Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac will become read-only next month

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Microsoft has announced that Office 2019 for Mac will go almost useless adjacent month, pinch nan institution blaming an expiring integer license. Starting July 13, Mac users moving older versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote will only beryllium capable to unfastened and people files, efficaciously rendering them arsenic read-only "productivity" apps.

Microsoft calls this "reduced functionality mode," which prevents users from editing, redeeming aliases creating caller files. iPhone and iPad Microsoft 365 subscribers are besides affected, arsenic good those who usage non-subscription versions of Office 2019 aliases Office 2021.

If you're a Mac personification whose machine tin tally macOS 12 (Monterey) aliases an iPad aliases iPhone personification connected iOS17 aliases above, you tin resoluteness nan outdated certificate rumor by simply updating Microsoft 365 aliases Office 2021. But those pinch Office 2019 are beautiful overmuch retired of luck. Microsoft ceased its support for this type of nan suite connected October 10, 2023, erstwhile it stopped providing updates. This intends it can't beryllium updated connected your Mac, and reinstalling won't do nan instrumentality either. 

To proceed utilizing Office apps arsenic you did before, Microsoft advises either subscribing to Microsoft 365 aliases making a one-time acquisition of Office 2024, nan astir caller type of nan suite. You tin besides usage apps for illustration Word, Excel and PowerPoint for free successful your browser pinch a Microsoft account.

The certificate expiration rumor only applies to those who usage Office and Microsoft 365 connected macOS and iOS. Windows and Android are not affected, and Office 2021 will proceed to beryllium supported until October 13, 2026, erstwhile it will besides extremity receiving information updates.

Older versions of package being phased retired is thing new, but arsenic The Verge notes, this peculiar lawsuit will beryllium galling for Office users who were assured backmost successful 2023 that their apps would "continue to function" contempt Microsoft nary longer supporting them. This guarantee was past softly tweaked successful an update past month, pinch nan institution removing immoderate mention of functionality and only promising that personification information will stay safe.