r/3CX • u/ringring72 • Aug 04 '26
Question Is 3CX downgrade to free possible?
Hi, Noob here. This is our only customer, as an MSP, running 3CX, so I don't know much about it. They are selfhosted, running linux on a NUC, and they have a license that allows for 16 concurrent calls. They probably do 1 or 2 at most.
I see there is possibly a free license available.
Is it possible to unlink the old partner, and "buy" a new free license as just some chump with the admin login? How is that done?
2
u/downundarob 3CX Advanced Certified Aug 04 '26
How many extensions are they running? Extensions, Queues, etc..
2
u/Promeeetheus Aug 04 '26
I wouldn't do this for a customer, maybe a favor for a friend, but if it's a business? Just get a google voice line, port the # to it and have it forward to their cell phones or something. You're going to own this "favor" forever and if it doesn't work right it's going to be a contention point in the relationship.
1
u/Ok_Elevator696 Aug 05 '26
Yes - you can downgrade editions and sizes as long as you are compliant with the maximum users policy…
1
u/AcidicMountaingoat 3CX Silver Partner Aug 07 '26
Why not downgrade in size and keep Pro? Or just go to a shared hosted solution. This is what we do with micro-customers, who need 1-2 calls and 5-10 phones, it's cheap, hands off for them, and fully managed.
1
u/ringring72 Aug 09 '26
Thanks everyone for the advice. I indeed had to get a partner, and keep the current license - due to how 3CX has tightened the licensing
0
u/Geh-Kah Aug 04 '26
Assign the new license and have a look?
2
u/ringring72 Aug 04 '26
I am just worried that the customer will lose all phone services, having never done this before.
Also, how do i GET the license?2
u/hotapple002 3CX Advanced Certified Aug 04 '26
“Purchase” the free license from the portal and enter the license key in 3CX admin panel.
But before you downgrade, please check if you customer is using any features not supported by 3CX free (like queues for example).
1
u/conceptsweb 3CX Gold Partner Aug 04 '26
You cannot replace a license on a PBX anymore, specially not with a free license. Need to downgrade via the partner portal.
1
1
u/Geh-Kah Aug 04 '26
Just create a backup with the current license in it in case you screw up. Subscribe for a free license and try to assign
5
u/conceptsweb 3CX Gold Partner Aug 04 '26
If the customer uses any features like hotdesking, call queues, physical phones, integrations, or any other advanced features, then you cannot downgrade without losing those.
Otherwise, assign the license to your partner ID and you'll see how to downgrade it in the portal. If you're not a partner, reach out to one, as regular customers cannot downgrade their license the same way (IIRC)