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How to Install an Older Microsoft 365 Version on macOS Big Sur
Question details
The user needs to find and install a Microsoft 365 version compatible with macOS Big Sur.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS Big Sur
- Scenario
- Reinstalling the Office suite after an operating system reinstallation on an older Mac.
- Observed behavior
- The latest Microsoft 365 installers are incompatible and fail to install, as they only support the three most recent major macOS versions.
Ensure you have completely uninstalled any existing or partially installed newer versions of Microsoft Office from your Mac before attempting to install the older compatible package.
Download a Compatible Version from Microsoft Office Update History
Since Microsoft 365 only supports the three latest macOS versions, you must manually download an older, compatible release from the official update history page.
Microsoft updates its system requirements regularly, limiting Office support to the three most recent major versions of macOS. If your Mac is running Big Sur, you must use a legacy installer (typically version 16.66 or older) to successfully install the software.
Open Finder, navigate to the Applications folder, and move any existing Microsoft Office apps (like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) to the Trash to prevent version conflicts.
Open your web browser and navigate to the official Microsoft page for 'Update history for Office for Mac'.
Scroll through the release history table to find a version released when macOS Big Sur was still supported. Version 16.66 (released in October 2022) is generally the final supported version.
Click the download link for the full Office suite installer package (.pkg). Once downloaded, open the file and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
Try WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Mac Experience
If managing legacy Microsoft 365 installers on macOS Big Sur is inconvenient, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that works seamlessly on both older and newer Macs without complex setups.
- 1. Download WPS Office for Mac: Visit the official WPS website and download the free macOS installation file.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open and Edit: Launch WPS Office to immediately start creating and editing your documents with full format compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last version of Microsoft 365 supported on macOS Big Sur?
Version 16.66 (released in October 2022) is typically the last version of Microsoft 365 that officially supports macOS Big Sur. You can find it listed in the Office for Mac update history.
Why does my Microsoft 365 installer say my macOS version is too old?
Microsoft’s policy is to only support the three most recent major macOS releases. Once a new macOS version is released by Apple, support for the oldest of the three is dropped, requiring users on older OS versions to use legacy installers.
Will an older version of Microsoft 365 still work and activate?
Yes, older versions will continue to function and can be activated with your valid Microsoft 365 subscription credentials. However, they will no longer receive new feature updates or security patches.
