Skip to content
Containly
EnglishDeutsch
Account Get started
On this page

Activate and move a licence

Activate a Containly Pro key, how it works offline, and how to move a licence to another installation.

A Pro licence unlocks unlimited Docker hosts, Microsoft Entra ID single sign-on and the appearance themes. For backups, Pro adds schedules, scheduled verification, the S3, SFTP, SMB and NFS targets and restoring to another host (SMB, NFS and restore to another host from Containly 2.5.0); see the backup guide. You buy it in the Containly shop, the key arrives by e-mail and starts with CL1-. Keys from the shop need Containly 2.1.0 or newer.

Activate the key

  1. In Containly open Settings, Version and licence.
  2. Paste the key under "Have a key?" and click Activate.
  3. The card then shows plan, paid until, last and next check and the installations in use.

The key is stored in the database of this instance (data volume). It stays active across restarts and updates.

How the licence check works

Activation binds the key to this installation (a random installation id, not the hostname) and stores a signed lease. Pro is decided locally from that lease, so Containly keeps working offline. The lease is renewed on start, about every 24 hours and with "Check now". To reach the licence server, the Containly server needs outbound HTTPS to containly.ch.

If the licence server cannot be reached, the current lease stays valid until it expires (plus up to 14 days if it expired while the server was unreachable). A definitive answer (revoked, refunded, cancelled after the paid period, unknown licence) ends Pro right away.

One licence, one installation

A licence covers one Containly installation with any number of Docker hosts. If the key is already active on another installation, the licence card says so, names that installation (hostname, last seen) and explains how to move it.

Move to another server

Either way frees the place on the licence:

  • On the old installation: Settings, Version and licence, Deactivate. That instance then runs as Free again. Activate the key on the new installation.
  • In your Containly account: sign in, open the licence and click "Free for a move" next to the old installation. The old server loses Pro at its next licence check (about once a day); the place is free right away. Up to 3 frees per licence within 24 hours.

A backup of the Containly configuration takes the key along, but a restore on another instance needs a new activation.

Subscription, invoices, cancelling

Paddle is our reseller and handles payment, invoices and cancelling. In your Containly account, open the licence page and choose Cancel subscription. Opening the dialog does not cancel immediately. The Paddle customer portal remains available for invoices, payment methods and as a cancellation fallback. A cancelled subscription keeps Pro until the end of the paid period.

Still stuck? Write to support@containly.ch or open a request in your account.