The My Drive code didn't arrive or doesn't work

When you set up My Drive, Storage Studio emails an 8-digit code to confirm it's really you. The code goes to the email address your Storage Studio trial or licence is registered to — not one you type — and it works for 15 minutes, on that Mac only. It's there because "My Drive holds the keys to your storage, so we check it's you first." Most problems come down to the junk folder, an older code, or a limit that clears after an hour.

The code didn't arrive

Likely causes

• It went to your junk or spam folder.
• It went to a different inbox from the one you're watching. My Drive always uses the email your trial or licence is registered to; the sheet shows that address.
• The email is still on its way.

What to do

1. Wait a minute, then check your junk folder. After sending, the sheet says "Code sent. Check your inbox — and your junk folder if it isn't there in a minute."
2. Check the inbox for the address shown on the sheet.
3. Use Send a new code. Right after a send it counts down for a few seconds — "Send a new code (…s)" — so a double-click can't use up one of your codes.
4. If the address on the sheet is wrong or can't receive email, update it in the License pane of Settings first. The app tells you when that's the problem: "The email your Storage Studio trial is registered to can't receive a code. Update it in Storage Studio's licence screen, then try again."

The code doesn't work

Messages that mention "this network" are the same kind of hourly limit, counted for your internet connection.

%% caption: Getting the My Drive code to work
flowchart TD
  A[You click Email me a code] --> B{Did the email arrive within a minute?}
  B -->|No| C[Check junk and the address shown on the sheet]
  C --> D[Use Send a new code]
  B -->|Yes| E[Enter the newest code on the same Mac]
  D --> E
  E --> F{Accepted?}
  F -->|Yes| G[My Drive is set up]
  F -->|No, code didn't work| H{Older than 15 minutes or not the newest?}
  H -->|Yes| D
  F -->|Too many| I[Wait an hour, then try again]

Good to know

• Only the newest code works. Asking for a new code replaces the previous one.
• It works on one Mac. A code asked for on one Mac can't be used on another. Ask for it on the Mac you're setting up.
• Fifteen minutes. After that, send a new code.
• With a licence there's often no code at all. Create My Drive usually finishes in one click. You're asked for a code only when a My Drive already exists for your licence address, to prove it's yours before it's linked.
• Nothing changes until it works. If something fails along the way, nothing is set up or removed, and you can try again.

See also: Setting up My Drive · My Drive · Activating your licence · The License pane · Something's not working: start here