---
title: Install your InfluxDB Clustered license
description: Install your InfluxDB Clustered license to authorize the use of the InfluxDB Clustered software.
url: https://docs.influxdata.com/influxdb3/clustered/install/set-up-cluster/licensing/
estimated_tokens: 1353
publisher: InfluxData
canonical: https://docs.influxdata.com/influxdb3/clustered/install/set-up-cluster/licensing/
date: '2026-05-15T15:46:14-06:00'
lastmod: '2026-05-15T15:46:14-06:00'
---

* Install InfluxDB Clustered
* Phase 1: Set up your cluster

Install your InfluxDB Clustered license in your cluster to authorize the use
of the InfluxDB Clustered software.

## Install your InfluxDB Clustered license

1. If you haven’t already,[request an InfluxDB Clustered license](https://influxdata.com/contact-sales).

2. InfluxData provides you with a `license.yml` file that encapsulates your
   license token as a custom Kubernetes resource.

3. Use `kubectl` to apply and create the `License` resource in your InfluxDB
   namespace:

   ```
   kubectl apply --filename license.yml --namespace influxdb
   ```

InfluxDB Clustered detects the `License` resource and extracts the credentials
into a secret required by InfluxDB Clustered Kubernetes pods.
Pods validate the license secret both at startup and periodically (roughly once
per hour) while running.

## Upgrade from a non-licensed release

If you are currently using a non-licensed preview release of InfluxDB Clustered
and want to upgrade to a licensed release, do the following:

1. [Install an InfluxDB Clustered license](#install-your-influxdb-clustered-license)

2. If you [use the `AppInstance` resource configuration](/influxdb3/clustered/install/set-up-cluster/configure-cluster/directly/)to configure your cluster, in your `myinfluxdb.yml`, update the package
   version defined in `spec.package.image` to use a licensed release.

   If using the InfluxDB Clustered Helm chart, update the `image.tag` property
   in your `values.yaml`to use a licensed release.

   > [!Warning]
> #### Upgrade to checkpoint releases first ####
> When upgrading InfluxDB Clustered, always upgrade to each[checkpoint release](/influxdb3/clustered/admin/upgrade/#checkpoint-releases)first, before proceeding to newer versions.
> Upgrading past a checkpoint release without first upgrading to it may result in
> corrupt or lost data.

   When upgrading InfluxDB Clustered, always upgrade to each[checkpoint release](/influxdb3/clustered/admin/upgrade/#checkpoint-releases)first, before proceeding to newer versions.
   Upgrading past a checkpoint release without first upgrading to it may result in
   corrupt or lost data.

#### AppInstance ####

```yml
apiVersion: kubecfg.dev/v1alpha1
kind: AppInstance
# ...
spec:
  package:
    # ...
    image: us-docker.pkg.dev/influxdb2-artifacts/clustered/influxdb:PACKAGE_VERSION
```

```yml
# values.yaml

image:
  tag: PACKAGE_VERSION
```

Replace `PACKAGE_VERSION` with
the version number to upgrade to.

## Verify your license

After you have activated your license, use the following signals to verify the
license is active and functioning.

In your commands, replace the following:

* `NAMESPACE`:
  your [InfluxDB namespace](/influxdb3/clustered/install/set-up-cluster/configure-cluster/#create-a-namespace-for-influxdb)
* `POD_NAME`:
  your [InfluxDB Kubernetes pod](/influxdb3/clustered/install/set-up-cluster/deploy/#inspect-cluster-pods)

### Verify database components

After you [install your license](#install-your-influxdb-clustered-license),
run the following command to check that database pods start up and are in the`Running` state:

```bash
kubectl get pods -l app=iox --namespace influxdb
```

If a `Pod` fails to start, run the following command to view pod information:

```sh
kubectl describe pod POD_NAME --namespace influxdb
```

### Verify the `Secret` exists

Run the following command to verify that the licensing activation created a`iox-license` secret:

```sh
kubectl get secret iox-license --namespace influxdb
```

If the secret doesn’t exist,[view `license-controller` logs](#view-license-controller-logs) for more
information or errors. For troubleshooting guidance, see[Manage your InfluxDB Clustered license](/influxdb3/clustered/admin/licensing/).

### View `license controller` logs

The `license controller` component creates a `Secret` named `iox-license` from
your `License`. To view `license controller` logs for troubleshooting, run the
following command:

```sh
kubectl logs deployment/license-controller --namespace influxdb
```

## Renew your license

> [!Tip]
> Before your license expires, your InfluxData sales representative will
> contact you about license renewal.
> You may also contact your sales representative at any time.

If you have an expired license, follow the same process to [install your renewed license](#install-your-influxdb-clustered-license) using the new `license.yml` file provided by InfluxData.

#### Recover from an expired license

If your license has already expired and your cluster pods are in a `CrashLoopBackoff` state, applying a valid renewed license will restore normal operation. For more information about license enforcement and recovery, see [Manage your InfluxDB Clustered license](/influxdb3/clustered/admin/licensing/).

For more information about InfluxDB Clustered licensing, including license enforcement, grace periods, and detailed troubleshooting, see[Manage your InfluxDB Clustered license](/influxdb3/clustered/admin/licensing/).

[Configure your cluster](/influxdb3/clustered/install/set-up-cluster/configure-cluster/)[Deploy your cluster](/influxdb3/clustered/install/set-up-cluster/deploy/)

#### Related

* [Manage your InfluxDB Clustered license](/influxdb3/clustered/admin/licensing/)
* [Upgrade InfluxDB Clustered](/influxdb3/clustered/admin/upgrade/)

[licensing](/influxdb3/clustered/tags/licensing/)