License & Subscription Issues

How to Replace Office 2019 with Microsoft 365 on Mac

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to transition from a perpetual Office 2019 license to a Microsoft 365 subscription on a Mac computer.

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: macOS Catalina
Scenario: Upgrading software licensing and ensuring seamless collaboration after switching from an older perpetual license to a modern subscription plan.
Observed behavior: Seeking the correct procedure to deactivate and remove Office 2019, select a suitable Microsoft 365 plan, and install the new version without application conflicts.

Before you start

Before installing Microsoft 365, ensure your macOS version is supported by the new software and have your new Microsoft account credentials ready.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove Office 2019 and Install Microsoft 365

To prevent software conflicts, you must completely uninstall the Office 2019 applications before activating and installing your new Microsoft 365 subscription.

Office 2019 and Microsoft 365 desktop apps do not generally work well together on the same macOS system. Installing both can lead to severe activation errors and default application conflicts.

Sign out of Office 2019

Open any Office 2019 application, such as Word. Click on 'Word' in the top menu bar, select 'Sign Out', and then fully quit the application.

Uninstall Office 2019 Apps

Open Finder and navigate to the Applications folder. Select all Microsoft Office applications and drag them to the Trash. Empty the Trash to remove them completely.

Remove Old License Files

Download and run the official Microsoft License Removal Tool for Mac to clear the old perpetual license data so it does not interfere with your new subscription.

Install Microsoft 365

Sign in to the Microsoft 365 web portal with your new subscription account, click 'Install Office', download the macOS installer, and follow the on-screen prompts.

Check macOS Compatibility: Ensure your specific version of macOS (e.g., macOS Catalina) is still receiving updates and is officially supported by the latest Microsoft 365 installer.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Mac – No Subscription Required

Avoid confusing license conflicts and expensive monthly subscriptions. WPS Office is a lightweight, free alternative to Microsoft Office that works flawlessly on Mac and requires no complicated activation procedures.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS installation package.
2. Install on Mac: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon directly into your Applications folder.
3. Open Existing Files: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your older Office 2019 documents without any formatting loss.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Completely free to download and use without mandatory monthly subscriptions.All-in-one lightweight suite that won't clutter your macOS Applications folder.Familiar user interface makes migrating from Office 2019 effortless.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep both Office 2019 and Microsoft 365 installed on my Mac?

No. It is highly recommended not to run both versions on the same computer, as they share similar system files and will cause activation and file association conflicts.

Will I lose my saved documents if I uninstall Office 2019?

No, uninstalling the Office 2019 applications only removes the software itself. Your Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations saved locally on your Mac will remain completely safe.

Why is my new Microsoft 365 installation still recognizing my old Office 2019 license?

This happens when the old license files are still cached on your Mac. You need to download and run the Microsoft License Removal Tool for Mac to clear the hidden license files before signing in with your new Microsoft 365 account.

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