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Time Limit

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A time limit sets how long customers can download content after their order. Once the time is up, the download button for that content is disabled.

Use it for content that should only be available for a while, such as a time-limited course, or to stop old download links being shared forever.

What it limits​

  • Downloads only. License keys aren't limited. Customers can always reveal their keys, unless the item is returned or you've revoked their access.
  • Each piece of content separately. Each piece of content on a product can have its own time limit.
  • From when the order is delivered. The clock starts when the app delivers the order, which is normally the moment it's paid. For an order you import later, it starts when you import it.

Setting a time limit​

Set a time limit in weeks, days and hours:

  • Store-wide: set it in your global settings, and turn it on. It applies to every piece of content that doesn't have its own setting.
  • On one piece of content: set it On with its own time limit, or Off to remove the time limit from that content. Content left as Not Set follows the store-wide time limit. See Setting Priority.
note

Time limits used to be set on each product. They're now set on each piece of content.

Example​

Your store-wide time limit is 7 days. A customer orders on 1 March:

  • Until 8 March, they can download their content as often as your download limit allows.
  • From 8 March, the download button is disabled, and your Expiration Message explains why.
  • On 20 March, they contact you. You reset the time limit on their order, and they have until 27 March.

The message customers see​

Your Expiration Message tells customers their download has expired, and what to do next, such as how to contact you. Show it as a Banner under the product, or as a Popover that opens when the customer clicks the disabled button.

On a product with several pieces of content, the content is marked Expired in the list of downloads, and the message opens when the customer clicks it.

The message is optional. Without one, the button is still disabled, but the customer isn't told why.

Giving a customer a fresh window​

Resetting a time limit restarts the clock from now, as if the order had just been placed. Reset every line item on an order from the order's settings, or one piece of content while editing the order.

tip

Restoring access after you've revoked it doesn't restart the clock. If the time limit ran out in the meantime, reset it too.