Activation

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Activation is a license or service validation procedure. It may involve sending information about a device, a license or a licensee to a service provider, and receiving some information that is entered into the device.

For example, Microsoft Windows version 7 and later would collect information about a computer when they were installed. They create a fingerprint of the hardware, and generate a code based on that. Function was limited until the program was activated. One could activate it by telephoning the manufacturer, reading the code, and getting a code in return to enter in to the program. Activation could also be done online.

Online activation, also known as cloud-based activation, is the requirement to connect to the Internet before activating a product or software that the end user paid for. Examples include:

• Some operating systems such as iOS and Windows 11 require registering an account with the device vendor to be set up before first use.
• Xiaomi requires registering an account to be able to unlock the bootloader.
• Some DJI drones and Insta360 cameras require to be linked to a smartphone before first use.

Disadvantages

• The activation of purchased products often require users to transmit hardware identifiers and product keys to manufacturers for verification purposes, though the extent of personal data collection varies by implementation.
• For online activation it can be unsafe to connect a device to a network before it has the latest security updates. However, getting and installing the latest security updates can be difficult without a fully functioning device. For example with Windows, if you have a computer with a functional current version of Windows you can download security updates for offline installation. They make this very difficult for those who do not yet have Windows.
• Given that services shut down all the time, activation services can be lost, leaving the user with an unusable product. When the manufacturer regards the product as reaching end of life, they may stop providing activations. However some products may be in service for decades after the manufacturer ceases support.
• Due to many parts of the world having no/slow internet access, some users can be incapable of activating the product they purchased.
• Providers can limit activations or arbitrarily revoke access. For example, Xiaomi only allows one bootloader unlock per person per 30 days and four phones per year, in addition to a week-long delay after purchase.