How to Download Microsoft Office 2019 for macOS Big Sur
Question details
The user needs to download and install a version of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2019 that is compatible with an older MacBook running macOS Big Sur.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2019
- Device & OS
- macOS Big Sur
- Scenario
- Installing Office on an older Mac where the latest Microsoft updates require macOS Monterey or a newer operating system.
- Observed behavior
- Recent Microsoft Office installers block installation on macOS Big Sur, prompting the user to upgrade their OS to macOS Monterey or later.
Before installing an older version of Office, ensure you have your original Office 2019 product key or Microsoft account login details ready, and verify whether your license was purchased directly from Microsoft or through Apple.
Install the Compatible Version 16.77 Office Package
Use the official Microsoft installer for version 16.77, which is the last release fully compatible with macOS Big Sur and works with Office 2019 licenses.
Microsoft only supports the three most recent versions of macOS for its latest Office updates. To install Office on Big Sur, you must use a specific older build (version 16.77.23091003) that supports this operating system.
Click the official Microsoft download link for version 16.77 (Microsoft_365_and_Office_16.77.23091003_Installer.pkg) to save the package to your Mac.
Navigate to your Downloads folder and double-click the downloaded .pkg file to open the installation wizard.
Follow the on-screen prompts, agree to the software license agreement, and enter your Mac administrator password when prompted to install the software.
Open any installed application, such as Microsoft Word, and sign in with the Microsoft account associated with your Office Home and Student 2019 purchase to activate it.
Download via Microsoft Account Services & Subscriptions
Access your Microsoft account to find your purchased products and download an installer directly from your digital library.
Use WPS Office for Mac on Older macOS Versions
If you are struggling to install Microsoft Office on macOS Big Sur or don't want to deal with unsupported older installers, WPS Office offers a powerful, lightweight alternative. It runs smoothly on older Macs while providing excellent compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version.
- 2. Install on Mac: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Start editing: Launch WPS Office from Launchpad and instantly open your existing Microsoft Office files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I install the latest Office version on macOS Big Sur?
Microsoft's policy is to support only the three most recent major versions of macOS. Since the release of newer macOS updates like Sonoma and Ventura, Big Sur is no longer supported by the latest Microsoft 365 and Office installers.
Is it safe to download older Microsoft Office .pkg files?
Yes, it is perfectly safe as long as the installer package is downloaded directly from official Microsoft content delivery servers (URLs starting with officecdn.microsoft.com).
Will Office 2019 still receive security updates on macOS Big Sur?
No. Older versions of Office that are compatible with macOS Big Sur, such as version 16.77, no longer receive new feature updates or security patches from Microsoft.
Can I use Microsoft 365 online if I can't install the desktop app?
Yes, you can always access the web-based versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint via your browser at office.com, regardless of your macOS version.
