> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.screenshepherd.live/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Activating a Mac

> Getting your licence key, and putting it into the Mac in the booth.

The first time you open ScreenShepherd on a Mac it asks to be activated. This
happens once.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Get a licence key">
    Go to [screenshepherd.live](https://screenshepherd.live) and start your free
    trial. You will need an email address, a name for your church, and a card.

    You are not charged for seven days.

    Your licence key is shown as soon as you have signed up. It looks like
    **SS-4K2M-9PQR-T7VW**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Paste it into ScreenShepherd">
    Open ScreenShepherd on the Mac in the booth. It says **This Mac isn't
    activated yet**.

    Paste the key into the box and press **Activate**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="That is it">
    ScreenShepherd starts, and goes on to [First run](/setup/first-run).

    You will not be asked again on this Mac.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## One Mac at a time

One subscription activates one Mac. That is the Mac in the booth.

If you replace it, or reinstall, free the old one first: go to your account on
[screenshepherd.live](https://screenshepherd.live), find the Mac listed there
and press **this mac is no longer used**. Then activate the new one with the
same key.

## Your key later

Your licence key is always on your account page at
[screenshepherd.live](https://screenshepherd.live). You do not need to write it
down.

## If it will not activate

ScreenShepherd tells you why rather than just refusing.

|                                   |                                               |
| --------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| The key is already on another Mac | Free that Mac on your account page first.     |
| The subscription has lapsed       | Open your account page and check the card.    |
| It cannot reach the internet      | The Mac needs to be online for this one step. |

After that first step it runs offline — see
[Licence and account](/setup/account).