Linking your Cloud Account

Written By Daniel Nguyen

This FAQ explains what Cloud Account linking does, why BoltAI asks for it, and how it affects your existing license, local data, and hosted BoltAI features.

What is Cloud Account linking?

Cloud Account linking connects your BoltAI desktop license to your BoltAI Cloud Account.

This lets BoltAI recognize your license at the account level, instead of only on one Mac.

Why does BoltAI ask me to link a Cloud Account?

BoltAI is adding account-based features across platforms: Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android and web (beta).

Linking your Cloud Account helps BoltAI:

  • Recognize your existing license

  • Enable eligible cloud features

  • Support hosted BoltAI models

  • Support mobile beta access

  • Make license recovery easier

  • Prepare your account for future cross-device features

Does linking upload my chats?

No.

BoltAI on Mac remains local-first. Linking your Cloud Account does not automatically upload your chats, API keys, local files, or provider settings.

Your local data stays on your Mac unless you explicitly use a feature that sends data to a cloud service.

Do I need a new license?

No.

If you already have a valid BoltAI desktop license, linking your Cloud Account connects that license to your account. It does not replace your existing license.

Can I still use my own API keys?

Yes.

Cloud Account linking does not remove BYOK support. You can continue using your own OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, OpenRouter, or other provider API keys.

Why is linking needed for hosted BoltAI models?

Hosted BoltAI models run through BoltAI’s cloud infrastructure.

To provide this safely and fairly, BoltAI needs to know which account is making the request and whether that account has access.

This helps prevent abuse, keeps the service reliable, and lets us apply fair-use limits without asking you to manage extra API keys.

Is linking required?

Some local Mac features continue to work without linking a Cloud Account.

However, account-based features such as hosted BoltAI models, mobile access, license recovery, and future cloud-enabled features require a linked Cloud Account.

How do I link my Cloud Account?

Open BoltAI and go to:

Settings → License

or:

Settings → Cloud Account

Then sign in or create a Cloud Account and follow the linking prompt.

What if I bought BoltAI with a different email?

You can still link your license.

If your Cloud Account email is different from your original purchase email, BoltAI may ask you to confirm or recover your license.

If it cannot detect your license automatically, contact support with:

  • Your Cloud Account email

  • Your original purchase email

  • Your BoltAI app version

  • Any license or order information you still have

What if linking fails?

Try signing out and signing in again, then reopen BoltAI.

If the issue continues, contact support and include:

  • Your Cloud Account email

  • Your original purchase email, if different

  • Your BoltAI app version

  • A screenshot or copy of the error message