I have a license key but I can’t install it

The following instructions apply to older versions of our applications, including:

• OmniFocus for Mac 3.8.1 and earlier
• OmniGraffle for Mac 7.16 and earlier
• OmniOutliner for Mac 5.6.1 and earlier
• OmniPlan for Mac 3.14.2 and earlier

There are a few common reasons why you may experience trouble installing a license key. Note, if you purchased the app through the Mac App Store — i.e. don’t have a license key — please refer to our help article I purchased your app from the Mac App Store, but the app is asking for a license.

The application was downloaded from Apple’s Mac App Store

Our desktop apps are available to purchase directly from the Omni Group online store or through Apple’s Mac App Store. Both are separate distribution channels and each store utilizes its own specific download.

If we’ve provided you with a license key, you’ll want to be sure you’re running an Omni Group download — available from our Downloads page — rather than a Mac App Store download. If you’re not sure where the download came from, read our help article How to tell if you purchased from our store or the Mac App Store.

Once you’ve downloaded the software from our website, follow the steps provided in our How to add a license key to our Mac apps article. When you’re all set with installing your license, you may delete the Mac App Store download.

The license is issued for a different software application

Double-check that you’re not trying to enter an OmniFocus code into OmniOutliner, for instance, or an OmniGraffle Professional 5 code into OmniGraffle 5 Standard.

Note: OmniFocus 2, OmniPlan 3, OmniOutliner 4 and later, and OmniGraffle 6 and later are now all-in-one downloads with both feature sets included in a single app. When you enter your license, the appropriate feature set will be activated, though the name of the app will not change.

The license is issued for a different major version

Our licenses are specific to that major version of the application. For instance, you can use an OmniFocus 1 license with all OmniFocus 1.x releases, but not OmniFocus 2. If you’re not sure what version of the app you’re running, check the About panel, located in the application menu next to the Apple menu (the Apple logo in the upper-left of your screen). For more info, see Finding the revision number of an Omni app on macOS.

If you need to download a different version, our Downloads page provides links to re-download the latest versions of our apps, as well as select previous versions. If you don’t see the version you need, please contact sales@omnigroup.com for further assistance.

One (or both) of the license values may contain an error when being entered

Our licenses are a two-part code: License Owner and License Key. Both values must be entered exactly as issued when receiving your order invoice. This includes any [EDUCATIONAL LICENSE] text, and both fields must be entered exactly correct, with no spaces, tabs, or other characters added to either end. You’ll also want to keep in mind that license keys are always a 23-character string of letters separated with dashes, in the following format: “XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXX”

If you purchased the license direct from our online store, the original invoice sent from our sales@omnigroup.com email address will include your license details. We recommend copying and pasting the license from the invoice to minimize the occurrence of typos.

If you don’t have the original invoice to refer to, or wish to confirm your license information with our records, try our automated Lost Licenses page. You’re also welcome to get in touch with our sales department at sales@omnigroup.com for further licensing assistance.