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How to Fix Microsoft 365 App Incompatibility on a 2012 iMac (macOS Catalina)
Question details
The user is unable to install Microsoft 365 applications from the Mac App Store due to operating system version requirements.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- macOS Catalina 10.15.7
- Scenario
- Attempting to install or update Microsoft 365 applications via the Mac App Store on an older Mac computer.
- Observed behavior
- The Mac App Store prevents the download and installation of Microsoft 365 apps, indicating that the current macOS version is not supported.
Verify your current operating system version by clicking the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and selecting 'About This Mac' to confirm you are running macOS Catalina.
Download a Compatible Office Version from Microsoft's Update History
Bypass the Mac App Store and download the last supported Microsoft 365 build for macOS Catalina directly from Microsoft's official servers.
The Mac App Store only hosts the newest versions of Microsoft 365, which require one of the three most recent macOS releases. Because the 2012 iMac is limited to macOS Catalina (10.15.7), you must manually download an older, compatible version of Office for Mac.
The last Microsoft 365 version to officially support macOS Catalina is version 16.66, released in October 2022.
Open your web browser and navigate to the official 'Update history for Office for Mac' page on the Microsoft website.
Scroll down the page to find the release dated October 2022 (Version 16.66). This is the final build that supports macOS Catalina.
Click on the 'Office suite (with Teams)' or 'Office suite (without Teams)' download link next to version 16.66 to download the installer package to your Mac.
Double-click the downloaded .pkg file in your Downloads folder and follow the on-screen instructions to install the software.
Launch Word or Excel from your Applications folder and sign in with your active Microsoft 365 account credentials to activate the suite.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Compatibility on Older Macs
If you are struggling with macOS version requirements or bulky application installers, WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative that works smoothly on older Apple hardware without sacrificing essential features.
- 1. Download the Mac Version: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for macOS.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Open the downloaded DMG file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I download Microsoft 365 from the Mac App Store on macOS Catalina?
The Mac App Store is designed to only provide the most recent versions of applications. Microsoft currently requires one of the three latest macOS versions for its newest Office updates, effectively locking out older operating systems like Catalina from App Store installations.
Will my older version of Office for Mac still get security updates?
No. Once your macOS version falls out of Microsoft's support window (the three most recent macOS releases), Microsoft stops providing both security and feature updates for that specific Office build. However, the applications will continue to function normally.
Can I upgrade my 2012 iMac to a newer macOS to get the latest Office apps?
Officially, Apple limits the late 2012 iMac to macOS Catalina (10.15.7). It cannot be upgraded to newer operating systems like Big Sur or Monterey through the standard Apple Software Update mechanism.
