# Licensing

hypershot offers a free trial period and flexible licensing options.

## Free trial

New users receive a **7-day free trial** with full access to all features.

### Trial features
- All capture modes (area, window, full screen)
- Complete annotation toolkit
- All export formats (PNG, JPEG, plus WebP, HEIC, TIFF and BMP where your OS supports them)
- Settings customization
- Keyboard shortcuts

### Trial expiration
When your trial expires:
- You'll see a trial expiration notice on launch
- You can purchase a license to continue using hypershot
- Your existing captures and settings remain intact

## Activating your license

### Purchase options

**Lifetime License**
- One-time purchase
- Valid across all major versions
- Never expires

**Version License**
- Tied to a specific major version (e.g., v1.x)
- Includes all minor updates and bug fixes
- Upgrade discounts available for new major versions

### Activation methods

#### 1. In-app activation
1. Open hypershot Settings (or choose **License** from the menu bar / tray menu)
2. Go to the **About** tab
3. Enter your license key in the license key field
4. Click **Activate**

#### 2. URL scheme activation
If you received an activation link:
1. Click the `hypershot://activate?key=YOUR_KEY` link
2. hypershot will open and automatically activate

#### 3. Manual entry
Copy and paste your license key directly into the license key field in **Settings → About**. License keys are in the format:
```
XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX
```

## Managing your license

### View license status
Open Settings → About to see:
- Current license status (Trial / Active / Expired / Suspended)
- License type (Lifetime / Version)
- License key and number of active devices
- Activation date
- Associated email

hypershot distinguishes an ended trial, an expired paid license, a suspended
license, and a key that no longer exists — each gets its own message, so paid
customers are never told their "trial ended." Suspended or deleted keys show a
support contact instead of a purchase button.

Licenses are re-checked every four hours (and when Settings → About opens or
the Mac wakes from sleep), so renewals and reactivations take effect on their
own.

### Deactivate license
To move your license to a new computer:
1. Open Settings → About
2. Click **Deactivate License**
3. Activate on your new machine

If you no longer have access to the old computer, use the
[manage page](/docs/hypershot/settings/manage-devices) instead — sign in with
your purchase email and license key to deactivate the old device from any
browser.

> **Note**
> Every license — v1.x or Lifetime — is for one person on up to **three personal devices** (see the [Terms of Service](/legal/terms)). Deactivating a device frees its slot for another.

## Troubleshooting

### "Invalid License Key"
- Check for typos or extra spaces
- Ensure you're using the correct key format
- Verify the key hasn't been used on too many devices

### "License Already in Use"
- Deactivate the license on your old computer first
- Contact support if you've lost access to the old machine

### "Trial Reset Detected"
This warning appears if system changes suggest trial tampering. Contact support if you believe this is an error.

### Activation failed
1. Check your internet connection
2. Verify firewall isn't blocking hypershot
3. Try URL scheme activation as an alternative
4. Contact support with your license key and error message

## Getting support

**Email:** support@hypernuclear.com  
**In-App:** Settings → Help → Contact (hypershot 1.3.2 and later)

Include your license key (or trial status) and a description of the issue.

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From https://hypernuclear.com/docs/hypershot/settings/licensing/