From July 2026: MS Office on older Macs can only read and print

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On July 13, 2026, a digital certificate will expire, which Microsoft uses to check the licenses of its Office programs. The consequence: Older Office versions for macOS and iOS will automatically switch to a restricted mode. Users will then only be able to open, view, and print documents. Editing, saving, or creating new documents will no longer be possible. This particularly affects users of older Mac versions of Office for which no suitable update exists.

In a notification to administrators, Microsoft initially describes the change only for Microsoft 365 apps on macOS and iOS. The company specifies Office for Mac 16.83 and Office for iOS 2.93 as minimum versions. Those who use older versions will end up in the so-called “Reduced Functionality Mode” after the deadline. Microsoft explains the details in its documentation on the certificate update for Microsoft 365 apps on macOS and iOS.

Office 2021 remains usable; Office 2019 becomes a read-only program

The announcement becomes particularly critical for buyers of one-time licenses. On a separate support page, Microsoft explicitly names Office 2019 and Office 2021 for Mac as affected products. The company explains what users specifically need to do in its instructions for updating Microsoft 365 or Office on macOS and iOS.

Microsoft makes a crucial distinction between the two purchase versions. Office 2021 for Mac is still supported and continues to receive updates. Those who keep their Office 2021 up to date will automatically receive the new certificate and can use the package without restrictions even after July 13, 2026. However, Office 2021 for Mac will reach the end of its support on October 13, 2026.

Office 2019 for Mac, on the other hand, was already discontinued by Microsoft in October 2023. There will be no version with the new certificate for this generation, and according to Microsoft, there will not be one. The software will still start, but after the deadline, it will only be useful for reading and printing. Changes can no longer be saved, and new documents cannot be created.

Not a security problem, but a dispute

Microsoft emphasizes that this is not a security issue. The certificate is solely for license verification; customer data is never at risk. For supported versions, an update is sufficient to restore full functionality.

However, the procedure for Office 2019 is likely to cause discussions. Microsoft sold the software as a perpetual license. It continues to run technically on the affected Macs. The loss of functionality is not due to an incompatible new operating system version, but solely because Microsoft is letting the license certificate expire. A fully functional Office package effectively becomes a read-only program.

Older Macs are hit twice; alternatives exist

Adding to the problem, Microsoft generally only supports its Office programs on the three most recent major versions of macOS. If you use an older Mac that no longer receives newer macOS versions, you often cannot install the required Office versions at all. Microsoft advises users to update the operating system, purchase new hardware, or switch to Microsoft 365 in the browser. At least macOS 12 (Monterey) for Macs and iOS 17 for iPhones and iPads are required for the necessary Office updates.

However, LibreOffice is also a viable alternative for many affected users: the free Office suite runs on macOS 11 (Big Sur) and newer, supports common Microsoft Office formats, and does not require regular online license checks. The Document Foundation is also working on an iOS app starting immediately. According to the company, Windows and Android versions of Office are explicitly not impacted. Microsoft checks licenses there through different means.

(fo)