Does Microsoft Office 2016 Work on M1 Macs with macOS Big Sur?
Question details
The user wants to know if Microsoft Office 2016 (version 16.16) is compatible and can function properly on an Apple Silicon M1 Mac running macOS Big Sur.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2016
- Device & OS
- Mac, macOS Big Sur
- Scenario
- Attempting to run an older, Intel-based version of Microsoft Office on newer Apple Silicon (M1) hardware.
- Observed behavior
- Office 2016 can run via the Rosetta 2 translation layer, but it lacks official support from Microsoft, leaving it vulnerable to future macOS updates breaking its functionality.
Ensure your Mac is connected to the internet, as you will need to download Apple's Rosetta 2 translation layer if you are launching an Intel-based application on an M1 Mac for the first time.
Run Office 2016 via Rosetta 2 Translation
Although not officially supported by Microsoft, you can still run Office 2016 on an M1 Mac using Apple's built-in translation software.
Microsoft officially ended mainstream support for Office 2016, meaning it was never updated to run natively on Apple Silicon (M1 chips). However, macOS Big Sur includes a feature called Rosetta 2, which automatically translates apps designed for Intel processors so they can work on M1 Macs.
Currently, there are no specific issues preventing Office 2016 from launching on Big Sur. However, be aware that future macOS updates could introduce changes that break compatibility, and Microsoft will not release patches to fix Office 2016.
Download and install your Office 2016 suite using your original installation file or through your Microsoft account portal.
Navigate to your Applications folder and double-click any Office 2016 application, such as Microsoft Word or Excel.
If Rosetta 2 is not yet installed on your Mac, a system prompt will appear asking you to install it. Click 'Install' and wait for the process to complete.
Once Rosetta 2 is installed, the Office 2016 application will open. The first launch may take a few extra seconds as the app translates, but subsequent launches will be faster.
Get Native M1 Mac Support with WPS Office
Stop worrying about macOS updates breaking your outdated Office software. WPS Office is fully optimized for Apple Silicon, delivering smooth, crash-free performance on M1 Macs without the expensive subscription fees.
- 1. Download WPS Office for Mac: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version, which automatically includes native Apple Silicon support.
- 2. Install the application: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon into your macOS Applications folder.
- 3. Open your files instantly: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files with zero formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Microsoft release an Apple Silicon update for Office 2016?
No. Microsoft officially ended mainstream support for Office 2016 in October 2020. They will not release any new features, bug fixes, or native Apple Silicon updates for this version.
Does Office 2016 run slower on an M1 Mac?
Because Office 2016 must run through the Rosetta 2 translation layer rather than natively, you may notice slightly slower initial launch times compared to native applications. However, general typing and spreadsheet performance is usually completely acceptable due to the high speed of the M1 chip.
Can I upgrade my Office 2016 to a supported version for M1 Macs?
Yes, you can purchase a newer standalone version like Office 2021 or subscribe to Microsoft 365, both of which natively support Apple Silicon. Alternatively, you can download a natively supported, free alternative like WPS Office to handle your documents.
