Licensing FortiClient EMS

There are several licensing options available with FortiClient EMS. You can use these licenses to manage Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, or Chromebook endpoints. For information on the different license types available, see License types.

There are two ways to activate, upgrade, or renew a FortiClient EMS license:

• Licensing EMS by logging in to FortiCloud: You can log in to your FortiCloud account to activate EMS using that account. Once an EMS license expires, EMS uses the FortiCloud account to obtain a new license file, if available on that account. You can use this method to apply a trial or paid license to EMS. This is the primary licensing method for EMS.
• Uploading a license file: You can upload a license file to EMS. This functions in the same way as EMS versions prior to 6.2.0. You must use this backup licensing method only if you cannot license EMS by logging into FortiCare.

You must activate an EMS license before you can manage and provision any endpoints with EMS.

You can license an EMS instance that is in an isolated environment and completely isolated from the Internet using an Air-Gap license. To obtain an Air-Gap license, contact Fortinet Customer Service & Support.

Although the option to upload a license file is available in the EMS GUI, FortiCloud does not provide EMS 7.4 license files. You cannot use this option to activate, upgrade, or renew an EMS 7.4 license.

If you attempt to license EMS with a license that only later versions support, a Future License error appears. For example, thise error displays if you attempt to license EMS 6.4.2 or an earlier version with a zero trust network access license.