Fix Office 2016 and Office 2019 Compatibility Issues on macOS Sierra
Question details
The user needs to know whether Office 2016 and Office 2019 are compatible with macOS Sierra, and how to use Office offline without upgrading their operating system after a recent update broke activation.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2016 / 2019
- Device & OS
- macOS Sierra (10.12.6)
- Scenario
- Attempting to install, activate, or maintain Microsoft Office applications offline on an older Mac operating system.
- Observed behavior
- Office 2019 cannot be installed or run, and Office 2016 activation stopped working after an update was applied on macOS Sierra.
Verify your exact macOS version by clicking the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and selecting 'About This Mac'.
Uninstall Office 2019 and Reinstall Office 2016
Office 2019 requires macOS 10.14 or later. If you are on macOS Sierra (10.12.6), you must remove Office 2019 and install the compatible Office 2016 version.
Since macOS Sierra is an older operating system, newer versions of Office (like Office 2019 and Office 2021) do not support it. Trying to run them will result in installation or activation errors. Downgrading to Office 2016 is the official method to restore functionality.
Open the Finder, go to the Applications folder, and drag all Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) to the Trash. Empty the Trash to ensure the incompatible files are removed.
Download and run the official Microsoft Office License Removal Tool to clear any lingering Office 2019 activation files or corrupted Office 2016 license keys.
Log into your Microsoft account, navigate to Services & Subscriptions, and download the Office 2016 installer. Run the downloaded package and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
Open any Office 2016 application, click 'Get Started', and sign in with the Microsoft account associated with your Office 2016 license or Microsoft 365 subscription to activate it.
Use WPS Office as a Lightweight Alternative for Mac
If your Mac's operating system is too old to support modern Microsoft Office versions and you lack an Office 2016 license, WPS Office is an excellent free, lightweight alternative. It requires fewer system resources and provides seamless offline capabilities.
- 1. Download the Mac installer: Visit the WPS Office website and download the Mac version of the software.
- 2. Install the application: Open the downloaded package and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Office documents offline: Double-click your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files to open and edit them seamlessly without an internet connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Microsoft 365 subscription make Office 2019 work on macOS Sierra?
No. While a Microsoft 365 subscription can be used to activate Office 2016, it does not bypass the system requirements for Office 2019. Office 2019 fundamentally requires macOS 10.14 or later to run.
Can I just uninstall the recent update that broke my Office 2016 activation?
Since Office 2016 for Mac is no longer officially supported or updated by Microsoft, manually rolling back a specific update can be difficult and may not resolve the activation loop. It is recommended to use the License Removal Tool and perform a clean installation instead.
What happens if I don't have an Office 2016 license for my older Mac?
If you do not own a valid Office 2016 license and cannot upgrade your macOS to support newer versions, you will not be able to activate Microsoft Office. In this case, using a free, highly compatible alternative like WPS Office or LibreOffice is the best way to open and edit your files offline.
