Microsoft has warned Apple users about potential issues with Office files starting next month. The company is ending support for older versions of macOS, iOS, and iPadOS, which will cause Microsoft 365 and Office to enter a limited-functionality mode.
The changes take effect July 13. After that, on unsupported devices, users will be able to open and print documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, but won’t be able to edit them, save changes, or create new files. For those who actively use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on an older Mac, iPhone, or iPad, this could come as an unpleasant surprise.
To restore normal Office operation, Microsoft recommends updating the operating system. For a Mac, that means macOS 12 Monterey or newer; for an iPhone, iOS 17 or newer; and for an iPad, iPadOS 17 or newer. After updating the system, users also need to install the latest version of Microsoft 365 or Office.
The restriction will affect not only Microsoft 365 subscribers but also users of perpetual Office versions, including Office 2021 and Office 2019 for macOS. This is important: even a previously purchased Office suite may lose some capabilities if the device no longer meets Microsoft’s new requirements.
If a Mac, iPhone, or iPad cannot be updated to the required system version, Microsoft promises to send the user an email with additional information to the address associated with their Office or Microsoft 365 account. As a workaround, the company suggests using the web versions of Microsoft 365 apps through a browser or working with Office on another device.
For owners of Office 2019 for Mac, the situation is particularly sensitive: they will have to switch to web versions of Office or sign up for a Microsoft 365 subscription. So users of older Apple devices should check their system version well ahead of time and update before July 13 to avoid losing the ability to edit work documents at the worst possible moment.