SIGH... don't get your hopes up. It still uses iLok... Just not iLok Cloud.
If you've been using UAD plugins today, you might want to check your UA Connect app. I just got this notification.



Additionally, I can confirm that after doing the license transfer to local machine, the plugins load much faster now.

 

Last edited: Mar 27, 2025

Uninstalled it for this reason might have to check them out again...

 

*nevermind*

 

Last edited: Mar 29, 2025

Aren't they useless without the hardware?

 

No they have a native version now

 

Well, that's how the plugins used to work. But in recent years they have released Native versions of their plugins that don't need the hardware to run them. And up until this point they relied on iLok for auth, but now, they don't.

 

I turned on my PC and I got it. Maybe do a restart or simply close and reopen UAD connect

 

Don't confuse local hardware licensing with not needing iLok licensing. There are various forms of iLok licensing, and some require an iLok dongle, some iLok Cloud, and some use local iLok activation based upon the local computer itself.

Not needing iLok Cloud or an iLok USB dongle doesn't mean that something doesn't require iLok licensing at all.

 

killjoy!

 

Spark subscription plugins still require ilok, but if you own any perpetual, you can activate offline (no more iLok!).

 

This makes sense yes. I don't know how UA would be able to handle subscription licensing on a local machine without internet access anyway.

 

Please read my message (post) above..

 

From what I've been reading on the UADForum, this seems to only apply for plugins that were bought individually rather than those activated through a spark subscription, as one would expect anyway. So If you bought some UAD plugins, those will no longer be linked to iLok at all and instead linked to a local machine, offline auth.

Yep, dissapointed. Ignore the above comment. I was hoping it would be no iLok at ALL for perpetual licenses. Still though, offline auth might make it easier to crack?

 

Last edited: Mar 27, 2025

The headline is incredibly misleading…lol. It’s still uses iLok protection.
But good news, nonetheless w/ machine activation.

 

Some would say this is actually a step backwards as you can no longer install to multiple workstations and have the current workstation in-use be automatically activated by iLok Cloud.

If you don't own an iLok dongle then you have to depend on local activation which can result in the loss of one of your authorizations if you accidentally reformat and/or your computer hard drive crashes. iLok Cloud doesn't have this risk.

 

Last edited: Mar 27, 2025

Agreed. If I have to use the dreaded iLok, I rather it be iLok Cloud for the most flexibility.

 

as i have my shitty internet coming and going sometimes, this is a godsend for me, and yeah the plugins load faster. good move from uad

 

This is great news! As a producer who is often producing on the road, I have been avoiding UAD plugins lately because of their need for an internet connection. I have a studio pc and a laptop. Now I just machine activate on the two of those and I am good to go. iLok cloud has always been a pain in the ass because it requires a CONSTANT connection.