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How to Fix Office 2016 32-Bit Compatibility Error on an M1 Mac
Question details
The user is unable to launch Microsoft Office 2016 on an M1 Mac because the system reports the software is incompatible due to it being a 32-bit application.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2016 for Mac
- Device & OS
- Mac (Apple Silicon)
- Scenario
- Attempting to launch or install early builds of Office 2016 on a newer Mac equipped with an Apple Silicon (M1) processor.
- Observed behavior
- macOS displays an error stating that the application needs to be updated because M1 Macs use ARM architecture and cannot run older 32-bit applications.
Ensure you have your Microsoft account credentials ready, and verify that you have administrative access to uninstall applications on your Mac.
Uninstall 32-Bit Office 2016 and Install a 64-Bit Version
Because Apple Silicon Macs physically cannot run 32-bit software, you must remove the outdated Office build and install a compatible 64-bit version.
Apple entirely dropped support for 32-bit applications starting with macOS Catalina, and this hardware restriction is permanently built into Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) Macs. Early versions of Office 2016 were 32-bit, which is why they fail to run.
Microsoft later released 64-bit updates for Office 2016. If you hold a valid license, you can install this later 64-bit build, though upgrading to a newer suite is highly encouraged for security reasons.
Open Finder and navigate to your 'Applications' folder. Look for your Microsoft Office 2016 apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Drag the incompatible Microsoft Office application icons to the Trash, or right-click them and select 'Move to Trash'. Empty the Trash to completely remove the old builds.
Open your web browser and sign in to your Microsoft Account portal. Navigate to 'Services & subscriptions' and locate your Office 2016 for Mac purchase to download the latest available 64-bit installation package.
Run the downloaded .pkg file and follow the on-screen installation prompts. Once installed, launch the apps; they will now run using macOS's Rosetta 2 translation or native 64-bit architecture.
Upgrade to WPS Office for Native M1 Mac Compatibility
Don't let outdated 32-bit software slow you down. WPS Office provides native support for Apple Silicon Macs, delivering lightning-fast performance without the hefty upgrade fees of Microsoft 365. Enjoy full compatibility with all your existing Microsoft Office files in a lightweight, modern interface.
- 1. Download for Mac: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the Mac version. The installer will automatically detect your Apple Silicon architecture.
- 2. Install and Launch: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder, then launch it from Launchpad.
- 3. Open Your Files: Simply double-click your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files to open them directly in WPS Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I force a 32-bit application to run on my M1 Mac?
No, it is physically impossible. Apple Silicon (M1) processors use an ARM architecture that lacks the necessary instruction sets to run older 32-bit Mac applications. You must use 64-bit software.
Does Microsoft still provide the 64-bit download for Office 2016?
Yes, if you previously purchased Office 2016 for Mac, the final 64-bit installers are still accessible through your Microsoft account's 'Services & subscriptions' page, despite the software no longer receiving updates.
Why didn't my Office 2016 automatically update to 64-bit?
If you migrated from an older Mac using Migration Assistant, or if your Microsoft AutoUpdate tool was outdated, the old 32-bit application binaries were copied over to your new Mac without automatically fetching the 64-bit updates.
