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How to Fix Office for Mac Requires macOS 12.0 or Later Error
Question details
The user is unable to install Microsoft Office on an older Mac because the installer requires a newer operating system.
- Product
- Microsoft Office for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS (versions prior to 12.0)
- Scenario
- Attempting to install or update Microsoft Office on an older Mac computer that is running an outdated version of macOS.
- Observed behavior
- The installation process halts and displays an error message stating that the software requires macOS 12.0 or later, preventing the user from completing the setup.
Check your current macOS version by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner and selecting 'About This Mac' to ensure you download the correct legacy Office build.
Download a Compatible Legacy Version of Microsoft Office
Install a specific older build of Microsoft Office that officially supports your current macOS version.
Microsoft typically only supports the three most recent major versions of macOS. If your Mac cannot be upgraded to macOS 12.0 or later, you must download a legacy version of the Office suite that corresponds to your operating system.
Click the Apple logo in the menu bar and select 'About This Mac' to see if you are running Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, or High Sierra.
For macOS Big Sur (11), download Office build 16.77. For macOS Catalina (10.15), download Office build 16.66. For macOS Mojave (10.14), use build 16.54, and for High Sierra (10.13), use build 16.43. Ensure you only download these .pkg files from official Microsoft CDN domains.
Double-click the downloaded .pkg file. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation of the legacy Office suite.
If macOS warns that the installer is from an unknown source, open System Preferences, go to Security & Privacy, and click 'Open Anyway' under the General tab.
Request a Refund for Your Office Purchase
If you recently purchased Office but your Mac is too old to run it securely, you may be eligible for a refund.
Use WPS Office for Mac - Fast, Lightweight, and Highly Compatible
If your older Mac cannot run the latest versions of Microsoft Office, WPS Office is an excellent free alternative. It is lightweight, runs smoothly on older hardware, and provides everything you need to create and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
- 1. Visit the WPS Office website: Go to the official WPS Office website using your Mac's web browser.
- 2. Download the Mac version: Click the 'Free Download' button to download the WPS Office .dmg file for Mac.
- 3. Install and launch: Open the .dmg file, drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder, and launch the app to start working seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft Office suddenly require macOS 12.0 or later?
Microsoft updates its system requirements to match Apple's support lifecycle, which typically only supports the three most recent major versions of macOS. This ensures that the software can utilize the latest security frameworks and performance enhancements.
Is it safe to download older versions of Microsoft Office for Mac?
Yes, as long as you download the installer packages directly from official Microsoft domains (like officecdn.microsoft.com). Avoid downloading legacy installers from third-party software websites to prevent malware infections.
Will my older version of Office automatically update to a newer version?
No. The Microsoft AutoUpdate tool checks your current macOS version and will not push updates that exceed your system's compatibility. You will stay on the maximum supported build for your specific OS.
How do I fix the 'installer is from an unknown source' error on macOS Catalina?
If macOS Catalina flags the official Microsoft installer as an unknown source, open your Mac's 'System Preferences', select 'Security & Privacy', navigate to the 'General' tab, and click the 'Open Anyway' button next to the blocked installation.
