Switching to a new Mac is straightforward with Echo. Your licence key is the only thing you need to bring with you. This guide covers the standard move, what to do if you have reached your activation limit, and what to expect with your listening history on the new machine.
How Do I Move Echo to a New Mac?
The process mirrors a fresh install. Echo does not require you to 'transfer' anything from the old machine first -- just install and activate on the new one.
- Find your licence key. Check the confirmation email you received after purchase. It contains your key in the format
ECHO-XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX. Keep this email somewhere safe. - Download Echo on the new Mac. Visit the Echo website and download the latest version. Open the
.dmg, drag Echo to your Applications folder, and launch it. - Activate with your licence key. When Echo opens for the first time, it will ask for your licence key. Enter it and confirm. Activation requires an internet connection for a moment to verify the key.
- Grant permissions if prompted. macOS may ask Echo for accessibility or notification permissions, depending on your system settings. Allow these so Echo can detect what is playing.
- Enjoy Echo on your new Mac. Once activated, Echo starts tracking your listening history from that point forward on the new machine.
Your licence key is the only thing standing between you and Echo on any new machine. Save the confirmation email to a safe place, such as a notes app or password manager, so it is easy to find next time.
What If I Have Reached My 3-Mac Limit?
Your licence covers up to 3 Macs at the same time. If all three activation slots are already in use, activating on a new Mac will not succeed until you free one up.
The simplest approach is to deactivate Echo on the old Mac before setting up the new one:
- On the old Mac, open Echo from the menu bar.
- Navigate to the licence or account section of the settings.
- Choose the option to deactivate or remove your licence from this Mac.
- The activation slot is released immediately, and you can activate on the new Mac straight away.
If the old Mac is no longer accessible -- for example, it has been lost, damaged, or already been wiped -- you will not be able to deactivate it yourself. In that case, email support@theodorehq.com and the team can free the activation slot for you. See how Echo licence activation works for more background on this process.
If you see an error during activation that mentions a limit or maximum devices, this is the most likely cause. Deactivate on one of your existing Macs and try again. If you are still stuck, contact support.
What Happens to My Listening History?
Echo stores all listening history locally on the Mac it is installed on. There is no cloud sync between machines. This is by design: your data stays on your device, and nothing is sent to external servers. See where Echo stores your data for a full explanation.
When you set up Echo on a new Mac, it starts a fresh local history on that machine. Your old history remains on the old Mac until you choose to remove it. If you want to continue building your listening record, just keep using Echo on the new machine -- it picks up from the moment you activate.
There is no way to export history from one Mac and import it to another at this time. The history you see in Echo on the new Mac will reflect only what has played since you activated there.
Can I Run Echo on Multiple Macs at the Same Time?
Yes. Your licence allows up to 3 active installations simultaneously. If you use a desktop and a laptop, for example, you can have Echo running on both. Each Mac maintains its own separate history. There is no merging or syncing between them.
Frequently asked
Do I need to buy Echo again for my new Mac?
What if I have lost my licence key?
Will my listening history transfer to the new Mac?
My old Mac is broken and I cannot deactivate Echo. What should I do?
Echo Moves With You
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