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How to Fix Copilot Not Available on Mac in Microsoft 365 Family
Question details
A user has purchased a Microsoft Copilot subscription alongside their Microsoft 365 Family plan, but the Copilot button is missing in their Office applications on Mac.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Trying to access and use Copilot AI features inside Office apps like Word or Excel on a MacBook.
- Observed behavior
- The Copilot tool or button remains completely unavailable in the applications despite having an active Microsoft 365 Family subscription and a Copilot purchase.
Ensure your Mac is connected to the internet and that you know the exact Microsoft account credentials used to purchase both the Microsoft 365 Family and Copilot subscriptions.
Verify Your Copilot Subscription Type and Linked Account
Ensure you purchased the correct Copilot plan for your Microsoft 365 Family subscription and are signed in with the right account.
Microsoft offers both 'Copilot Pro' (designed for individual and family plans) and 'Copilot for Microsoft 365' (designed for enterprise). If you have a Microsoft 365 Family plan, you must have 'Copilot Pro' for it to work.
Additionally, the subscription must be tied to the exact same Microsoft account you are currently logged into on your Mac applications.
Go to the Microsoft Account website and sign in. Navigate to 'Services & subscriptions' to confirm that 'Copilot Pro' is listed and active.
Open any Microsoft 365 app on your Mac (like Word) and click on your profile icon in the top left, or go to the 'Word' menu in the top bar and click 'Sign Out'.
Sign back into the application using the exact Microsoft email address associated with your Copilot Pro subscription to refresh your credentials.
Update Mac Applications to Support Copilot
Force the Office applications on your Mac to recognize the newly purchased Copilot license by installing the latest updates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Copilot not showing up in my Office apps after purchase?
Copilot might not appear if you are signed in with a different Microsoft account, if your Mac app is outdated, or if you accidentally purchased 'Copilot for Microsoft 365' (Enterprise) instead of 'Copilot Pro', which is the required add-on for Microsoft 365 Family users.
Can I use Copilot on Mac with a standard Microsoft 365 Family plan?
The Microsoft 365 Family plan alone does not include Copilot capabilities. You must purchase a separate 'Copilot Pro' add-on subscription to unlock AI features in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on your Mac.
How do I update my Microsoft 365 apps on a Mac?
Open any Office application, navigate to the 'Help' menu at the very top of your screen, and click 'Check for Updates' to launch the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool.
