MakeMKV v1.18.4 (15.6.2026) (end of key today 2026-07-31) won't work

[Brollan]

Hi!
I was just about to make a backup and MakeMKV wants a new software update and a new temporary key.
MakeMKV v1.18.4 (15.6.2026) (end of key today 2026-07-31) won't work.
Seems like makemkv.com is down?
Does anyone have information about this?

Best regards,
Brollan

[Bandito]

Hi,

the BETA Key is out of Day.
They will be ReNew in the next Days.

Most they are Working for around 60 Days (2 Month).

I think you must keep an eye on here:
viewtopic.php?t=1053

[Brollan]

OK, I understand that, is MakeMKV down temporarily?

[Brollan]

I get this strange error message...

[syrinx20xx]

The MakeMKV web site appears to have been offline since July 18. It's currently impossible to obtain a newer BETA key or to purchase a permanent key, so it's currently impossible for anyone who hasn't already purchased a permanent key to use the software. If the site never comes back online, the software is basically lost to the world.

I understand the developer wants to prevent people from freeloading by using an old free BETA version forever, but there must be a better way to prevent freeloading (the mechanism doesn't have to be perfect/bulletproof, just good enough to prevent most people from freeloading) while guaranteeing the software can never disappear from the world when the developer and web site do.

For example, BETA versions of the app could additionally (after BETA key expiration) check multiple services (such as https://archive.org/ and https://downforeveryoneorjustme.com/) to see if the MakeMKV web site is actually (recently/currently) available. If at least one service was reachable and all of the reached services indicated the site is NOT recently/currently available, the app can pretty safely assume the site is truly down and can just continue to run despite they key having expired. This would prevent people from simply disabling their internet connection or blocking access to those services or the MakeMKV site in order to keep freeloading, but it would allow the expired BETA app to keep working if the web site has disappeared.

In order to freeload, someone would have to stand up a private web server that mimics the behavior of one of those down-detector services, buy a non-self-signed SSL cert for it (since the phone home requires HTTPS which requires a non-expired and non-self-signed SSL cert), and then hack their PC's hosts file or their local network's DNS resolver to redirect the real service's domain name to their private web server... which is way more hassle and cost than most freeloaders are willing to do. So it's a "good enough" approach to prevent freeloading, IMHO.

[Bandito]

New BETA KEY is Online !
Man Thanks for the NEW Beta Key.
Hope the Webside is comming Back online with all features.
Maybe then we can buy a new ALL TIME KEY and support the Programmer here.

[Brollan]

Great news!
I would definitely support a purchase if it were at all possible.
Yesterday was one of those days—
"You never miss the water till the well runs dry"...

[AstralWanderer]

I understand the developer wants to prevent people from freeloading by using an old free BETA version forever, but there must be a better way to prevent freeloading...For example, BETA versions of the app could additionally (after BETA key expiration) check multiple services...If at least one service was reachable and all of the reached services indicated the site is NOT recently/currently available, the app can pretty safely assume the site is truly down and can just continue to run despite they key having expired...

And what about those people who choose to run MakeMKV on a standalone (no Internet connection at all) system? (I do BTW, this post is being made on a separate PC). What happens if someone's Internet connection or ISP has a problem blocking them from Internet access? Your suggestion just creates another point of failure, like any other program that insists on some forum of online activation.

...If the site never comes back online, the software is basically lost to the world.

With the Internet Archive and various backups here and elsewhere, this situation is extremely unlikely. The bigger concern should be financial viability/Mike's enthusiasm due to payments not being possible, and that I suspect is down to pressure being applied by the MPAAfia and related bodies to credit card processors.

In order to freeload, someone would have to...

There are far easier ways to do this, but discussing them is clearly outside of forum rules - and unnecessary as long as the beta key keeps being updated.