Using an older Apple device? Microsoft Office is taking away editing features soon

Microsoft is set to push 2019 and 2021 Office apps on macOS and iOS into reduced functionality mode starting July 13, 2026. After this date, users can still open, view, and print existing files. However, editing, saving, and creating new documents won’t work.

According to Microsoft’s official support page, the change stems from a certificate expiration. It affects both Microsoft 365 subscribers and owners of individual licenses, such as Office 2019 and Office 2021.

The new versions require macOS 12 (Monterey) or later, and iOS 17 (or later). Put simply, if your device is running iOS 16 or macOS 11, these older versions of Microsoft apps will enter reduced functionality mode after July 13.

If your device supports any versions after this, you can simply update your software and then update the Microsoft apps to resolve the issue.

Unfortunately, Office 2019 for Mac has reached the end of support in October 2023, and cannot receive any further updates, leaving these users permanently in read-only mode.

Reddit users quickly noticed the announcement, with threads sharing screenshots of warning emails. People criticized the move, since it’s effectively disabling paid licenses. Many highlighted that they bought Office 2019 expecting lifelong functionality without subscriptions.

Reactions have been largely negative, since this change is rather anti-consumer. It’s essentially revoking ownership of purchased software, and many were contemplating switching over to LibreOffice or Apple’s iWork suite.

Apple recently updated the iWork suite as well, with a premium subscription with extra features. However, the apps remain entirely free for normal use, and there’s no “certificate trouble” or “reduced functionality mode.”

Interestingly, Microsoft 365 remains free on the web version, so if you have continuous access to the internet, it’s a viable alternative.

What’s going on here is unfortunate, and the only solutions remaining for iOS and macOS users on older versions are to switch to alternatives, since read-only mode is almost useless. The changes don’t affect Windows or Android users, who can continue using older versions of these apps (on older devices) without any issues.

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