> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://elephas.app/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create Your Elephas Account and Sign In

> Create your Elephas account and sign in through your browser, with no license key. See how sign-in returns you to the app and how to sign out on Mac or Windows.

<Warning>
  Draft. This article depends on an open product question and is not ready to publish.
</Warning>

Your Elephas account is how Elephas knows your plan. You sign in through your web browser, and there is no license key to copy or paste. If you do not have an account yet, you create one on the same sign-in page.

## Before you start

* Install Elephas on your [Mac](/docs/getting-started/install-elephas-on-mac) or [Windows PC](/docs/getting-started/install-elephas-on-windows).
* Make sure your computer is online and has a default web browser.
* If you were invited to a team, use the email address your invitation was sent to.

## Steps

You can sign in in two ways. Most people sign in the first time they ask a question.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="From your first question">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Ask a question">
        Add a few documents and send your first question. If you are not signed in yet, a card appears: **Start your free trial to get this answer**. Your question is kept.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Click Start Free Trial">
        Elephas shows **Opening your browser…** and opens the Elephas sign-in page in your default browser.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Sign in or create your account">
        Sign in, or create a new account if this is your first time.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Return to Elephas">
        When your browser shows **Sign-in complete. You may close this window.**, close the tab and switch back to Elephas. Your trial starts and your kept question is answered.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="From Settings">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Open Settings">
        On Mac, choose **Elephas › Settings…** or press **⌘,**. On Windows, choose **File › Settings…** or press **Ctrl+,**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Go to Plan & Billing">
        Choose **Plan & Billing**. Under **Elephas Account**, click **Sign In**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Sign in in your browser">
        Your browser opens the Elephas sign-in page. Sign in, or create an account.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Return to Elephas">
        When your browser shows **Sign-in complete. You may close this window.**, switch back to Elephas. **Plan & Billing** now shows **Signed in as** followed by your name or email.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## How it works

* **One account for everything.** The same Elephas account holds your free trial, your paid plan and your team membership. Checkout also happens in your browser and attaches to this account.
* **Sign-in happens in your browser, not in the app.** Elephas never sees your password. Your browser hands Elephas a sign-in session, and Elephas stores it in your Mac Keychain or Windows Credential Manager.
* **Your library does not depend on your account.** Your Brains and chats stay on your computer whether you are signed in or not. Signing in is what lets Elephas answer questions with your plan.
* **Each plan covers a set number of computers.** Your free trial and the Personal plan work on 1 computer, Professional on up to 3. See [device limits](/docs/plans-and-billing/device-limits).

## Sign out

1. Open **Settings › Plan & Billing**.
2. Under **Elephas Account**, click **Sign Out**.

Elephas confirms: **Signed out. Nothing on this device was deleted, and Team content is locked until you sign in again.** While you are signed out, Elephas cannot answer questions with any AI option, including Local AI. Sign in again to pick up where you left off.

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The browser did not open, or sign-in did not finish">
    If you see **Sign-in didn't finish. Try again when you're ready.** or **Sign-in did not complete.**, click **Try Again** or **Sign In** once more. Make sure you finish signing in in the browser window Elephas opened, and that nothing blocks the browser from returning to Elephas, such as a strict firewall or VPN. If it still fails, [contact support](/docs/troubleshooting/contact-support).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="This device is registered to another Elephas account">
    Each computer is linked to one Elephas account. Sign in with the account you used on this computer before. Nothing on your computer is changed by this message.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Your account has reached its device limit">
    Your plan already covers the maximum number of computers. You can move your plan to this computer from **Plan & Billing › Devices**. See [device limits](/docs/plans-and-billing/device-limits).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="I have a license key. Where do I enter it?">
    Elephas does not use license keys. Your plan is linked to your Elephas account. Licenses for classic Elephas do not activate this app. See [moving from classic Elephas](/docs/getting-started/moving-from-classic-elephas).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need an account to install Elephas?">
    No. You can install Elephas, add your documents and let them index without an account. You need to sign in, with an active trial or plan, to get answers.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use a different account for work and personal use?">
    Yes, but one computer is linked to one account at a time. Plan & Billing shows which account is signed in, so you can tell them apart.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related articles

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Free trial" href="/docs/plans-and-billing/free-trial" />

  <Card title="Restore your plan" href="/docs/plans-and-billing/restore-your-plan" />

  <Card title="Join a team" href="/docs/teams/join-a-team" />

  <Card title="Quick start" href="/docs/getting-started/quick-start" />
</CardGroup>


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