'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Fix Microsoft AutoUpdate Incorrectly Requiring macOS 13 or Later
Question details
The user is unable to install or update Office applications because Microsoft AutoUpdate falsely detects the operating system as being older than macOS 13.
- Product
- Microsoft AutoUpdate / Office for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS 15 Sequoia (Apple silicon)
- Scenario
- Attempting to install or update Microsoft Office applications (such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) using Microsoft AutoUpdate on a newer Mac.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft AutoUpdate and Office applications display an error stating that macOS 13 or newer is required, despite the Mac already running a more recent version (macOS 15 Sequoia).
Ensure you have administrator privileges on your Mac and save any open documents, as you may need to restart your computer to apply these fixes.
Manually Install the Latest Microsoft AutoUpdate
Bypass the malfunctioning updater by manually downloading and installing the newest version directly from Microsoft.
Older versions of Microsoft AutoUpdate (such as version 4.77) may contain bugs that fail to properly recognize newer operating systems like macOS Sequoia, especially on Apple silicon M-series chips.
Open Finder, press Command+Shift+G, and go to /Library/Application Support/Microsoft/. Move the 'MAU2.0' folder (which contains Microsoft AutoUpdate) to the Trash.
Visit the official Microsoft release-history page for Office for Mac and download the latest Microsoft AutoUpdate package.
Run the downloaded .pkg file to install the latest version. Once installed, open an Office application like Word and select Help > Check for Updates to try again.
Clear the Microsoft AutoUpdate Cache
Removing corrupted cache files can force Microsoft AutoUpdate to correctly detect your current macOS version.
Test in Safe Mode or a New User Account
Isolate the problem to determine if a third-party software conflict or a corrupted macOS user profile is causing the detection error.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Mac Experience
If Microsoft AutoUpdate continues to cause frustrating errors on your Apple silicon Mac, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a seamless, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office without the bloated update utilities.
- 1. Visit the official website: Go to the WPS Office website and click the free download button for macOS.
- 2. Install the application: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open and seamlessly edit: Launch WPS Office and immediately start opening or editing your existing Microsoft Office files with perfect formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft AutoUpdate think I have an older macOS version?
This is a known compatibility glitch in certain versions of Microsoft AutoUpdate (such as version 4.77) where the software fails to correctly read the OS version string on newer operating systems like macOS 15 Sequoia, particularly on Apple M-series chips.
Can I update Microsoft Office on Mac without using AutoUpdate?
Yes. You can bypass AutoUpdate entirely by visiting the official Microsoft Office release history page and manually downloading the standalone update or installation packages for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Will uninstalling Microsoft AutoUpdate delete my Office apps or files?
No. Microsoft AutoUpdate is merely a background utility used for downloading patches. Deleting it will not uninstall your Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) nor will it affect any of your saved documents.
