Can you download Final Draft on multiple computers?
The answer is yes. You can download Final Draft on as many computers as you want, but there are limitations. You can only use two active computers at the same time.
This seems like a straightforward question and answer, but there are subtle nuances to consider.
In this article, we’ll answer all of the related questions so that you get the information you need to know about Final Draft downloads, installations, and activations.
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On How Many Computers Can I Install Final Draft?
You can install or download Final Draft onto as many computers as you want.
That means you can install Final Draft on one, two, three, or ten computers. There is no limit. That’s great news because it gives you maximum value for your money.
To be hyper-clear, you can install Final Draft on an unlimited number of Windows or Mac desktop computers or laptops.
However, Final Draft is not compatible with Chromebooks. There is a possible workaround, but you are better off investing in a computer that works perfectly with the software.
These computers are compatible with Final Draft:
| Computer | Price Range | Learn More |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Macbook Pro | $$ | Learn More |
| Microsoft Surface Book | $$ | Learn More |
| Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga | $ | Learn More |
Keep in mind that you need internet access for the installation and activation of Final Draft. Although Final Draft is not web-based, you do need this one-time access to the internet.
Therefore, I suggest that you complete all installation and activation where you have solid and secure Wifi or internet access. After activation, you can use Final Draft on the device without the internet.
On How Many Computers Can I Activate Final Draft?
You can activate Final Draft on two computers. Even though you can install Final Draft on multiple computers, you can only activate two of those computers at a time.
This means it’s important to wisely choose which two computers you want to activate.
How do you choose?
Keep the following things in mind:
- You probably want to activate your home computer (or main computer) where you work the most.
- You might want to activate a secondary computer, like your laptop so that you can work on the go.
- You can also choose to activate a computer where you have access to Final Draft files for online editing, then deactivate it when you are finished with those edits so that your other computers remain active.
- You might want to share your Final Draft with a friend or collaborator.
- You might want to install Final Draft at your office so that you can work on your scripts on breaks and other downtimes.
- You might want to temporarily install your Final Draft on a computer at a hotel, Airbnb, or other short-term living space.
These are just a few of the many ways that you might want to use your two activations.
How Many Times Can I Install Final Draft?
When you purchase Final Draft, you get unlimited downloads.
There is no limit to how many times you can install Final Draft. To use an extreme example, if you want, you can install Final Draft on 1000 computers.
However, in reality, you can only use two active computers at any time.
Why Download Final Draft on Multiple Computers?
Many screenwriters want to maximize their investment in Final Draft (it’s not cheap) by using the screenwriting software on several computers. This is perfectly understandable.
Final Draft is easy to use, but there are ways to make it even easier. Installing Final Draft on several computers is one great method.
That way, you don’t spend endless time downloading the software to new devices.
Instead, you install Final Draft on your most used computers, so that you can focus on writing scripts not waiting for the program to install. Installing Final Draft is free and unlimited, so there is no reason not to download it to multiple computers.
Another reason to install Final Draft on multiple computers is to collaborate with a writing partner, beta reader, or simply to share Final Draft with another writer.
What’s the Difference Between Final Draft Installation and Activation?
There is a difference between installing Final Draft and activating Final Draft. The main difference is whether or not you can actively use Final Draft. You can install Final Draft on as many computers as you want, but only two of those installations can be active.
An activated installation means the Final Draft application and all associated files are installed and accessible for use.
As you might have guessed, you need to deactivate unused computers if you want to activate a new computer or device. You do not need to uninstall Final Draft to deactivate it.
Let’s say you activated your home computer and laptop. Then, you bought a new laptop. If you want to use Final Draft on your new laptop, you need to first deactivate Final Draft on your old laptop.
You probably want to deactivate and uninstall Final Draft from any computer that you no longer use (such as old devices or computers you used temporarily when traveling or working). That way you don’t unintentionally block yourself from activating another computer. It’s also a security risk to leave the software installed on a random computer.
If I Install Final Draft on Another Computer, Will My Scripts Get Transferred Automatically?
If you install and activate Final Draft on a new computer, you might wonder if your scripts get automatically transferred from the old device to the new device.
No, your scripts will not get transferred automatically. Final Draft is not cloud-based software. It is designed to be installed on your computer’s hard drive.
You can set up an automatic sync using cloud-based services.
Other options include:
- Save your files to a USB drive.
- Save your files to an external hard drive.
- Manually upload your files to a cloud service.
- Send your files via email.
It’s also possible to share Final Draft on a network, but that is beyond the scope of Final Draft technical support.
Can I Copy an Installation of Final Draft From One Computer to Another?
You can copy an installation of the last several versions of Final Draft (currently 9-12) to a new computer. However, you do not need to copy an installation. Final Draft recommends that you perform a new install on each computer.
If you copy an installation from one computer to another, the software might not work properly—and who has time for that? To avoid technical issues that slow down your screenwriting, simply perform a fresh install each time.
You might want to deactivate Final Draft from the old computer so you can use the new one (if you have a total of two activated already).
If you want to copy your scripts, simply save them, share them, or sync them with the related information shared earlier in this article.
Can Two People Share Final Draft?
While Final Draft clearly states on their website that only one “owner” should use one purchased copy of Final Draft, there is nothing stopping you from sharing Final Draft with another person.
Yes, it’s frowned upon by Final Draft. They say on their website that it is not allowed. But there is no Final Draft police that will hunt you down. As far as I can tell, there will be no consequences.
There is a downside, though. The other user will not be able to access technical support (at least not easily).
For these reasons, I don’t recommend sharing Final Draft with another person. The potential squidgy ethical issues and lack of technical support mean that it’s probably not worth it.
Does Final Draft Offer Real-Time Collaboration?
Yes, Final Draft offers real-time collaboration. The Beat Board is one of the options for editing scripts collaboratively. With the ability to synchronize scripts and notes in real-time, it resembles a shared Google document or spreadsheet.
Here is a 6-minute video tutorial from Final Draft that shows you how collaborations work:
In older versions, the Final Draft online collaboration service only allowed one person to write at a time. In newer versions, multiple people can request and receive editing rights from the person who started the session.
Here are few important notes about Final Draft collaboration:
- You will need internet service for real-time collaboration.
- One user hosts the collaboration.
- Multiple writers can write, edit, and message on screen at the same time.
- Writers can work on different pages of the script at the exact same time.
- You can message any writer (or all writers) involved in the collaboration, at any time.
Do Both People Need Final Draft To Collaborate?
All people in collaboration need their own version of the Final Draft software. All parties need their own personal Final Draft user account to collaborate through the real-time service.
This is, of course, means all collaborators must purchase Final Draft.
What if you only want to collaborate temporarily?
If everyone does not want to purchase their own version of Final Draft, you can use a free collaboration service like Google Docs to edit scripts at the same time. You simply upload the script to Google docs, give everyone access, and edit the script together.
Final Thoughts on “Can You download Final Draft on Multiple Computers?“
I hope this article answered all of your most pressing questions about installing and activating Final Draft on multiple computers.
Final Draft offers tons of functionality, but it can be expensive. That’s one reason installing the software on multiple computers is such a great feature.
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