Overview
The specific license required is determined by device type (Enterprise- or Professional-series) and the features to be enabled. This guide details the licensing requirements for each feature and provides instructions for acquiring and activating the Identity Guardian licenses.
Available License Types:
- Trial License: 30-day evaluation period
- Term-based License: Licenses are available for 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year terms
Important Licensing System Update
Zebra has migrated to a new licensing system.
- Effective Date: The previous licensing server was permanently decommissioned on December 31, 2025.
- Action Required: All license management, including new activations and re-licensing of repaired devices, must now be performed through the new system.
This guide exclusively covers the procedures for the new licensing system.
Feature and License Requirements
The tables below outline the license requirements based on feature. Features not explicitly mentioned in these tables are also supported.
Enterprise-series Devices
| Key Differentiating Feature | No License | Device Tracker / Device Guardian License † |
Identity Guardian License |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Authentication (Passcode/Barcode) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Facial Biometrics | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ |
| Guardian Safe | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ |
| Keyguard | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ |
Professional-series Devices
| Key Differentiating Feature | No License | MDNA License | Device Tracker / Device Guardian License † |
Identity Guardian License |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Authentication (Passcode/Barcode) | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Single Sign-On (SSO) for Zebra Apps with a Device Tracker/Guardian License |
✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Single Sign-On (SSO) for 3rd Party Apps | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ |
| Facial Biometrics | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ |
| Guardian Safe | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ |
| Keyguard | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ |
Legend:
✔ = Feature Supported
✖ = Feature Not Supported
† Companion License Requirement for Device Tracker/Guardian: The required license depends on the Android OS version:
• For Android 13 and older: A Device Tracker license is required.
• For Android 14 and newer: A Device Guardian license is required, reflecting the rebranding of the product.
Device Tracker/Device Guardian Licensing
Licensing on Devices with Both Device Tracker and Device Guardian: To support the transition to Device Guardian and ensure operational continuity, Identity Guardian features an enhanced license fallback system for devices where both Device Guardian (DG) and Device Tracker (DT) are installed. This enhancement prevents service disruptions, particularly on devices running Android 13 and newer that may have a non-functional or "dummy" Device Guardian application pre-installed.
The license check follows a clear priority:
- Identity Guardian first searches for a valid Device Guardian (DG) license.
- If a DG license is not found or is invalid, it automatically searches for a valid Device Tracker (DT) license and uses it, if present.
- If the DG application is not installed, the system proceeds directly to check for a DT license.
While this process provides operational continuity, Zebra recommends transitioning to the Device Guardian application for complete functionality.
Evaluation License
Zebra offers time-limited trial licenses to allow companies to evaluate the performance of Zebra solutions in their environment.
- Customers, partners and distributors: Request through a Zebra account manager or sales engineer
- Zebra account managers and sales engineers: Submit requests using SFDC forms
- Zebra engineers and other Zebra employees and contractors: Submit a request in the Zebra ServiceNOW portal
I. Contact a Reseller
Zebra licenses are obtained through Zebra resellers or (in some cases) directly from Zebra.
To begin, select an option:
- Find a Zebra Partner - form for submitting an inquiry via the web
- How to Select a Channel Partner - explains the types of partners that engage with Zebra and some of their technologies and specialties
- Partner Interaction Center - info for contacting Zebra's existing global partner network
- Zebra Corporate Numbers and Links - broken down by global region
- Global Marketing Contact Center - broken down by global region and country
II. Access Licensing System
After the license purchase, a confirmation email is sent. This email includes the necessary information for accessing the licensing system and activating the software:
- Access Credentials: The user credentials and URL for the Zebra Softwaare Licensing portal.
- Activation Details: The specific Product Name and Badge ID, required to activate the device licenses.
Sample confirmation email
Visit the Zebra licensing support page. Register and log into the portal to:
- Order licenses
- Check status of existing orders
- Assign licenses to devices or deployments
- View inventory and assignments of current licenses
Perpetual Licenses: These licenses will continue to work after the decommission date of December 31, 2025. However, the license is lost if a device undergoes a factory reset or is sent in for repair. In these cases, the device must be re-licensed by following the activation process described in the next step.
III. Activate License
To activate a license, first install the License Manager application onto the target devices. For detailed instructions, refer to the License Manager User Guide. The guide provides multiple activation methods, including:
- Manual activation on the device
- Deployment using StageNow
- Deployment via an EMM system