Fix Microsoft 365 Installation Problems on macOS Big Sur
Question details
The user needs to install Microsoft 365 on an older Mac running macOS Big Sur 11.7.10, but the current installer is incompatible with the operating system.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- macOS Big Sur 11.7.10
- Scenario
- Attempting to install or update Microsoft 365 on an older Mac (such as a 2013 MacBook Air) running macOS Big Sur.
- Observed behavior
- The latest Microsoft 365 installer fails to run or install because it requires a newer macOS version. Microsoft typically only supports the three most recent major versions of macOS.
Ensure you have your Microsoft account login credentials handy and verify your exact macOS version by clicking the Apple menu and selecting 'About This Mac'.
Clean Uninstall and Install Compatible Office Version (16.66)
Completely remove any incompatible or broken Office installations from your Mac, then download and install version 16.66, which is known to support macOS Big Sur.
Since Microsoft 365 only supports the three most recent versions of macOS, users on macOS Big Sur (macOS 11) must use a specific older installer. Version 16.66 is widely confirmed to be compatible with this operating system.
Open Finder, navigate to the 'Applications' folder, and move any existing Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) to the Trash.
In Finder, press Command+Shift+G, type '~/Library/Containers', and press Enter. Locate and delete any folders related to Microsoft (e.g., com.microsoft.Word). Restart your Mac afterward.
Visit the official Microsoft 'Update history for Office for Mac' page in your web browser. Scroll through the release history to locate version 16.66 (released around October 2022) and download the installer package.
Double-click the downloaded .pkg file and follow the on-screen prompts to install. Once completed, open Word or Excel and sign in at Office.com with the Microsoft account linked to your subscription to activate the software.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Performance on Older Macs
If your older MacBook struggles to install or run the latest Microsoft 365 updates, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. Enjoy all essential office tools without worrying about strict macOS version requirements.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the installation package designed for Mac.
- 2. Install on your Mac: Open the downloaded package and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open existing files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents with full formatting preserved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft 365 say my macOS is unsupported?
Microsoft officially supports only the three most recent major versions of macOS. Once Apple releases a new macOS version, Microsoft drops support for the oldest one, making systems like Big Sur unsupported by the latest Office installers.
Can I still get security updates for Office 16.66 on Big Sur?
No, older versions such as 16.66 no longer receive new security patches or feature updates from Microsoft. However, the applications will still run locally on your Mac for viewing and editing documents.
Where can I safely download older versions of Office for Mac?
You should only download older versions from the official Microsoft support website. Search for 'Update history for Office for Mac' to find Microsoft's official page containing direct download links to previous release packages.
