Activation Problems

How to Fix Microsoft Office Not Staying Activated on a New Mac

WPS Content Manager Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to keep Microsoft Office activated on a newly purchased Mac after migrating their license from a wiped computer.

How to Fix Microsoft Office Not Staying Activated on a New Mac

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: Mac (MacBook Air)
Scenario: Transferring a paid, one-time-purchase Microsoft Office license from an old wiped computer to a new MacBook Air.
Observed behavior: Office repeatedly requests a sign-in or a password change, failing to maintain its activated status.

Before you start

Ensure you have the Microsoft account credentials associated with your original Office purchase and a stable internet connection before attempting reactivation.

Solution 1Recommended

Contact Microsoft Support for License Reactivation

Reach out to Microsoft Support to bypass the 90-day transfer restriction on one-time purchase licenses.

A one-time-purchase Office license typically allows a transfer to a new device only once every 90 days. If your old computer was wiped recently or the system still registers the license as active on the previous device, automatic activation will fail and cause a sign-in loop.

Gather Account Details

Have your Microsoft account email, password, and the original purchase receipt or product key readily available.

Navigate to Microsoft Support

Visit the official Microsoft Support website and go to the 'Contact Us' page specifically for Microsoft Office.

Request Manual Activation

Explain to the support agent that you have moved to a new MacBook Air and the old device has been wiped. Request a manual license transfer to the new hardware.

Verification Process: Support agents will need to privately verify your account details and purchase history to securely authorize the transfer and override the 90-day block.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Complex License Transfers

If you are tired of dealing with strict hardware transfer limits, 90-day waiting periods, and recurring activation loops, WPS Office offers a powerful and hassle-free alternative. It provides premium document editing capabilities on your Mac completely free of charge.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the WPS Office official website and download the free version designed for Mac.
2. Install WPS Office: Open the downloaded package and follow the straightforward on-screen instructions to install the suite.
3. Open Your Files Directly: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Microsoft Office documents effortlessly, without worrying about activation loops.

No strict 90-day hardware transfer limits or complicated activation troubleshooting.Seamlessly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Lightweight, fast installation optimized for all Mac models including the MacBook Air.All-in-one workspace for documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and PDFs.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft Office keep asking me to sign in on my new Mac?

This happens when Microsoft's activation servers detect an issue with your license transfer. For one-time purchases, the system might block the activation if the license was transferred within the last 90 days, resulting in a continuous sign-in prompt.

Can I transfer a one-time purchase Microsoft Office license to a new Mac?

Yes, but standard Microsoft policy dictates that it can only be transferred once every 90 days. Exceptions are made for hardware failures or replacements, provided you contact Microsoft Support for a manual override.

Do I need access to my old computer to deactivate Office?

While uninstalling Office from the previous computer is recommended to free up the license, it is not strictly required if the computer has already been wiped or is broken. However, you will likely need to contact support to complete the activation on the new device.

Installation & Activation