Historically, the License Key was a string of alphanumeric characters (often formatted as five groups of five characters) that identified a specific purchase. It acted as a proof-of-purchase. In legacy versions of SketchUp (prior to the subscription pivot), this key was entered to register the software. It did not activate the software on its own; it merely initiated the process.
If you have a valid .edu email address, you can access SketchUp Pro for free for educational purposes. This is 100% legal and includes a full license key.
The SketchUp 2020 licensing system represents a major turning point for the software, as it was the final version available under a Classic Perpetual License before Trimble transitioned exclusively to a subscription model in November 2020. Understanding the Licensing System
For SketchUp 2020, users typically fall into two categories: those with a "Classic" perpetual license and those with a subscription.
Classic License (Perpetual): This version requires a Serial Number and an Authorization Number to activate. Once activated, you own that specific version (2020) and can use it indefinitely without recurring fees.
Subscription (Trimble ID): If you purchased SketchUp after November 4, 2020, you likely have a subscription. These do not use license keys or authorization numbers; instead, you simply sign in with your Trimble ID. How to Find Your 2020 License Details
If you have a Classic License but lost your credentials, you can retrieve them through the following official methods:
Confirmation Email: Search your inbox for an email from sketchupmail@sketchup.com. It contains both the serial number and the authorization code.
License Manager: Use the SketchUp License Manager by entering your registered email address and the serial number found in the software under Help > License (Windows) or SketchUp > License (Mac).
Customer Support: If the automated manager fails, you may need to contact SketchUp support with your original purchase details. Activation Steps SketchUp Classic License
I’m unable to provide license keys, authorization numbers, cracks, or any other method to bypass licensing for SketchUp 2020 or any other software. Distributing or using such information violates software copyright laws and Trimble’s terms of service.
If you need access to SketchUp 2020, here are legitimate options:
For activation issues with a legitimate license, contact Trimble Support with your purchase details.
If you found a license key online claiming to work for SketchUp 2020, it’s likely invalid, illegal, or malware‑infected.
SketchUp Pro 2020 , your licensing method depends on whether you have a Classic License (purchased once) or a Subscription (paid annually). Finding Your License Details Classic License (Serial Number & Authorization Code): Check Your Email : Search for an email from sketchupmail@sketchup.com . It contains your Serial Number Authorization Code Use License Manager : If you cannot find the email, use the SketchUp License Manager
. You will need your serial number and the email address used for purchase. Inside the Software : In SketchUp Pro, go to Help > License (Windows) or SketchUp > License (Mac) to view existing serial numbers. Subscription License (Trimble ID): No Codes Needed
: Subscriptions do not use serial numbers or authorization codes.
: You simply sign in with your email and password (Trimble ID) when prompted by the software. SketchUp Community How to Authorize SketchUp 2020 Sketchup 2020 licensed
The transition of SketchUp 2020 marks a significant turning point in the software's history, as it was the final version to fully support the "Classic" perpetual licensing model before Trimble shifted entirely to subscription-based access. Understanding the role of the license key and authorization number is essential for users maintaining this legacy version. The Mechanism of Classic Licensing
For SketchUp 2020, a "Classic License" consists of two unique identifiers: a Serial Number and an Authorization Code.
Serial Number: Typically starts with "VA" for the 2020 version (compared to "UA" for 2019) and serves as the primary identifier for the software instance.
Authorization Code: A specific string of characters provided upon purchase or upgrade that validates the serial number and unlocks the software's full capabilities.
These details were historically sent via a verification email from sketchupmail@sketchup.com after a purchase was finalized. Activation and Implementation
Activating SketchUp 2020 with these credentials requires navigating to the Welcome to SketchUp window upon launch. Users select Add License and must manually input or paste both the serial number and authorization code. For enterprise or network environments, administrators can automate this by creating an activation_info.txt file containing the credentials and distributing it to the appropriate program data folders on each machine. Moving 2019 License(Serial # and Activation Code) to 2020
SketchUp 2020 marked a pivotal shift in how users access the software, representing the final era of the "Classic" perpetual license before Trimble transitioned fully to a subscription-based model. Whether you are a long-time user trying to re-activate your copy or a new user confused by the different login methods, understanding the distinction between a Serial Number and a Trimble ID is essential. The Two Ways to License SketchUp 2020
Depending on when and how you acquired SketchUp 2020, you will use one of two methods for authorization:
Classic Perpetual License: Requires a Serial Number and an Authorization Code.
