Applications

The only solution is to buy an upgrade (or switch providers)

If you use Office 2019 on a Mac, your software will soon stop working properly and there's nothing you can do but buy an upgrade. 

From July 13, 2026, Office applications on the Apple platform could lose the ability to edit, save, or create new files. Opening and printing will still work, but otherwise it's "reduced functionality mode" time, as Microsoft puts it. 

The problem is due to the expiration of the certificate used to validate the user's Office license, and it will affect both Microsoft 365 subscribers on macOS, iPhone, and iPad and non-subscribers. Affected software includes Office 2021 and 2019.

The fix requires an update to macOS 12 or later, or iOS 17 on an iPad or iPhone, followed by an application update, which is where the problems could start.

While updates are a way of life for Microsoft 365 subscribers, they aren't for everyone. Office 2021 users can manually update – support for that product ends on October 13, 2026 – but Office 2019 users are out of luck. Support ended on October 10, 2023, and, according to Microsoft, "Because Office 2019 cannot be updated to the required version, this issue cannot be resolved by updating or reinstalling Office 2019 for Mac."

The solution? Perhaps a Microsoft 365 subscription? Or switch to using Microsoft 365 on the web?

The issue doesn't affect Windows or Android devices, but it is galling for Apple users who purchased Office 2019 and will soon be sent to "reduced functionality mode" with no support from Microsoft.

The lack of updates is understandable, considering that support ended years ago, but turning the application into little more than a viewer due to an expired license certificate seems like poor form.

Users on social media have been understandably annoyed with the situation and Microsoft's stance. One wrote, they were "completely happy with Office 2019 and saw no need to upgrade to the latest version."

But now they will. Or switch to a different vendor.

"This is appalling from Microsoft, will definitely not be supporting them in the future." ®