StoryFolder Help

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Activation problems ​

When the desktop app and your StoryFolder account don't see eye to eye, you'll see issues like a stuck sign-in flow, a "maximum activations reached" message, or a subscription that should be active showing as expired. Here's how to fix each.

The browser opened but the desktop app didn't activate ​

This is the most common one. The desktop app expected to receive a "you're authenticated" handoff via a storyfolder:// URL but didn't.

  1. Make sure the desktop app is still running.
  2. If the browser shows an Open StoryFolder button, click it. Click Always allow in any browser prompt about storyfolder:// links.
  3. If nothing happens, copy the full activation URL from your browser's address bar.
  4. Switch back to the desktop app's Sign In screen.
  5. Paste the URL into the activation input (development mode) and press Enter.

If that didn't work, see Reset license for a clean slate.

"Maximum activations reached" ​

You're at your plan's machine limit. To free a slot:

  1. Go to storyfolder.com/account → Machines.
  2. Identify a machine you don't need active anymore.
  3. Click Deactivate.
  4. Return to the desktop app and click Connect your account again.

If you need more concurrent machines, see Compare plans — Business gives you 3 slots.

My subscription is active but the app thinks it's expired ​

The desktop app caches your activation status and re-validates periodically. If you've just upgraded, renewed, or fixed a payment issue, force a refresh:

  1. Open Preferences → Account.
  2. Click Reload License.
  3. The app re-fetches your plan and renewal date from the server.

If that doesn't help, deactivate and re-activate the machine.

My subscription is canceled but I still see Pro features ​

If you cancel during a paid period, you keep access through the end of that period. The desktop app reflects what the server tells it. When the period ends, Reload License will sync the new state.

I switched accounts — the app still thinks I'm the old user ​

The desktop app holds an activation for one account at a time. To switch:

  1. Open Preferences → Account.
  2. Click Deactivate Machine.
  3. Click Connect your account and sign in with the new email.

I'm offline — will activation still work? ​

The desktop app keeps a cached activation that's valid for several days of offline use. If you're going on a flight or off the grid:

  • Sign in before you leave.
  • The app will keep working offline for at least a few days.
  • When you reconnect, license validation runs again automatically.

Reset everything ​

If activation feels truly stuck, the simplest fix is to wipe the local activation and start fresh:

→ Reset license

Still stuck? ​

Send us your logs and a screenshot of any error message, plus the email on your account:

→ Send us your logs → Contact support