Steinberg Key USB eLicenser

Steinberg Key USB eLicenser Overview

Steinberg Key USB eLicenser

The USB-eLicenser (formerly "Steinberg Key") is a copy protection unit (sometimes called "dongle") which is needed to use Steinberg's software range. With the host applications Cubase, Nuendo and WaveLab, the USB-eLicenser is already included in the product package. The USB-eLicenser is also required to run Steinberg VST instruments, but is not included in the product boxes and must be purchased separately if no USB-eLicenser/Steinberg Key is already present on the system.

The USB-eLicenser is actually a tiny computer which stores licenses for Steinberg products, and is connected to a USB port on your computer. All current Steinberg products that use a copy protection device use exactly the same system. The Steinberg copy protection system allows the storage of several licenses on the same USB-eLicenser. Licenses can also be transferred between USB-eLicensers with certain limitations. This can be very useful, for example in the unlikely event of a Steinberg customer wishing to sell a product.

eLicenser Service Closes Down in 2025 - Please read the below importand information on eLicence Keys

eLicenser Service Closes Down in 2025
After years of managing your Steinberg software licenses, the eLicenser-based licensing service will be closing down early in 2025. Between 2022 and 2023, the eLicenser system was gradually superseded by the new ID-based Steinberg Licensing system. This system is fully implemented in the entire current range of Steinberg software, providing benefits not available with the outdated technology. For our customers still using Steinberg software which relies on the eLicenser, we are aware that you have questions. Please see below where we have provided solutions which we hope will answer your needs.

eLicenser end-of-service
What is the eLicenser service?

For many years, Steinberg products have used the eLicenser license management system with its combination of the USB-eLicenser hardware key and the Soft-eLicenser software key, and it has served us and our customers well. But times change, and for many years now our customers have been asking us for extra freedom and flexibility. In January 2022, Steinberg Licensing was introduced replacing the old eLicenser-based license management.

What does end-of-service mean?

With the end-of-service of the eLicenser license management system, we are completing the transition to our new Steinberg Licensing system. Since its introduction in January 2022 we have integrated Steinberg Licensing in our products step-by-step and offered various options to upgrade your eLicenser-based products to the new system. If you are still using eLicenser-based products the end of the service will have several important implications:

You won't be able to activate or reactivate an eLicenser-based product. If you still have an activation code for an eLicenser-based product you need to activate it before the end-of-service.

You won't be able to move a license from one USB eLicenser to another. If you have multiple USB-eLicensers and you want to consolidate the licenses onto a single USB-eLicenser you will need to do it before the end-of-service. Similarly, if you want to move a Soft-eLicenser license to a USB-eLicenser, you need to do it before the end-of-service.

Lost licenses cannot be recovered. If you have lost an eLicenser license, please get in contact with us before the end-of-service. It won't be possible to recover lost licenses after the end-of-service.

When is the end-of-service scheduled?

The end of the eLicenser service is scheduled for early 2025.

eLicenser products
How do I know if my product is using the eLicenser-based licensing service?

Most product releases since the start of 2022 introduced the Steinberg Licensing license management. Older products are eLicenser-based. eLicenser-based products stored on Soft-eLicenser and USB-eLicensers are shown in the eLicenser Control Center installed on your system. Details on the final eLicenser-based versions of our products, including those that also concurrently support Steinberg Licensing, can be found here.

Will I still be able to use products with the eLicenser-based licensing service?

Yes, eLicenser-based products can still be used without limitations as long as the licenses are available on the USB-eLicenser or Soft-eLicenser.

What happens if my USB-eLicenser gets broken or is lost after the eLicenser service is shut down?

Please contact support for an individual solution. Please note that we can only offer a solution for eLicensers registered in MySteinberg.

What happens to products with the Soft-eLicenser-based licensing service?

As long as the Soft-eLicenser is active and contains all purchased licenses, the products can still be used without limitations. Please keep in mind that it is not possible to move licenses to other computers or reactivate them after an operating system reset. If you intend to stay on the eLicenser-based licensing service, consider transferring your licenses stored locally on the Soft-eLicenser to a USB-eLicenser before the end-of-service date. The USB-eLicenser is not affected by moving to other systems or resetting the operating system.

Can I still get support for products with the eLicenser-based licensing service?

While we cannot provide any eLicenser-related support any more, regular product support continues to be available for the products listed here.

Can I still sell eLicenser-based products after end-of-service?

Yes, USB-eLicensers containing product licenses can still be sold and those products can be used as long as the USB-eLicenser is functional. Licenses stored on Soft-eLicensers cannot be transferred to other users after the eLicenser end-of-service and thus cannot be sold.

Can old eLicenser-based activation codes be used at all after the eLicenser end-of-service?

No, to use an eLicenser-based activation code our license server needs to be running. After end-of-service those codes cannot be used any more. Please do not purchase any activation codes or old boxes of eLicenser-based products after our license server is offline.

Can I purchase spare USB-eLicensers for later use in case my original USB-eLicenser malfunctions?

No, after end-of-service no license transfers to another USB-eLicenser will be possible any more.

Upgrading to Steinberg Licensing
What is Steinberg Licensing and what are its advantages?

Steinberg Licensing was introduced in January 2022 to replace the old eLicenser-based license management system with a modern, more flexible identity-based license management system. With Steinberg Licensing you can simply download your purchased Software, run it, sign in with your Steinberg ID, and you're up and running right away. After activation, you can disconnect from the internet altogether if you need to, and run your software indefinitely without reconnecting. Steinberg Licensing also allows the flexibility to activate your software on up to three of your computers at once – and if you buy a new computer or temporarily need to use a different one, you can easily release your license from one computer to activate another.

Can I still use products with the eLicenser-based licensing service in Steinberg Licensing?

No, eLicenser-based products are incompatible and cannot be used in Steinberg Licensing.

What happens to my licenses on the USB eLicenser dongle after upgrading to Steinberg Licensing?

The licenses on the USB-eLicenser will be upgraded to the last available eLicenser-based version, completing the migration and maintaining backwards compatibility.

How do I upgrade my product from the eLicenser-based licensing to Steinberg Licensing?

Upgrading an eLicenser-based license to a new Steinberg Licensing license requires an extra step to complete the transition into the new system. A detailed step-by-step instruction can be found in the dedicated Support Article.

Will I be able to upgrade my eLicenser-based product to Steinberg Licensing after the end of the eLicenser service?

No, upgrading your eLicenser-based product to Steinberg Licensing after the end of the eLicenser service won't be possible anymore.

eLicenser registration in MySteinberg
Why should I register my eLicenser in MySteinberg?

Only registered users receive technical support by email and phone. If your product is not registered to your account, we cannot identify your licenses after the eLicenser service has ended.

How do I register my eLicenser in MySteinberg?

You register your eLicenser in the Products section of your MySteinberg account. As soon as the registration has been completed, the registered eLicenser as well as all licenses on it are listed in your MySteinberg account under Products ▸ Show eLicenser-based products. A detailed step-by-step instruction can be found in the dedicated Support Article.