Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac Faces Functionality Loss Due to Expiring Certificate
Microsoft Office 2019 and 2021 versions for Mac will enter a reduced functionality mode on July 13, 2026, due to an expiring license validation certificate. Users will be unable to edit or save files. The issue affects both subscription and perpetual license holders, with no fix available for Office 2019 users.
Key points
- Microsoft Office 2019 and 2021 for Mac will stop editing/saving files from July 13, 2026.
- The issue stems from an expiring certificate used to validate Office software licenses.
- Users will be restricted to opening, printing, and viewing files, entering 'reduced functionality mode'.
- This affects both Microsoft 365 subscribers and perpetual license holders on macOS.
- Microsoft states Office 2019 for Mac cannot be updated to resolve the issue, as support ended in October 2023.
- The problem does not impact Windows or Android versions of Office.
Microsoft is preparing to render certain versions of its Office suite on Apple's macOS inoperable for core functions starting July 13, 2026. Users of Office 2019 and Office 2021 for Mac will find their software unable to edit, save, or create new documents. While opening and printing files will remain possible, the applications will enter what Microsoft terms a "reduced functionality mode."
The root cause is the expiration of a critical certificate required to validate user licenses for the software. This will impact both users with Microsoft 365 subscriptions and those who purchased perpetual licenses for Office 2019 and 2021. The only proposed solution involves updating the operating system to macOS 12 or later, followed by an application update.
However, this solution is not universally applicable. Microsoft 365 subscribers can typically manage updates, but users of Office 2019, whose support concluded in October 2023, are specifically excluded from a fix. Microsoft acknowledges that Office 2019 for Mac cannot be updated to overcome this certificate expiration, leaving users with few options beyond potentially subscribing to Microsoft 365 or using the web-based versions. Notably, this functionality loss is exclusive to the Mac platform and does not affect Windows or Android devices.
Sources
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