How to Activate Waves Licenses

Jun 24, 2024

Learn how to activate Waves licenses directly to your computer or to a USB flash drive, using the Waves Central application. These instructions only apply for licenses that are currently not activated.

Please note that licenses can be activated to one device at a time (computer or USB flash drive).

Important Notes:

Licenses can be activated on one device at a time (computer or USB flash drive).
Check which software version is most suitable for your system and DAW.
Waves Creative Access subscription licenses and perpetual (non-subscription) V15 -V9 licenses are backwards-compatible and will also activate older version software (V9 and above), if the product/s in question exist in that software version.

Click here for an interactive tutorial in Waves Central

Please follow these steps:

Launch Waves Central
Windows: via the desktop shortcut or via Start Menu > All Programs > Waves Central.
Mac: Applications > Waves Central.
Select the Licenses page.
Select Not Activated at the top of the page.
Choose the license/s you wish to activate. Selected licenses will appear in the list on the right.
Choose the target device for the activated license/s.
Click the Activate button.

Learn how to Move Your Licenses to a different device.

If you need any assistance, please contact Tech Support.