e license

need some clarification on this… I have Cubase AI 10.5 on a Mac and I have the e license software and app installed. It works ok.
I don’t have a physical USB dongle. If I upgrade to Artist 11 or just buy 11 outright do I have to buy the dongle?? even if I have the AI license working fine on my Mac? And do you have to have the USB dongle inserted into a USB slot for Cubase 11 to work at all???
What about if you don’t have any free USB ports??? Should you just never use Cubase as your DAW…?

Yes you will need the usb dongle and it won’t work without it.