Office · Mac · about 15 minutes · updated July 1, 2026
How to install and activate Office 2024 on a Mac
Office 2024 for Mac is a native app bundle — no emulation and no subscription prompts. This is the whole process from key to first document on macOS.
Before you start
- Your product key
- A free Microsoft account
- One of the three most recent macOS versions
- About 10 GB of free space
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01
Check your macOS version
Apple menu → About This Mac. Office 2024 supports the three latest macOS releases. If yours is older, update first under Settings → General → Software Update.
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02
Redeem the key
Visit setup.office.com, sign in with your Microsoft account, enter the 25-character key and confirm your region and language.
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03
Download the Mac installer
Click Install. A .pkg file of roughly 2 GB lands in Downloads. Let it finish completely before opening it.
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04
Run the installer
Double-click the .pkg, click Continue through the licence screens and enter your Mac password when asked. Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote (plus Outlook on Home & Business) are placed in Applications.
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05
Activate
Open Word from Launchpad, choose Sign in and use the same Microsoft account. A green tick confirms activation and the apps are licensed on this Mac.
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06
Allow folder access
macOS asks whether Office may access your Documents or Desktop folders. Click OK, otherwise files in those locations will not open.
If something goes wrong
Common snags.
"Office cannot verify the licence"
Quit every Office app, open Keychain Access, search "Office" and delete any "Microsoft Office Identities" entries, then reopen Word and sign in again.
Is there a separate version for Apple-silicon Macs?
No. The same package contains Universal binaries and runs natively on both Intel and M-series Macs.
Can I keep Office 2019 alongside?
No — the installer replaces it. Back up custom templates first; they live in ~/Library/Group Containers.
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