How to find and change self-hosted instance ID

Baserow instance IDs uniquely identify your self-hosted installation for licensing. This enables centralized subscription management while keeping your data on your servers.

Instance IDs can be changed for active subscriptions to support server migrations.

Quick overview

Your instance ID acts as a unique identifier that links your self-hosted Baserow installation to paid subscriptions purchased through baserow.io. When you buy a Premium plan, Baserow associates your license with this specific instance ID, ensuring paid features activate only on your authorized server.

This separates data hosting (your servers) from subscription management (Baserow’s systems), giving you deployment control while maintaining proper licensing.

How to find your instance ID

You need to have an active self-hosted Baserow deployment and Admin access to the Baserow instance.

  1. Access admin panel: Log into your self-hosted Baserow as an Instance Admin.
  2. Navigate to licenses: Click on your workspace in the top left corner -> Admin tools -> Manage licenses.
  3. Copy instance ID: Find and copy your unique instance ID from the licenses page.

Instance ID location

How to change instance ID

You can modify the instance ID for active subscriptions through the subscription management interface at baserow.io. This process maintains license compliance and billing continuity while supporting deployment flexibility.

The change process ensures your paid features transfer seamlessly to the new instance without service interruption or additional license costs.

Learn more about how to update an existing subscription.

When to change your instance ID

Instance ID changes support several deployment scenarios:

  • Server migrations: Moving from development to production environments
  • Infrastructure upgrades: Transitioning to new server hardware or cloud providers
  • Deployment consolidation: Combining multiple instances under a single license
  • Disaster recovery: Restoring service on replacement infrastructure
Deployment scenario Instance ID action License impact
Server migration Change to new instance License transfers
Development/production split Use separate IDs Requires separate licenses
Backup/disaster recovery Change to recovery instance License transfers
Load balancing setup Single ID across nodes One license covers cluster

Frequently asked questions

Can regular users access instance IDs?

No, only Instance Admins can view instance IDs through the admin panel. Regular users don’t have access to licensing information or administrative functions.

How often can I change my instance ID?

Baserow allows instance ID changes for legitimate deployment needs like migrations or infrastructure updates. The system prevents abuse while supporting normal operational requirements.

What happens if I lose my instance ID?

Instance Admins can always retrieve the current instance ID from the admin panel. You can find your instance ID in your self-hosted instance by clicking on your workspace in the top left corner -> Admin tools -> Manage licenses. If you lose admin access, contact Baserow support to verify your account and assist with instance identification. Learn more about installing a self-hosted license.

Do I need a new subscription for a new server?

Not necessarily. If you’re migrating or replacing an existing deployment, you can change the instance ID to transfer your existing license. New additional deployments require separate subscriptions.

Troubleshooting instance ID issues

Cannot access the admin panel

Verify you have Instance Admin privileges. Contact your system administrator if you should have admin access but cannot see the Admin option in your interface.

Instance ID not displaying

Ensure your Baserow installation is properly configured and running the latest version.

License not activating after ID change

Allow up to 15 minutes for license changes to propagate. If paid features remain unavailable, verify that the instance ID was updated correctly in your subscription settings.

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