Office for Mac Issues

How to Fix Microsoft Office Update Issues on macOS High Sierra

Phi Hung Vo Oct 7, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to update Microsoft Office or install newer versions because their Mac is running macOS High Sierra (10.13.6), which no longer meets the system requirements.

How to Fix Microsoft Office Update Issues on macOS High Sierra

Product: Microsoft Office for Mac
Device & OS: macOS 10.13.6 High Sierra
Scenario: Attempting to install or update Microsoft Office applications on an older Mac operating system.
Observed behavior: Microsoft AutoUpdate or standard installers fail to proceed, indicating that a newer version of macOS is required to install the application.

Before you start

Verify your current operating system version by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and selecting 'About This Mac' to confirm you are running High Sierra (10.13.6).

Solution 1Recommended

Install the Last Supported Office Version (16.43)

Since newer Microsoft Office versions are incompatible with High Sierra, you must manually download and install version 16.43.0, the final supported release for this specific macOS.

Hardware and operating system limitations prevent newer versions of Microsoft Office from running on macOS High Sierra. Bypassing this is natively unsupported by Microsoft, but you can still use the historical 16.43.0 build to access your applications.

Download the installer

Download the Microsoft Office 16.43.0 installer package (BusinessPro_Installer.pkg) directly from Microsoft's official CDN link or update repository.

Run the PKG file

Locate the downloaded Microsoft Office 16.43 installer in your Mac's Downloads folder and double-click it to launch the installation wizard.

Activate the software

Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation, then open any Office application such as Word and sign in with your valid Microsoft license to activate it.

Install the Last Supported Office Version (16.43)

End of Support Notice: Version 16.43.0 is no longer actively supported by Microsoft. While it functions normally, it will not receive any new features or security updates.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Seamless Mac Experience

If you are frustrated by Microsoft Office version limitations and a lack of updates on your older Mac, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative for editing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version of WPS Office.
2. Install the application: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
3. Open and edit files: Launch WPS Office to instantly open, edit, and save your existing Microsoft Office documents without formatting loss.

Excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Lightweight design that runs smoothly even on older Mac hardwareAll-in-one workspace featuring a familiar tabbed interfaceFree alternative to expensive software subscriptions

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upgrade my Mac to a newer macOS to get the latest Microsoft Office?

This depends entirely on your Mac's hardware release year. Check Apple's official compatibility lists; if your Mac is from mid-2011 or older, High Sierra is typically the maximum supported OS natively.

Is it safe to continue using Microsoft Office 16.43 on High Sierra?

While the applications will function normally for creating and editing documents, version 16.43 is no longer receiving security patches from Microsoft. You should exercise caution when opening files from unknown sources.

Can I use Office Online on macOS High Sierra?

Yes, if you cannot install the latest desktop applications, you can still use the free web-based versions of Microsoft Office by logging into Office.com through a modern web browser.

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