ZimaOS+ can be transferred, but the normal self-service transfer is available only after the license has been active for at least one year. At that point, use Order Management to unbind the old device and activate the license on the new one.
The source case is a special one: the license was first activated on a Proxmox VM for testing, then the user moved to a real bare-metal NAS. Current ZimaOS pricing explicitly says VM-to-real-NAS moves can receive manual reissuance/support, so this should not be treated like an ordinary second-device activation.
Current ZimaOS+ Transfer Rule
The current ZimaOS Plus pricing and transfer policy says each Plus license is bound to one device and cannot be active on multiple devices at the same time.
Self-Service Transfer After One Year
Once the license has been active for at least one year, open the Order Management page, unbind the old device, then reactivate the same license on the new hardware.
VM to Bare Metal Is a Special Case
The same official FAQ says that if ZimaOS+ was activated in a virtual machine and you later move to a real NAS device, IceWhale can provide manual reissuance or support. That directly matches the original forum scenario.
Do Not Buy a Second License First
If the old license is still bound to the VM, buying another license can create unnecessary cost and account confusion. Preserve the original order information and contact support for the transfer path.
Prepare the Information Support Will Need
- order email/account;
- purchase/order number;
- old VM device identity if still available;
- new bare-metal ZimaOS device identity;
- current ZimaOS version;
- proof that the old system is no longer the intended active device.
Official Zima Hardware Is Different
ZimaBoard, ZimaBoard 2, ZimaBlade, and the ZimaCube family include automatic lifetime Plus tied to that official device. Reinstalling ZimaOS on the same official hardware should reactivate automatically and does not use a separate purchased license.
Do Not Clone the License State
Cloning a VM disk or system drive is not a supported license-transfer method. Device-bound activation can remain associated with the original device identity even if the filesystem is copied.
The system migration checklist helps avoid mixing a hardware migration with an entitlement issue.
Unbind Only When the New System Is Ready
Before releasing a working license from the old device, finish the new ZimaOS installation, verify networking, and confirm you can reach the activation page. That reduces the chance of ending up with neither system ready for activation.
Keep the Old VM Powered Off After Transfer
Once support or Order Management moves the entitlement, do not continue running the old VM as a second Plus device. Keep a backup of its configuration if needed, but treat the license as belonging to the new active system.
FAQ
Can I transfer ZimaOS+ to a new PC?
Yes. After one year of activation, current policy allows self-service unbinding and reactivation.
What if the license is less than one year old?
Use support rather than trying to activate the same license on two devices.
What if I first activated Plus in Proxmox?
Current official policy specifically says VM-to-real-NAS cases can receive manual reissuance/support.
Can one Plus license run on two machines?
No. It is bound to one device at a time.
