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Can You Install Microsoft 365 on Mac OS X El Capitan?
Question details
The user wants to know if they can install and run Microsoft 365 applications on a Mac operating on OS X El Capitan.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- Mac OS X El Capitan
- Scenario
- Attempting to install or update Microsoft 365 applications on an older Mac operating system.
- Observed behavior
- Current versions of Microsoft 365 cannot be installed or updated because OS X El Capitan is no longer supported by Microsoft.
Check your current macOS version by clicking the Apple menu and selecting 'About This Mac' to confirm if an upgrade is possible on your hardware.
Upgrade Your Mac to a Supported macOS Version
Microsoft 365 requires one of the three most recent major macOS versions. Upgrading your Mac's operating system is required to install the latest Office apps.
Microsoft only supports the three most recent versions of macOS for Microsoft 365. OS X El Capitan is severely outdated, meaning you will not be able to install current Office builds unless you upgrade the operating system.
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select 'System Preferences'.
Click on 'Software Update' to see if a newer version of macOS is available for your Mac model.
If an update is available, click 'Upgrade Now' and follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest supported macOS version.
Once the macOS upgrade is complete, log in to your Microsoft account and download the Microsoft 365 installer.
Try WPS Office for Your Document Needs
If your Mac cannot be upgraded to run the latest Microsoft 365 apps, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative for creating and editing your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website on your Mac and click the 'Free Download' button.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Start Creating: Launch WPS Office from your Applications folder and start editing your documents immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which macOS versions are supported by Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365 for Mac strictly supports only the three most recent major versions of macOS. As Apple releases new macOS versions, the oldest supported version is dropped from Microsoft's compatibility list.
Can I download an older version of Microsoft 365 for El Capitan?
You may be able to find and install older legacy versions of Office that supported El Capitan (like Office 2016), but these are no longer officially supported, do not receive security updates, and cannot connect to modern Microsoft 365 cloud services.
How do I check which macOS version I am currently using?
Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your Mac's screen and select 'About This Mac'. The resulting window will display your current macOS version name and version number.
