01
Check compatibility
- Confirm your OS is supported.
- Windows users should have a 5th gen Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen CPU with AVX2 support.
- Make sure you have enough free system drive space before starting.
Trial vs paid version
The trial is downloaded from Ableton’s trial page. Paid licenses are downloaded from your Ableton user account after purchase or registration.
Install
Use guided Ableton tutorials, topic-based lessons, and on-demand access to move from learning ideas to completing polished drum and bass tracks.
Official Guide • Live 12
Download &
Install Ableton Live 12
A polished one-page setup guide for downloading, installing, authorizing, and launching Ableton Live 12 on macOS or Windows. Built in the same cinematic glassmorphism style as your reference layout.
Live 12
Setup flow for trial, Intro, Standard, or Suite
Use your Ableton account to download the installer and authorize Live after installation.
Full installation flow
Follow these steps in order for the cleanest Ableton Live 12 setup experience.
02
Download Live 12
- Sign in to your Ableton account.
- Open your license or trial download section.
- Choose the correct installer for macOS or Windows.
03
Run the installer
- On Windows, unzip the downloaded archive if needed and run the installer.
- On Mac, open the DMG and drag Ableton Live into Applications if prompted.
- Finish the setup wizard.
04
Authorize Live
- Launch Live after installation.
- Sign in to authorize online, or use Ableton’s offline authorization file method.
- Complete registration first if your serial came from a reseller.
Platform-specific steps
Use the section that matches your computer. Both paths end with authorization and initial setup inside Live.
macOS install
Download the Mac installer from your Ableton account, open the DMG, and follow the prompts. Live 12 runs on both Apple silicon and Intel Macs supported by Ableton.
Windows install
Download the Windows installer, unzip it if the file arrives as a ZIP archive, and run the installer. Keep enough free system drive space for installation and optional content.
Authorization
When Live opens for the first time, authorize online by signing in. Offline authorization is also available by generating and loading an Ableton authorization file.
First launch setup
Open Preferences to choose your audio device, sample rate, buffer size, plug-in folders, and content locations before starting a project.
Quick notes that save time
These are the setup details people usually miss on the first install.
Trial vs paid version
The trial is downloaded from Ableton’s trial page. Paid licenses are downloaded from your Ableton user account after purchase or registration.
Two authorizations
A Live license can be authorized on up to two computers, provided it is only used on one computer at a time.
Offline install help
If the music computer is offline, use another device to sign in, enter the hardware code, download the .auz file, then open it on the Live computer.
Start your Ableton Live 12 setup
Open your Ableton account, download the correct installer for your platform, install Live, authorize it, and configure your audio settings before your first session.