License Activation & Management

Last Updated: 2026-05-27 | Applies to: IK v1.2+

License Activation

Method 1: Popup Activation (Automatic)

After installation, a premium popup appears automatically:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐│         🔑 Activate Your School              ││  Unlock premium features, auto updates      ││  & priority support                         │├─────────────────────────────────────────────┤│  License Key:                               ││  ┌─────────────────────────────────────┐    ││  │  IK-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX             │    ││  └─────────────────────────────────────┘    ││                                             ││  [⚡ Activate License Now]                  ││                                             ││  ✓ Auto Updates    ✓ Premium Support        ││  ✓ Cloud Monitoring ✓ Enhanced Security     │├─────────────────────────────────────────────┤│  Need a license? Get one here →             ││  Continue without license                   │└─────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Method 2: License Page

Navigate to: IK Settings → License (or visit admin.php?page=ik-license)

License States

License Validation Flow

1. You enter license key2. System sends to: https://institutionkit.com/wp-json/ik/v1/validate-license   ├── license_key: IK-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX   ├── domain: yourschool.com   └── version: 1.2.23. Server validates:   ├── Key exists? ✓   ├── Domain matches? ✓   ├── Not expired? ✓   └── Signature valid? ✓4. Response stored in wp_options:   ├── ik_license_status: active   ├── ik_license_checked_at: 2026-05-27 10:30:00   └── ik_license_expires: 2027-05-275. Rechecked every 7 days

License API Security

Request Security:

php

// HMAC signature with daily salt$salt = 'ik_req_salt_7xK9mP2qL5nR8vW3_' . date('Ymd');$token = hash_hmac('sha256', $domain . '|' . $key, $salt);

Response Verification:

php

// Server signs response$sig_data = $license_id . '|' . $domain . '|' . $status . '|' . $days_left;$expected_sig = hash_hmac('sha256', $sig_data, 'ik_res_salt_4bN6yH1jF9cA3dE7');

Renewing Your License

1. Visit: https://institutionkit.com/renew
2. Purchase renewal
3. New key or automatic extension
4. Re-enter key if provided new one
5. Status updates on next check

Transferring License Between Domains

1. Deactivate on old site first
2. Contact support with new domain
3. License reassigned to new domain
4. Activate on new site

Troubleshooting License Issues

Problem: "License shows invalid but I just purchased"Solution:

1. Wait 5 minutes for license to propagate
2. Check key has no extra spaces
3. Verify domain matches purchase

Problem: "License expired but I renewed"Solution:

1. Go to IK License page
2. Click "Check License Status"
3. If still expired, contact support

Problem: "Could not connect to license server"Solution:

1. Check server firewall allows outbound HTTPS
2. Verify curl PHP extension is enabled
3. Check if wp_remote_post() works