Update Microsoft 365 or Office on your macOS or iOS device - Microsoft Support

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Applies ToOffice 2021 for Mac Office 2019 for Mac Excel for iPad Word for iPad PowerPoint for iPad OneNote for iOS Excel for iPhone Word for iPhone PowerPoint for iPhone Microsoft 365 for Mac Outlook for iOS

Summary

Starting July 13, 2026 , some users may notice that Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, or OneNote) can open and print files, but cannot edit, save, or create new files – called “reduced functionality mode”. This happens when support for Microsoft Office apps is no longer continued for older operating systems or devices.

This issue affects both Microsoft 365 subscribers on macOS, iPhone, and iPad, and those with non-subscription software, including Office 2021 or Office 2019 on macOS. For most users, updating your OS, and updating your apps will resolve it.

What you need to know

Effective date : July 13, 2026

What you’ll experience : You can open/view/print, but you can’t edit or save

How to resolve : Update your OS first, then update your Office apps to supported versions

Tips:  To check which Office apps version you’re currently using on your Mac, open any Microsoft 365 or Office app, for example:

Open the Word app, select Word in the menu bar, and then select About Word .

If it lists "Microsoft 365," you have a Microsoft 365 subscription. If it lists "Office 2021" or "Office 2019," you have a non-subscription version of Office.

If you are on an iPhone or iPad, you are using Microsoft 365 apps for mobile.

If you have Office 2019 for Mac, go to the section If you have Office 2019 for Mac for more information.

If you use Microsoft 365 through your work or school, go to Update Microsoft 365 on your work or school macOS or iOS device instead.

Step by step instructions to resolve

Update your OS

Prior to updating your Office apps, you need to ensure that you are running macOS 12 (Monterey) or later on your Mac, or iOS 17 or later on your iPad/iPhone.

macOS:

To update your Mac:

Go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update .

For more information, please go to Update macOS on Mac or contact Apple support.

iOS:

To update your iPad or iPhone:

Go to Settings > General > Software Update .

For more information, please go to Update your iPhone or iPad or contact Apple support.

Note:  If your Mac doesn't support macOS 12, or your iPad or iPhone doesn’t support iOS 17, go to What if my device can't be updated?

Update your Office or Microsoft 365 apps

Choose the steps below based on the OS version (macOS or iOS) you are using.

Microsoft 365 or Office 2021 on macOS:

Open any Office app (such as Word, or Excel).

In the menu bar, select Help > Check for Updates .

If Microsoft AutoUpdate opens, select Update or Update All .

After the update finishes, restart the app.

Microsoft 365 on iOS:

Open the App Store.

Tap your profile picture in the top of the app.

Scroll down and tap Update next to any Microsoft 365 app or tap Update All .

After updating, open the app and sign in if prompted.

What if my device can't be updated?

If your Mac doesn't support macOS 12 (Monterey), or your iPhone or iPad doesn't support iOS 17, you won't be able to install the required updates. Check your email account associated with your Office or Microsoft 365 plan; you will be receiving an email from Microsoft with more information. In the meantime, here's what you can do:

Use Microsoft 365 on the web . Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more are available at microsoft.com from any browser.

Use Office on a different device :<br>Choose the option below based on Office product you own:

Microsoft 365 : Your Microsoft 365 subscription lets you install Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote) on multiple devices. Go to your Microsoft account page, sign in with your Microsoft account, and select Install to install Microsoft 365 on a Mac, PC, or supported mobile device.

Office 2021 : Go to your Microsoft account page, sign in with your Microsoft account, scroll down to the Products you’ve purchased section and select Install to install on a supported Mac, or PC.

Upgrade your device. A newer Mac, iPhone, iPad, or PC will support the latest operating system and Office version. For more info about which devices are supported, go to System Requirements.

Note:  Office 2021 reaches end of support on October 13, 2026. After that date, it will no longer receive security updates or technical support. For more info, go to End of support for Office 2021.

If you have Office 2019 for Mac

Office 2019 for Mac reached end of support on October 10, 2023, and no longer receives updates. Because Office 2019 cannot be updated to the required version, this issue cannot...