[KB8869] Share a subscription feature no longer available in ESET HOME

Issue

• "Share a subscription" feature is no longer available in ESET HOME
• "Share a subscription" discontinuation FAQ

Solution

1. What was "Share a subscription" feature?
   Share a subscription feature in ESET HOME allowed subscription owners to share some of the subscription seats with another ESET HOME account. The user of this ESET HOME account could then activate and manage devices using their ESET HOME account without the need for any interaction from the subscription owner.

2. When was "Share a subscription" feature discontinued?
   With the 2025 major release(October 21, 2025), the "Share a subscription" feature was discontinued. The feature was removed from the ESET HOME user interface. We will gradually stop supporting automatic subscription shares during a transition period. Existing shares and invites will remain visible and removable in ESET HOME during this transition period.

3. Why was "Share a subscription" feature discontinued?
   
   • The "Share a subscription" feature was not utilized by a large number of customers
   • Devices activated by one subscription were managed in different ESET HOME accounts
   • Sharing subscriptions on the ESET HOME portal has been reworked
     
     

4. How to share protection after "Share a subscription" feature discontinuation?
   The Members section has been added with the latest ESET HOME release. You can create, manage, and send protection to members of your household or small business from ESET HOME. Read more about Members in Online Help.

5. What will happen with devices activated by a shared subscription?
   

   Devices activated with a shared subscription will remain protected and your ESET security products will stay activated.

   During the transition period, all ESET HOME accounts with a shared subscription will receive an email with information on how to continue. You have two options:

   Option 1: Keep using the shared subscription

   Your devices will be disconnected from your ESET HOME account. The devices will remain protected and your ESET security products will stay activated but you will no longer be able to manage them using your ESET HOME account.

   Option 2: Purchase your own subscription and reactivate devices

   If you want to continue managing your devices, activated via shared subscription, using your ESET HOME account, purchase a new subscription and reactivate all devices using your new subscription:

   1. Purchase a new subscription from the ESET e-store.

   2. Activate your devices using your new subscription:
      • Windows: Activate ESET Windows home and small office products
      • MacOS: Activate ESET Cyber Security
      • Android: Activate premium features in ESET Mobile Security
        
        

6. How to manually reassign a device to a member in ESET HOME?
   To assign a device to a member, see the Online Help guide.

7. Does a member in ESET HOME need to have their own ESET HOME account?
   No, members in ESET HOME are just virtually created for better organization of your household or home office. You configure only the member name and email address.

8. Does the discontinuation of "Share a subscription" feature affect activations via shared activation key?
   Devices activated using the activation key will stay activated if they are not connected to any ESET HOME account or are connected to the subscription owner's ESET HOME account. For devices connected to another ESET HOME account, see What will happen with devices activated by a shared subscription?.