The steps below will guide you through the process of installing the UAD software, registering your UAD product, and authorizing your UAD plug-ins.
Important Note: This article refers to the UAD Software that requires an Apollo, Satellite or PCIe card to operate. For information on how to install UA Connect and the native UAD plug-ins, visit this page.
Initial Configuration
Configuration Steps for macOS Users
Before performing any other step on macOS, the UAD Software must be allowed to operate in your macOS privacy settings. To allow the UAD Software, read this article.
Important Note for Apple Silicon users: Perform the instructions for Apple computers equipped with Silicon processors first.
Configuration Steps for Windows Users
Before performing any other step on Windows, follow the steps in the article below to configure Windows for use with your UAD Product:
Important Notes: A Windows machine with Thunderbolt 3 or 4 is required to use UAD hardware with Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, such as Apollo or Satellite, with Windows 10 and 11.
Thunderbolt 2 devices are not compatible with Windows systems that have Thunderbolt 4, including with adapters. Rack-mount Apollos can be upgraded to support Thunderbolt 4 on Windows with a Thunderbolt 3 option card.
After the Windows configuration is complete, the system will be ready for use.
Apollo and Satellite Data Cable Guide
To learn which type of cable is required to operate your Apollo or Satellite device, read this article.
Installation, Registration and Authorization
1. Connect and power UAD Hardware
Before installing the UAD software, connect your UAD hardware to your computer, and power on the device if applicable.
Note: Apollo USB devices require a compatible USB port. Apollo Thunderbolt devices require a Thunderbolt 3 or 4 port. For more information on this topic, read this article.
2. Download UA Connect to access the UAD Software
Registration and authorization are managed by the UAD software. Visit this page to get the latest version of UA Connect, which in turn will provide you with the UAD software installer appropriate for your operating system.
Note: Universal Audio only supports macOS Catalina 10.15 (and newer versions) and Windows 10 (and newer versions). For more information on operating system compatibility, visit this page.
3. Install the UAD Software
In UA Connect, navigate to the Apollo & UAD-2 tab, then click the Download buttons to initiate the downloads of the UAD Software and UAD Console applications.
After the download is complete, the installer will guide you through the process. Be sure to restart the computer when prompted.
Note: If the Firmware Update prompt appears, click Load and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
4. Register your UAD Product
After restarting, your web browser will launch and connect to the UA website. You will be prompted to create an account or log in to an existing account if you are not already logged in. Follow the instructions on the web page to register your UAD hardware and claim the bundled UAD plug-ins.
For used devices, please refer to the Used Device Registration instructions page.
Note: If your web browser doesn't launch automatically, you can finish the process manually by clicking the Authorize Plug-Ins button on the Plug-Ins panel in the UAD Meter & Control Panel shown in step 5. UA Connect cannot be used to add Apollo, Satellite or PCIe hardware.
5. Authorize your UAD Product
After registration is complete, authorize your UAD hardware by clicking the Authorize Plug-Ins button on the Plug-Ins panel in the UAD Meter & Control Panel.
Once authorization is complete, the system is ready for use for macOS users. If you are a Windows user, please proceed to the next step.
Additional Content
Video Guides
The videos below show the process described above, depending on your operating system: