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@dannote
Last active May 29, 2026 09:09
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Final Cut Pro X trial reset
#!/usr/bin/swift
// DISCLAIMER
// This script modifies an unencrypted file associated with the trial version of Final Cut Pro.
// Under the DMCA (17 U.S.C. § 1201), this modification does not qualify as circumvention of a technological
// protection measure (TPM), as it does not involve bypassing encryption, authentication, or similar protections.
// Distributing this code is therefore legal under the DMCA.
// This script is intended for educational and research purposes, such as exploring trial-related file structures,
// or for system troubleshooting in controlled environments with explicit permissions. It is not intended to be used
// in a manner that violates Apple's software license agreement.
// WARNING
// Using this script to reset or extend the trial period of Final Cut Pro without Apple's authorization likely violates
// the software license agreement. Such actions may lead to legal consequences. The responsibility for compliance with
// all applicable laws and agreements lies solely with the user. The author of this script assumes no liability for misuse
// or any resulting consequences.
import Foundation
let path = URL(fileURLWithPath: NSString(string: "~/Library/Containers/com.apple.FinalCutTrial/Data/Library/Application Support/.ffuserdata").expandingTildeInPath)
let data = try! NSData(contentsOf: path) as Data
let dictionary = try! NSKeyedUnarchiver.unarchiveTopLevelObjectWithData(data) as! NSDictionary
let mutableDictionary = dictionary.mutableCopy() as! NSMutableDictionary
for (key, value) in mutableDictionary {
if value is NSDate {
mutableDictionary[key] = Date()
}
}
try! NSKeyedArchiver.archivedData(withRootObject: mutableDictionary, requiringSecureCoding: false).write(to: path)
print("You'd better buy it")
@vohracodes

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kindly help me anyone for the steps to apply this

@adamaaaa-stack

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hey if anyone is looking for lpx 10.5.1 its here
i was just digging around on web archive and found this
hope it helps
(https://web.archive.org/web/20200813214541/https://www.apple.com/logic-pro/trial/)

@urm1n

urm1n commented Oct 29, 2023

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can it work on new macos 14 sonoma

@tueng1

tueng1 commented Oct 30, 2023

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can it work on new macos 14 sonoma

Yes

@karanmgandhi

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@tueng1 I am trying to run your command in Sonoma but it doesn't work. Here's the error I get. Can you please help?

Screenshot 2024-02-20 at 5 29 33 PM
Screenshot 2024-02-20 at 5 30 28 PM

@TehBrian

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@tueng1 I am trying to run your command in Sonoma but it doesn't work. Here's the error I get. Can you please help?

@karanmgandhi, run it in the Terminal app.

Shortcuts is running it as administrator and therefore ~ refers to root's home (as opposed to your user's home) which is not where .ffuserdata is stored.

@karanmgandhi

karanmgandhi commented Feb 21, 2024

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Understood, tried it and it worked! Thanks a lot @TehBrian !

@andresreibel

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Install FCPX trial
Open terminal and run: crontab -e
Add line: 0 0 */90 * * rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/.ffuserdata
Save in nano: CTRL + O, Enter, CTRL + X
Save in vim: ESC, :wq, Enter
Verify cronjob: crontab -l

@geetch

geetch commented Sep 28, 2024

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Can anyone confirm if it is working on macos sequoia?

@andresreibel

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It’s working for me on the latest fcp. Just run the rm command in the terminal and check the trial period length.

@geetch

geetch commented Sep 28, 2024

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It’s working for me on the latest fcp. Just run the rm command in the terminal and check the trial period length.

Did you execute it in macOS Sequoia?

@andresreibel

andresreibel commented Sep 28, 2024 via email

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@utkcodes

utkcodes commented Oct 1, 2024

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Please confirm if it still works on macOS Sequoia?

@andresreibel

andresreibel commented Oct 1, 2024 via email

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@l0u1sg

l0u1sg commented Nov 15, 2024

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The latest version of Final Cut Pro seems not to work with this script:

main/final-cut-pro-trial-reset.swift:6: Fatal error: 'try!' expression unexpectedly raised an error: Error Domain=NSCocoaErrorDomain Code=260 "The file “.ffuserdata” couldn’t be opened because there is no such file." UserInfo={NSFilePath=/Users/[RESTRICTED]/Library/Application Support/.ffuserdata, NSURL=file:///Users/[RESTRICTED]/Library/Application%20Support/.ffuserdata, NSUnderlyingError=0x12e610c40 {Error Domain=NSPOSIXErrorDomain Code=2 "No such file or directory"}}

Does someone have a solution?

