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How to Remove a Duplicate Mac from Microsoft 365 Devices
Question details
The user needs to remove a duplicate entry for an older Mac from their Microsoft 365 signed-in devices list without accidentally deactivating the active license.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Managing device licenses in a Microsoft 365 account when the same Mac computer is listed multiple times.
- Observed behavior
- An older Mac appears twice in the Microsoft 365 devices list. Clicking 'Sign out' does not display a serial number or activation code to help identify the correct active entry.
Before removing any device from your Microsoft 365 account, verify whether you still need active Office access on that specific Mac, as removing the active entry will deactivate the software.
Safely Manage the Duplicate Device Entries
Determine the best course of action based on your need for continued Office access, as the Microsoft portal does not identify which entry is active.
Duplicate device entries usually occur if a Mac was reset and Microsoft 365 was reactivated, or it could simply be a display glitch in the Microsoft service.
Because the portal does not provide hardware identifiers, you cannot distinguish the valid entry from the invalid one.
Decide if you still need Microsoft Office on the affected Mac. If the computer is no longer in use or Office is unnecessary, you can safely proceed to the Microsoft account devices page and select 'Sign out' for both duplicate entries.
Do not click 'Sign out' expecting to see an activation code or product key. The portal simply removes the device upon clicking, which could immediately deactivate your working software.
If continued access is essential and you need to free up the license limit, take a screenshot of the duplicate entries along with your subscription details and contact Microsoft Support for further investigation.
Reactivate Office if the Wrong Device was Removed
If you accidentally sign out the active Mac, you can easily restore access by signing back into the Office application.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience
Tired of confusing device limits, duplicate license entries, and subscription hurdles? WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, letting you work freely across your devices without managing complex sign-ins.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office version for Mac.
- 2. Install the software: Run the downloaded package and drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder.
- 3. Open your documents: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft 365 files to continue working.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Mac showing up twice in Microsoft 365 devices?
This commonly happens if the Mac was reset or its macOS was reinstalled, followed by a fresh activation of Microsoft 365. It can also be caused by a synchronization glitch in the Microsoft account display services.
Will clicking 'Sign out' show me the activation code to identify the Mac?
No. Selecting the sign-out option simply removes the device from the active list. It does not display a product key, activation code, or hardware serial number to help you distinguish between the two entries.
What happens if I remove the wrong duplicate entry?
If you remove the entry that is currently active, Microsoft Office will deactivate on that Mac. You will not lose your files, but you will need to open an Office app and sign in again with your Microsoft 365 credentials to reactivate it.
