BetterDisplay v5 upgrade FAQ

Find out whether your existing Pro license covers BetterDisplay 5 and what happens when you update an already activated installation. An outdated license remains valid for the versions it covers; this FAQ explains the difference between preserving an existing activation and activating v5 again.

At a glance

Your situation What it means for BetterDisplay 5
Pro purchased on or after January 1, 2025 Your license covers v5, including fresh activation.
Pro purchased before January 1, 2025 Your license is outdated for v5; a current license is required for a new activation.
Built-in update of an already activated installation with an outdated license Pro remains active, with an outdated-license warning.
Fresh or deactivated v5 installation with an outdated license The old key cannot activate v5. Purchase a current license or use a previous version supported by your license.

Compatibility

Which Macs and macOS versions can run v5?

BetterDisplay 5 supports Apple silicon and Intel Macs. The v5 release family is for macOS Tahoe 26 and later; the app requires macOS 26.3 or later. Check the minimum macOS version of the release you download.

For earlier macOS versions, use a compatible previous release. Official downloads and the release archive include older versions. Intel hardware alone does not require staying on v4 when the Mac meets the v5 release's macOS requirement.

Upgrade eligibility and purchase

Is v5 a free Pro upgrade?

Yes, if you purchased Pro on or after January 1, 2025. Eligibility is based on purchase date, including some v3 purchasers and all v4 purchasers. Purchases before that date are outdated for v5; please purchase a current license to cover continued use of the new major version.

Is the upgrade free for non-Pro users?

Yes. Non-business users can continue using free features without purchasing Pro, provided the Mac meets the app's system requirements. Business use beyond the trial still requires a license.

Is there an upgrade discount?

There is no separate cheaper upgrade license or upgrade discount. Purchases considered outdated for v5 have already received an extended period of updates and a complimentary major-version upgrade. A license remains perpetual for the major versions it covers; it is not a subscription.

If I buy through an older app, does the new license cover v5?

Yes. A new purchase through either the official website or an older app's in-app checkout is a current purchase and covers v5. You do not need to install v5 before purchasing.

Can a newly purchased license activate an older app version?

Yes. New licenses also cover older versions when needed for compatibility. Buying Pro does not require you to stop using a version that works with your setup.

Can the purchase-date cutoff be extended for my license?

The published policy does not make exceptions for purchases shortly before January 1, 2025. An already activated installation can retain Pro after an in-app update as described below, but that does not make the license eligible for a fresh v5 activation.

Existing and new activations

Will updating immediately deactivate my outdated license?

No. When you update an already activated installation through the built-in updater, Pro remains active. An Outdated License warning appears in the app menu and Settings > Pro. You can dismiss the notice and purchase a current license afterward.

This continuity applies to the existing activation. Deactivating or reinstalling can leave you unable to activate v5 again with that outdated key.

What if I am not ready to purchase another license?

You can keep using a previous app version supported by your existing license. An already activated installation can also technically retain Pro access after an in-place update to v5, accompanied by the outdated-license notice. The warning signals that the old license does not cover the new version; the license terms still apply.

Why is my old key rejected after a fresh installation or deactivation?

Outdated keys cannot newly activate v5. Purchase a current license or install a previous major version supported by your license. Re-entering the same outdated key cannot restore the earlier in-place activation.

Can I make the warning less prominent?

The preferred way to remove the warning is to activate a current license. To retain the existing activation while reducing the notice, use Dismiss or the close button on the warning in Settings > Pro.

In the current interface, open Settings > Menu > Additional Menu Options… > Tools and enable Hide warnings in the button bar. Earlier releases call this Hide warnings in the menu bar, under Additional menu options. This also hides accessibility-related warnings in that part of the menu; it does not change license coverage or activation state.

The illustrated Pro pane reference explains these notices. Do not choose Deactivate and Buy or Enter New License unless you intend to replace the existing activation.

Perpetual licenses and older releases

Why can a major upgrade require another purchase?

A perpetual license covers the major versions included in the purchase, rather than every future major release. Each purchase includes at least one year of updates, including any major release within that period. For v5, free-upgrade eligibility was extended to purchases on or after January 1, 2025.

Your existing license does not expire for its covered versions, and a new release does not remove the features of those versions. The terms explain this coverage.

Must I upgrade if I use an Intel Mac or an older macOS version?

No. Use the release compatible with your Mac and license. Intel Macs meeting the current macOS requirement can use v5; v4 remains an option for earlier macOS versions or for users who prefer to stay with it. Check the chosen release's notes for compatibility with newer macOS versions, rather than assuming every v4 build has the same fixes.