@TehBrian

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The latest version of Final Cut Pro seems not to work with this script:

main/final-cut-pro-trial-reset.swift:6: Fatal error: 'try!' expression unexpectedly raised an error: Error Domain=NSCocoaErrorDomain Code=260 "The file “.ffuserdata” couldn’t be opened because there is no such file." UserInfo={NSFilePath=/Users/[RESTRICTED]/Library/Application Support/.ffuserdata, NSURL=file:///Users/[RESTRICTED]/Library/Application%20Support/.ffuserdata, NSUnderlyingError=0x12e610c40 {Error Domain=NSPOSIXErrorDomain Code=2 "No such file or directory"}}

Does someone have a solution?

Try this: https://gist.github.com/TehBrian/bf82c7505b647d423da6d5abbe2b95a3

@l0u1sg

l0u1sg commented Nov 17, 2024 via email

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@TehBrian

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@l0u1sg, I've updated https://gist.github.com/TehBrian/bf82c7505b647d423da6d5abbe2b95a3 with the correct path for newer versions of Final Cut Pro.

Additionally, I've made a similar Gist for Logic Pro, https://gist.github.com/TehBrian/1c236b6d9c58e736c0480a876759164d, which I'll keep updated as well.

@l0u1sg

l0u1sg commented Nov 18, 2024 via email

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@dannote

dannote commented Nov 21, 2024

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@TehBrian thank you, updated the code accordingly.

@dannote

dannote commented Dec 6, 2024

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@andresreibel As I clearly stated in the disclaimer up there, this is not a place to distribute cracks, hacks or anything else that violates DMCA. Any attempts to advertise stuff like that will be suppressed immediately.

@andresreibel

andresreibel commented Dec 6, 2024 via email

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@FreeGuyAi

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Use this command:

defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles true && killall Finder && rm /Users/$(whoami)/Library/Application\ Support/.ffuserdata 2>/dev/null && echo '.ffuserdata deleted' || echo '.ffuserdata not found'

If it doesn't work, change the date to 3 months back using Mac settings, then try again.

@santgodd

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works on Sequoia 15.2?

@elvischepin-github

elvischepin-github commented Mar 4, 2025

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For me what worked (just replace 'tom' to your username):
mv -v /Users/tom/Library/Containers/com.apple.FinalCutTrial/Data/Library/Application\ Support/.ffuserdata ~/.Trash/
Hope that helps.

Sequoia 15.3.1

@svikramajit

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For me what worked (just replace 'tom' to your username): mv -v /Users/tom/Library/Containers/com.apple.FinalCutTrial/Data/Library/Application\ Support/.ffuserdata ~/.Trash/ Hope that helps.

Sequoia 15.3.1

This worked for me. I couldn't find the "com.apple.FinalCutTrial" folder. So I searched for it in search bar. Multiple folders showed up. Somehow I managed to locate the ".ffuserdata" file and delete it. Trial has been reset. Thank you!

@TehBrian

TehBrian commented Jun 5, 2025

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Just a heads-up @elvischepin-github and @svikramajit, my gist at https://gist.github.com/TehBrian/bf82c7505b647d423da6d5abbe2b95a3 should work as well, and you won't need to modify it with your username.

@elvischepin-github

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Just a heads-up @elvischepin-github and @svikramajit, my gist at https://gist.github.com/TehBrian/bf82c7505b647d423da6d5abbe2b95a3 should work as well, and you won't need to modify it with your username.

Thank you!

@Marco-Huber-Opus

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Install FCPX trial Open terminal and run: crontab -e Add line: 0 0 */90 * * rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/.ffuserdata Save in nano: CTRL + O, Enter, CTRL + X Save in vim: ESC, :wq, Enter Verify cronjob: crontab -l

Worked for me in july 25.

@wmhass

wmhass commented Aug 4, 2025

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Just tested running on macOS 26 (Tahoe) and the following command worked:

mv ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.FinalCutTrial/Data/Library/Application\ Support/.ffuserdata ~/.Trash

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