When managing your screens in ScreenCloud, it is important to understand the difference between deactivating and deleting a screen. Both actions remove a screen from active use, but they have different implications for your account, your licenses, and your billing.
Deactivating a screen
Deactivating a screen temporarily pauses it from displaying content. The screen remains listed in your account with its configuration and settings intact, making it simple to reactivate when needed. While deactivated, the screen does not consume a license, freeing it up for use by another active screen in your account.
A deactivated screen remains paired to its ScreenCloud player or device. This means the device is still linked to your account and can resume displaying content as soon as the screen is reactivated.
Use deactivation when you plan to use the screen again but do not need it running right now.
Deleting a screen
Deleting a screen permanently removes it from your account. This action cannot be undone, and the screen's configuration will not be recoverable. Deleting a screen frees up its license, making it available to be assigned to a different device.
Resetting the pairing from within the ScreenCloud player app settings will also delete the screen from your account. This has the same effect as deleting it manually and equally cannot be undone.
Use deletion when the screen is no longer needed and you want its license to become available for reuse.
If you are moving your screen to new hardware rather than removing it entirely, we recommend using the Replace Device feature instead. This transfers the existing license to the new device without needing to delete and recreate the screen.
Deactivate vs. Delete: at a glance
| Deactivate | Delete |
Screen removed from active display | ✅ | ✅ |
Screen recoverable | ✅ | ❌ |
Settings and configuration preserved | ✅ | ❌ |
License freed for another device | ✅ | ✅ |
License removed from subscription automatically | ❌ | ❌ |
Reduces subscription charges automatically | ❌ | ❌ |
What happens to the freed screen license?
When you deactivate or delete a screen, the license is released and becomes available for use elsewhere in your account. However, this does not automatically reduce what you are billed for. Freeing up a license and reducing your subscription charge are two separate things.
The license will remain part of your plan and you will continue to be billed for it until you manually adjust your license count in Account Settings > Billing > Manage Subscription.
If you want to reassign the freed license to a new screen, simply pair the new device after deactivating or deleting the old one and it will be picked up automatically.
For full guidance on managing your license count and avoiding unexpected charges, refer to How to Manage ScreenCloud Licenses and Avoid Unexpected Charges.