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Does Microsoft 365 Stay on an Old Mac After Moving to a New Mac?
Question details
The user wants to know if their Microsoft 365 subscription will remain active and usable on their older Mac after they set up and activate the software on a new Mac.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Migrating to a new Mac using Apple's Migration Assistant and needing to set up Office applications on the new device.
- Observed behavior
- The user needs to ensure Office applications function correctly on the new Mac while maintaining access on the old Mac.
Verify that you have the login credentials for the Microsoft account associated with your active Microsoft 365 subscription before configuring your new Mac.
Install Microsoft 365 Manually on the New Mac
Because Apple's Migration Assistant transfers personal files but does not reliably transfer Office installations, you must download and install Microsoft 365 directly on the new Mac. Your old Mac will remain fully active.
Microsoft 365 subscriptions allow you to install the suite on multiple devices and stay signed in on up to 5 devices simultaneously. Activating it on a new Mac will simply count as an additional device, leaving your old Mac completely unaffected.
On your new Mac, check the Applications folder for any preinstalled Microsoft 365 Family trial versions and drag them to the Trash to prevent activation conflicts.
Open a web browser and navigate to Office.com or your Microsoft account's Services & Subscriptions page, then log in with your subscribed account.
Click the 'Install Office' button to download the Microsoft 365 installation package (.pkg file) to your new Mac.
Run the downloaded installer. Once finished, open any app like Microsoft Word, click 'Get Started', and sign in to activate the license on the new machine.
Deactivate Office on the Old Mac (Optional)
If you plan to sell or give away your old Mac, or if you have reached your 5-device limit, you should manually remove the license from the old machine.
Try WPS Office for a Seamless Mac Experience
If you are managing software across multiple Macs and want to avoid strict subscription device limits or complex licensing, consider WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, lightweight, and completely free alternative that works effortlessly on any Mac.
- 1. Download WPS for Mac: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the Mac version installer.
- 2. Install the App: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder.
- 3. Start Creating: Launch WPS Office from your Launchpad and immediately open your existing Microsoft documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Apple's Migration Assistant transfer Microsoft Office to my new Mac?
Migration Assistant typically transfers your personal files and documents, but it does not reliably transfer the Microsoft 365 application files and licensing data. You should download and install Office directly from your Microsoft account on the new Mac.
Will I be charged twice if I install Microsoft 365 on a second Mac?
No. A single Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription allows you to install the applications on multiple computers and stay signed in on up to 5 devices at the same time without any extra charges.
Do I need to uninstall Office from the old Mac before setting up the new one?
No, you do not need to uninstall it unless you have exceeded your 5-device simultaneous sign-in limit or you plan to sell, recycle, or give away the old Mac.
