Microsoft might be successfully bricking the standalone Workplace 2019 for Mac, iPad, and iPhone customers on July 13, 2026. There’s not a lot you are able to do about it, apart from purchase once more, or subscribe to Workplace 365.
In October, Microsoft formally ended help for Workplace 2019 for Mac, a standalone model of its ubiquitous productiveness suite. Whereas help was now not supplied, customers may nonetheless use the software program.
Sadly, that is about to alter regardless of how outdated your {hardware} is, and no matter what model of Apple’s OSes you are working.
Beginning July 13, 2026, Microsoft will disable virtually all performance for Microsoft Workplace customers on macOS 11 Huge Sur. It’s going to additionally put Workplace 2019 into read-only mode for all customers, no matter OS.
It is also bricking its cellular apps on gadgets working iPadOS 16 and iOS 16 or earlier.
This is what meaning for you.
You possibly can nonetheless entry your information
Earlier than you begin to panic, don’t be concerned; you’ll nonetheless have the ability to entry all your Microsoft Workplace information.
What you will not have the ability to do, nonetheless, is edit them, save them, or create any new information. As an alternative, you may be relegated to what Microsoft charitably calls “decreased performance mode.”
It actually ought to be known as “give us extra money mode.”
On this mode, you may view and print information, however you can’t edit, save, or create new information. In any respect. If you wish to work together together with your information in any significant means, you could have a few completely different choices.
Customers with Microsoft 365 and Workplace 2021
Should you’re on macOS 11 or earlier, you may have to improve to macOS 12 Monterey, or later to proceed utilizing Microsoft Workplace 365 or Workplace 2021. Doing so is comparatively simple, assuming your Mac helps it.
To replace, you may have to:
- Open Settings
- Click on the Common tab
- If obtainable, click on Software program Replace and comply with the directions
For cellular customers, updating your iPad or iPhone is finished by following the steps under.
- Open the Settings app
- Faucet Common
- If obtainable, faucet Software program Replace and comply with the directions
In case your Mac or cellular machine of selection does not help the minimal required working system, you are not solely out of choices, both.
In case your Mac does not help macOS 12 or newer, you should buy a Microsoft 365 subscription and use Microsoft 365 out of your most well-liked browser.
This is probably not probably the most handy solution to entry your information long run, however it is going to let you edit and save them.
Necessary: You may discover we did not point out Workplace 2024, and for good motive. Workplace 2024 requires macOS 14, that is macOS Sonoma, so these customers are already within the clear.
Should you’re working Microsoft Workplace 2019 for Mac in 2026
Whereas Microsoft’s help documentation shouldn’t be solely clear, it appears as if the corporate is successfully bricking Workplace 2019 for all macOS customers, no matter working system.
Because of this even for those who’re working macOS 26, the newest iteration of Apple’s working system, you’ll lose most performance inside Workplace 2019. This is not terribly perfect, particularly since many on-line distributors are nonetheless actively promoting Workplace 2019 to customers.
Sadly, no matter what you do, you are going to be compelled to maneuver to an up to date model. This consists of both buying a one-time license like Workplace 2021 or Workplace 2024 or subscribing to Microsoft 365.
AppleInsider suggests that you just go for Workplace 2024 for those who select a one-time license. Microsoft clearly states that it solely helps one-time buy software program for 5 years.
Because of this Workplace 2021 is dropping help in late 2026. By buying Workplace 2024, you must nonetheless obtain help till 2029, based mostly on Microsoft’s acknowledged five-year help window.
In fact, you can additionally take this as an indication to maneuver to Apple’s free iWork suite, LibreOffice, or different options.

