What is a perpetual fallback license, and how do I use one?

The perpetual fallback license is a part of JetBrains' subscription system. It allows you to use a software version indefinitely, even if your active subscription ends. However, to upgrade to a newer version, you’ll need to buy or renew your subscription.

PyCharm and IntelliJ IDEA also offer the option to switch to the free core feature set after an active subscription ends. For details, see Subscription-based licensing.  

How perpetual fallback licenses work

Which products include a perpetual fallback license?

Perpetual fallback licenses are included in JetBrains IDEs and .NET tools subscriptions as well as the All Products Pack and dotUltimate subscriptions. Some paid plugins also provide perpetual fallback licenses. To see if your plugin includes it, check the pricing information on JetBrains Marketplace.

Who’s eligible for a perpetual fallback license?

If you purchase a yearly subscription or keep renewing a monthly subscription for 12 consecutive months, you get a perpetual fallback license when the 12 months are complete. The license allows you to continue using the latest major version of your tool that was available when your subscription started or older versions.

If you don't maintain the subscription for 12 consecutive months, you will not receive a perpetual fallback license. The same is true if you cancel or downgrade your subscription within a year. For example, if you downgrade an All Products Pack to a single-product license, you will not receive a perpetual fallback license.

Which product versions are covered by a perpetual fallback license?

If you subscribe to a JetBrains tool for 12 consecutive months, you get a perpetual fallback license for the last major version that was available when your subscription started. The license also covers every minor release of the latest version and all older versions.

For example, let’s say you purchase a yearly subscription when the latest available major version is v.2024.2. Once the yearly subscription ends, you’ll get the perpetual fallback license, which covers releases from v.2024.2 to 2024.2.7 and all earlier releases.

Your subscription lasts less than 12 months

In this example, you’re not eligible for a perpetual fallback license because you have not been subscribed for 12 consecutive months.

You end your subscription after 12 months

In this example, you get a perpetual fallback license because you have been subscribed for 12 consecutive months. The license covers v.10.1, which was available at the beginning of your subscription, plus its minor versions, v.10.1.1 and v.10.1.2 and all earlier releases.

Your monthly subscription lasts longer than 12 months

In this example, you get your first perpetual fallback license after 12 consecutive months. It covers v.10.1, which was available at the beginning of your subscription, plus its minor versions, v.10.1.1 and v.10.1.2 and all earlier releases.
As long as you keep your subscription, your perpetual fallback version is updated every month. When you end your subscription, you’re also eligible for v.10.2, its minor versions, and all earlier releases, as you have 12 consecutive months of coverage for it.

You switch from a yearly to a monthly subscription

In this example, you get your first perpetual fallback license after 12 consecutive months. It covers v.10.1, which was available at the beginning of your subscription, plus its minor versions, v.10.1.1 and v.10.1.2, and all earlier releases. 
Because of the five consecutive monthly subscriptions, you are eligible for v.10.2, its minor versions, and all earlier releases since there are also 12 consecutive months of coverage for it.

Check your current fallback version

If you're a license holder

To check which fallback version is available with your current subscription, do the following:

1. Log in to your JetBrains Account.
2. On the main page, locate the needed subscription and check the version indicated in Fallback ver. section.
   

If you're an org or team admin

To check which fallback version is available with one of your organization's subscriptions, do the following:

1. Log in to your JetBrains Account.
2. In the menu on the left, click on the name of your organization or team.
   
3. Click View licenses under the total number of licenses displayed at the top of the page.
   
4. Locate the needed license and check the version indicated in the Fallback/Covered ver. column.
   

Activate and use your perpetual fallback license

If you are a fallback license holder:

1. Log in to your JetBrains Account and locate the license with the fallback version.
2. Click the fallback version number to open your product's designated download page. Then click the Download button for your preferred option.
   
3. If a newer product version exists on your device, uninstall it before installing the fallback version. Alternatively, you can use the Toolbox App to keep both versions side by side.
4. Install the fallback software version and activate it in one of the following ways:
   1. Activate with your JetBrains Account.
   2. Use an offline activation code.

If you’re an org or team admin, and you need to provide a fallback software version to your developers:

1. Log in to your organization’s JetBrains Account and locate the license with the fallback version.
   
2. Make sure that the fallback license is assigned to the user and click the fallback version number to open the designated download page of your product.
3. Copy the link to the page and send it to the user, so that they can download and install the software.