Activate Fixed License Offline
Important Notice for ReadyAPI Customers
Starting from ReadyAPI 3.62.0, VirtServer 3.29.0, and TestEngine 1.34.0, SmartBear Product Family has fully deprecated file-based licenses and transitioned to the ID-based SmartBear License Management (SLM) system. Any customers still using file-based licenses must complete their migration to SLM by September 30, 2025.
From October 1, 2025, existing and activated file-based licenses will continue to work for some time. However, SmartBear will no longer generate new file-based licenses or support activation and deactivation of file-based licenses in ReadyAPI, VirtServer, or TestEngine. All new and updated licenses are now issued in SLM only.
All technical support for file-based licenses has now ceased, and SmartBear no longer maintains the file-based licensing system. Any access or service issues will result in service disruptions that we will not be able to restore.
If you have not completed the process of migrating, contact your Account Manager or SmartBear representative today. Our teams are ready to assist with smooth transition strategies. For additional support, log a request with our SmartBear Support, who are standing by to help.
For further information and timelines, refer to the File-Based License End-of-Life Policy page.
This topic describes how to activate a fixed license offline. This mode is not recommended. Use it only if your computer does not have an Internet connection. Otherwise, use the online activation mode.
Note
You can also use a Floating license.
Apply for license
Launch ReadyAPI.
If you do not have an active license, ReadyAPI will display a message asking you to activate a license:
Click Yes.
If you have an active license for any tool, select Help > License Manager from the main menu:
In the License Manager dialog, select the tool for which you want to install the license or select any tool if you want to install a bundle license. Click Install License:
In the Install License wizard, select License from file and specify the name of your license file (.zip or .key) in the License from File box. You can either type the file name or click Browse and choose the file in the subsequent dialog.
Note
The license file is included in the email message you received from SmartBear after requesting a ReadyAPI license.
There is no need to unzip the license file. You can specify the
.zipfile name.
Tip
To learn how to check out a Floating license, see Check Out Floating Licenses.
Click Next.
Activate license
On the next page of the wizard, select Offline
Note
The Online and Online with Proxy options correspond to online activation. See Activate Fixed License Online.
The wizard shows instructions on what you should do and the data you must send to the SmartBear license server:
Please go to the offline activation/deactivation page, choose the ‘Activate License’ action, and fill in the form with the License Number and the Activation Key.
Important
Proceed with the activation only after you receive an email with an activation key from SmartBear.
Usually, this happens within several minutes.
The SmartBear license service will activate your license and provide you with the activation file that you can use to activate your local ReadyAPI copy.
Copy the activation.key file to the computer where you want to activate the license.
Important
Do not rename the activation file. It may cause an error.
Click Next.
On the next page, specify the key file you received from the SmartBear license server and click Finish to complete the activation.
Install renewal license
After receiving a renewal license, you can install it. Click Install License and specify the license. When the start date of the renewal license comes, ReadyAPI will automatically bring up the activation dialog with the same credentials as those of your previous license. If you deactivate the license, both licenses will be deactivated and exported to a single file.
Note
After you activate a license, it becomes bound to your computer. You cannot activate this license again until you deactivate it.
If you want to move the license to another machine, you first need to export and deactivate it on your computer and then activate it on the desired machine.
If you change the system settings (the username, computer name, and so on), you may lose your license. To avoid this, we recommend that you deactivate the license and activate it again after you make changes.
In case of an error
In case of an error, you will see a message explaining the problem. See Troubleshooting for information on typical issues and possible solutions.
If you are unable to solve the problem, contact our Support Team. We will be glad to help you.