Fix - Save project with active license

Who this article is for

Anyone who has an activated ATLAS.ti license but is unable to save their project in ATLAS.ti Desktop, or encounters messages indicating that saving is restricted despite having a valid license for ATLAS.ti Desktop (Windows/Mac).

How to save your ATLAS.ti Windows/Mac project

Follow the steps below if ATLAS.ti does not allow you to save your project.

Step 1 – Confirm your license is activated

First, verify that your license is activated in your ATLAS.ti account.

1. Go to https://my.atlasti.com
2. Sign in with your ATLAS.ti account email and password
3. Check the My Licenses section
4. Make sure your license appears and is active.
5. If the license is not listed, you may need to activate your license key first.

Step 2 – Make sure you are logged in with the correct account

• The ATLAS.ti Desktop application must connect to the same account where the license is activated.
• If you have multiple ATLAS.ti accounts, make sure you are logged in with the email address associated with the activated license.
• Logging in with a different account may cause ATLAS.ti to run in trial or limited mode, which can prevent saving.

Step 3 – Confirm your license includes Desktop access

Monthly subscriptions include access to ATLAS.ti Web (web.atlasti.com) only. If your license does not include Desktop access, the Desktop application may run in trial or limited mode, which can prevent you from saving projects. To verify your license type:

1. Log in to https://my.atlasti.com
2. Check your license details under My Licenses
3. Confirm whether your license includes Desktop (Windows/Mac) access.
4. If your license is Web-only, continue working in: https://web.atlasti.com

Step 4 – Refresh the license connection in ATLAS.ti Desktop

If your license includes Desktop access but ATLAS.ti still behaves as if it is in trial mode, refresh the license connection.

• Windows

  • Open ATLAS.ti
  • Go to File > Options > ATLAS.ti
  • Click Check for Updated License

• Mac

  • Open ATLAS.ti
  • Go to ATLAS.ti → License
  • Click Check for Updated License

This refreshes the connection between the application and your ATLAS.ti account and updates the license status.

Common issues and mistakes

• The license was not activated yet
  • If the license key was purchased but not activated in My ATLAS.ti, ATLAS.ti Desktop or Web will continue running with trial limitations.
• Logging in with the wrong account
  • If you have multiple ATLAS.ti accounts, you may accidentally log in with an account that does not hold the license.
• Using a Web-only license in the Desktop application
  • Monthly subscriptions may provide access to ATLAS.ti Web only, not the Desktop version.
• The license connection was not refreshed
  • Sometimes ATLAS.ti Desktop needs to refresh the license connection before recognizing an activated license.

When to contact support

Contact ATLAS.ti Support if:

• Your license appears active in My ATLAS.ti, but you still cannot save your project
• The Desktop application continues to run in trial or limited mode despite having a valid license
• Refreshing the license connection does not resolve the issue

When contacting support, please include:

• The email address associated with your ATLAS.ti account
• Your license key or license ID
• A description of the issue
• Screenshots, if possible