Subscription License: Requires signing in with a Trimble ID (email and password); no codes are needed. How to Find Your Classic License Details
If you own a perpetual license for SketchUp 2020, your license key information was sent to the email address used during purchase.
Search Your Inbox: Look for emails from sketchupmail@sketchup.com.
Use the License Manager: If you cannot find the email, you can retrieve your details via the SketchUp License Manager by entering your registered email and the serial number.
Locate Within the App: If SketchUp is already active on one machine, you can find the serial number by going to Help > License (Windows) or SketchUp > License (Mac). Authorization Steps for SketchUp 2020
Once you have your credentials, follow these steps to authorize the software: For Classic Licenses: Open SketchUp 2020.
In the Welcome to SketchUp window, click the Add Classic License tab. Click Add License.
Carefully copy and paste your Serial Number and Authorization Number exactly as they appear in your confirmation email. Click Add License to finalize. For Subscription Licenses: Open SketchUp 2020. Click the Sign In button.
Enter the email and password associated with your Trimble ID.
Once authenticated, your "Pro" or "Studio" features will be unlocked automatically. Important Limitations & Troubleshooting
Serial number and authorization number, that I haven´t got. help!
If you are looking for your SketchUp 2020 License Key (Serial Number) and Authorization Number
, these are typically found in the confirmation email sent after purchase from sketchupmail@sketchup.com
SketchUp 2020 was the last version to support "Classic" (perpetual) licenses before the software moved to a subscription-only model in November 2020. How to Find Your License Details Search your Email:
Look for the original confirmation email from Trimble or SketchUp. Check the License Manager: SketchUp License Manager
to retrieve your codes. You will need the email address used for the purchase. Inside SketchUp: If the software is already active on another machine, go to Help > License (Windows) or SketchUp > License (Mac) to see the Serial Number. How to Authorize SketchUp 2020 Open SketchUp: On the "Welcome to SketchUp" window, click Add Classic License Select the Classic Tab: Ensure you are not in the Subscription sign-in area. Enter Details: Paste your Serial Number Authorization Code exactly as they appear in your email. Click Add License: The software should now be activated for offline use. Important Notes Single-User Limit: A Classic license allows installation on up to two computers , but they cannot be used simultaneously. Subscription vs. Classic: If you recently purchased a "Pro" or "Studio" plan, you do have a serial number. You must simply sign in with your Trimble ID End of Support:
How to Find and Authorize Your SketchUp 2020 License If you are looking for your SketchUp 2020 license key and authorization number , you can find them in the confirmation email sketchupmail@sketchup.com
after your initial purchase. These two codes are required for the "Classic License" type, which SketchUp officially stopped selling on November 4, 2020 , in favor of subscription-based models. Locating Your 2020 License Details Search Your Inbox
: Look for an email with the subject line "SketchUp Pro License" or search for the sender sketchupmail@sketchup.com Identify the Code
: SketchUp 2020 serial numbers specifically begin with the letter Use the License Manager
: If you cannot find the email, you can retrieve your details through the official SketchUp License Manager using your registered email address and serial number. How to Authorize SketchUp Pro 2020
Follow these steps to activate your software on Windows or Mac: Open SketchUp
: Launch the application. If the "Welcome to SketchUp" window doesn't appear, go to the menu (Windows) or menu (Mac) and select Add License : Click the Add Classic License button at the top of the window. Enter Credentials Ensure the tab is selected. Copy and paste your Serial Number Authorization Code exactly as they appear in your email. Add License to finalize the activation. Subscription vs. Classic License Classic License
: Requires a serial number and authorization code. These are version-specific and will only work for the 2020 release if they begin with "V". Subscription use license keys. You simply sign in with your Trimble ID (email and password) to activate the software. Troubleshooting Common Issues Managing a Network License | SketchUp Help