Office for Mac Issues

How to Verify Microsoft 365 Installation on Mac Without Removing Office 2019

Maira Mehtab Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to confirm that Microsoft 365 is successfully installed and activated on their Mac without having to delete their existing Office 2019 installation first.

How to Verify Microsoft 365 Installation on Mac Without Removing Office 2019

Product: Microsoft 365 / Office 2019
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Installing a new Microsoft 365 subscription on a Mac that already has a perpetual Office 2019 license installed, leading to confusion about which version is currently active.
Observed behavior: After installing Microsoft 365, the Applications folder only shows Office 2019 applications. The user is unsure if the Microsoft 365 installation was successful or which license is actually being used.

Before you start

Ensure you have the login credentials for the Microsoft account associated with your active Microsoft 365 subscription before proceeding.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify the Active License via Microsoft Account and In-App Info

This is the simplest way to confirm your subscription status online and check which license your Mac is currently utilizing without uninstalling anything.

Microsoft uses the same core application files for both Office 2019 and Microsoft 365 on macOS. Because of this, the application icons and names in your Applications folder may not change after upgrading. The active features are determined solely by the account you use to sign in.

Check your Microsoft subscription

Open a web browser and navigate to account.microsoft.com/services. Sign in with your Microsoft account to verify that your Microsoft 365 subscription is active.

Open an Office application

Launch any Office application on your Mac, such as Microsoft Word or Excel, from the Applications folder.

Check the active license

Click on the application's name (e.g., 'Word') in the top Apple menu bar, then select 'About Word'. In the dialog box that appears, look for the 'License' field to see if it says 'Microsoft 365 Subscription' or 'Office 2019'.

Verify the Active License via Microsoft Account and In-App Info

Account Sign-in: If the license still shows as Office 2019, ensure you are signed in with the correct email address tied to your Microsoft 365 subscription by checking the 'Belongs to' section in the About window.

Solution 2

Reinstall from the Microsoft 365 Web Portal

Use this solution if your original Office 2019 applications were downloaded from the Mac App Store, as App Store versions can occasionally resist switching to a Microsoft 365 license.

Solution 3

Clear Old Licenses using the License Removal Tool

If you continue to experience activation conflicts where Office 2019 persists despite signing in with a Microsoft 365 account, use this official tool to reset your Mac's license files.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience on Mac

Avoid confusing license overlaps, activation errors, and hefty subscription fees. WPS Office is a powerful, lightweight, all-in-one office suite for Mac that delivers full compatibility with Microsoft file formats without the licensing headaches.

1. Download for Mac: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the macOS installation package.
2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
3. Open Your Office Files: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx files with perfect formatting preservation.

Seamlessly open, edit, and save Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.Lightweight all-in-one architecture—manage documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in a single tabbed window.Completely free core features, eliminating the need for complex subscription troubleshooting.Familiar user interface designed specifically for macOS, making the switch effortless.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my Mac applications still say Office 2019 after buying Microsoft 365?

Microsoft uses a unified installation package for Office on Mac. The application names and base files remain the same. The features you have access to depend entirely on the license tied to the Microsoft account you use to sign in.

Do I absolutely have to uninstall Office 2019 to use Microsoft 365 on Mac?

Not necessarily. If you simply sign out of your Office 2019 account and sign in with your Microsoft 365 account within the apps, they should update to use the new license. You only need to uninstall or use the license removal tool if activation conflicts occur.

Will using the Microsoft License Removal Tool delete my personal documents?

No. The license removal tool only deletes the hidden files on your Mac that store your Office activation status. Your Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents are completely safe and will not be affected.

How do I know which Office version is currently active on my Mac?

Open any Office application (like Word or Excel). Click the application name in the top Mac menu bar (e.g., 'Word') and select 'About Word'. A window will appear detailing whether your active license is 'Office 2019' or a 'Microsoft 365 Subscription'.

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