Offline Unactivation Step 6](part-1b-offline-unactivation-step-6.png)

7. You will see a visual confirmation that your `unactivation_message.txt` file has been successfully uploaded, and the license key can now be activated on a different Gateway.

    ![Part 1b Offline Unactivation Step 7](part-1b-offline-unactivation-step-7.png)

## Part 2: Moving the License
Now that your license has been unactivated from the old Gateway, you are ready to activate the license on a separate Gateway.

### Part 2a: Online Activation
If the new Gateway that will house your license key is online, do the following steps:
1. Go to the Gateway webpage and select the **Platform** section.
2. From the menu on the left, select **System** > **Licensing**. The Licensing page will appear, from which you will need to click **Activate a License +**.

    ![Part 2a Online Activation Step 2](part-2a-online-activation-step-2.png)

3. The **Activate License** form will appear. Enter the license key from the old Gateway and click **Next**.

    ![Part 2a Online Activation Step 3](part-2a-online-activation-step-3.png)

4. If you are connected to the Internet, select **Online Activation** and then **Activate License**.

    ![Part 2a Online Activation Step 4](part-2a-online-activation-step-4.png)

5. The **Licensing** page will refresh, and your license key will be successfully activated.

    ![Part 2a Online Activation Step 5](part-2a-online-activation-step-5.png)

### Part 2b: Offline Activation
If the new Gateway that will house your license key is offline, or if you want to perform an offline activation, do the following steps:
1. Go to the Gateway webpage and select the **Platform** section.
2. From the menu on the left, select **System** > **Licensing**. The Licensing page will appear, from which you will need to click **Activate a License +**.

3. The **Activate License** form will appear. Enter the license key from the old Gateway and click **Next**.

    ![Part 2b Offline Activation Step 3](part-2b-offline-activation-step-3.png)

4. If you are not connected to the Internet, or if you want to activate your Gateway manually, click the **Offline Activation** option and click **Next**. 

    ![Part 2b Offline Activation Step 4](part-2b-offline-activation-step-4.png)

5. Click the **Download Activation Request** button. An activation request file, called `activation_message.txt` will be generated and downloaded.

    ![Part 2b Offline Activation Step 5](part-2b-offline-activation-step-5.png)

6. Take the `activation_message.txt` file to a machine with Internet access and go to https://links.inductiveautomation.com/activation.
7. Click **Choose File** and select the `activation_message.txt` file in the **Activate Ignition** section.

    ![Part 2b Offline Activation Step 7](part-2b-offline-activation-step-7.png)

    :::note
    Should any trouble occur with the upload process, please [contact our Support department](https://support.inductiveautomation.com/).
    :::

8. Once you upload the `activation_message.txt` file, a license file called `license.ipl` is generated.
9. Bring the `license.ipl` file back to the computer on which you're licensing Ignition. Back on the Offline Activation page, upload the `license.ipl` file. Then, click **Activate** to finish the process.

    ![Part 2b Offline Activation Step 9](part-2b-offline-activation-step-9.png)

10. The **Licensing** page will refresh, showing your license was successfully activated.
11. Click **Modules** to see a list of all your activated modules.

:::note
If something goes wrong during the unactivation or activation step of the license key transfer, your license key may end up in [Emergency Activation Mode](platform\licensing-and-activation\emergency-activation\emergency-activation.md). If this happens, you will need to contact [Inductive Automation Support](https://support.inductiveautomation.com/) to get your license fixed.
:::