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Last updated on
May 16, 2021
How to activate and deactivate a Creative Cloud license or app: Sign in and sign out.
What is sign in?
To activate Creative Cloud apps, simply sign in to Creative Cloud with your Adobe ID, Facebook, or Google login.
When you sign in, you activate the Creative Cloud license and all installed apps and services that are associated with your account.
You can then use your apps and services normally. Activation—connecting an app with a valid license—is automatic. There are no serial numbers to track or codes to enter.
Here are some common situations when you might need to sign in:
- The first time you purchase a Creative Cloud plan.
- Whenever you download or update apps.
- When you install Creative Cloud apps on a new computer or use the same license in a new or multiple computers.
- After you upgrade or change your Creative Cloud plan. You’ll need to sign out and sign in again, to reset your Creative Cloud license.
Note:
Don’t have a Creative Cloud membership or trial yet? See Get started with Creative Cloud.
Sign in to Creative Cloud
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There are two ways to reach the sign-in screen. Choose whichever is easiest for you.
- Click the dimmed Creative Cloud icon, located in the taskbar (Windows) or Apple menu bar (Mac OS), to open the Creative Cloud desktop app. (If the Creative Cloud desktop app opens, you are already signed in.)
- Launch any Creative Cloud application installed on your computer. You should be prompted to sign in. If you aren’t, choose Help > Sign In (your Adobe ID). (If this option is dimmed or says Sign Out (your Adobe ID), you are already signed in.)
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Sign in with your with your Adobe ID and password, or with your social (Facebook or Google) account.
You can now use Creative Cloud services, install Creative Cloud apps, and launch Creative Cloud apps that you previously installed.
Note:If your applications are not listed properly or are still in trial mode, click the gear icon in the upper-right corner of the Creative Cloud desktop app, and choose Check for App Updates. You can also refresh the Creative Cloud desktop app by pressing Ctrl+Alt+R (Windows) or Command+Option+R (Mac OS).
Running into a problem? See Creative Cloud activation and sign-in troubleshooting.
What is sign out?
To deactivate Creative Cloud apps, simply sign out from Creative Cloud. You can either sign out from the Creative Cloud desktop app, or, you can sign out from any of the individual Creative Cloud apps.
Signing out deactivates all installed Creative Cloud applications and services associated with your Adobe ID on that computer. The apps are still installed, but they are no longer connected to a valid license. Sign in again to reactivate the license and use the apps and services.
Here are some common situations when you might need to sign out:
- After you upgrade or change your Creative Cloud plan. You’ll need to sign out and sign in again, to reset your Creative Cloud license.
- When you install Creative Cloud apps on a new computer.
Note:
A single license for Creative Cloud lets you install applications on two computers—for example, at home and at the office. If you want to install apps on a third computer, sign out of Creative Cloud on the computer that will no longer use the membership. Then, sign in to Creative Cloud on the new computer.
Sign out from Creative Cloud
You can sign out from the Creative Cloud desktop app or from any of the individual Creative Cloud apps.
Sign out from Creative Cloud desktop app
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Make sure your computer is connected to the Internet.
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Refresh your account information in the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application by using the following keyboard commands:
- Windows: Ctrl+Alt+R
- Mac OS: Cmd+Option+R
The Creative Cloud desktop app should restart automatically. If it doesn't, launch it manually. By default, the Creative Cloud desktop app is in the following locations:
- Windows: Choose Start > Programs > Adobe Creative Cloud.
- Mac OS: Choose Go > Applications > Adobe Creative Cloud > Adobe Creative Cloud.
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Click Sign out from your Profile menu.
Sign out of Creative Cloud
Sign out of Creative Cloud -
A confirmation dialog appears. Click Sign Out again. The Creative Cloud apps and services associated with your account are deactivated on that computer.
The Creative Cloud sign-out confirmation dialog box
The Creative Cloud sign-out confirmation dialog box
Sign out from a Creative Cloud individual app
To sign out from Creative Cloud, you can sign out from within any Creative Cloud app, such as Photoshop. Signing out of one Creative Cloud app deactivates all Creative Cloud apps associated with your Adobe ID on that computer.
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Make sure that your computer is connected to the Internet.
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Start the application.
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Choose Help > Sign Out.
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Click Sign Out.
Sign out from account page
You can also sign out of Creative Cloud by deactivating a device from your account page on adobe.com. This is a good option to use if you don't have access to your previous computer.
Note:
This option is not available in countries served by Digital River.
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Access your Adobe ID account online, and sign in with your Adobe ID and password, or with your social (Facebook or Google) account.
Note:Your Adobe ID is the email address you used when you first purchased an Adobe membership, application, or service.
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In the Plans & Products section, click Manage plan.
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Under Activated devices, click the x next to the device you want to deactivate.
Screen look different?
In countries served by Digital River, Adobe's e-commerce partner, the Manage plan page looks different and has different options available. After you click Manage plan, if you don't see an Activated devices section, use one of the other methods described above to sign out of your Creative Cloud apps.
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Click Deactivate.
To activate a device again, simply launch an Adobe application from that computer. You should be prompted to sign in. If not, choose Help > Sign In.
Note:Remember, you can only have two devices activated at any time. Make sure that you have only signed in to your Adobe apps on one other device before signing in (activating) on a second device.
Work offline
What if I need to be offline for awhile? Can I still access my Creative Cloud apps?
The Creative Cloud software verifies the account status on Adobe servers once a day. If the account is in good standing (that is, payment is up-to-date) when the last verification happens, the software status refreshes to run for at least 99 days offline.
Note:
Signing out and signing back in (while online) just before going offline for a long period ensures that the software works for at least 99 days without needing to connect.
The software still reminds you to connect to the Internet during this time. These reminders can be suppressed until the last 30 days, when a daily message prompts you to go online and refresh the software status.
For more information, see Internet connectivity, offline grace period, and reminders.
