Office 2024 for Mac: System Requirements, macOS Compatibility, and How to Install
The Office 2024 for Mac system requirements are an Intel or Apple silicon Mac running one of the three most recent versions of macOS, 4 GB of RAM, 10 GB of available disk space, and a 1280 x 800 screen resolution.
Before you buy Office 2024 for your Mac, it’s worth a two-minute check that your Mac meets Microsoft’s requirements. This guide covers exactly what Microsoft lists, which macOS versions are supported right now, how Apple silicon and Intel Macs are handled, and how installation and activation work.
The quick answer
To run Office 2024 for Mac, Microsoft says you need:
A Mac with an Intel or Apple silicon processor, running one of the three most recent major versions of macOS. As of September 2026, Microsoft lists those as macOS Golden Gate 27, macOS Tahoe 26, and macOS Sequoia 15.- 4 GB of RAM.
- 10 GB of available disk space.
- A 1280 x 800 screen resolution.
- An internet connection to redeem, install, and activate Office, and periodically to keep it activated.
- A Microsoft account.
You also need the Mac version of Office. Office for Mac and Office for Windows are separate products.
Which Office 2024 editions run on a Mac?
Microsoft makes two Office 2024 suites for individuals and families in Mac versions:
- Office Home 2024 for Mac: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote.
- Office Home & Business 2024 for Mac: everything in Home, plus Outlook. Microsoft positions it for use at home or at work.
Both are one-time purchases for a single Mac. Microsoft notes that these suites don’t include the services that come with Microsoft 365, such as OneDrive, Exchange Online, and SharePoint Online.
Not on Mac: Microsoft’s list of Office apps for macOS is Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, OneDrive, and Teams. Access isn’t on that list, and Office 2024 Professional Plus is a Windows edition.
To see how the editions differ app by app, compare the Office 2024 editions. Setting up a Windows PC instead? See our guide to installing Office 2024 on Windows.
Office 2024 for Mac system requirements
Here are Microsoft’s requirements for Office Home 2024 for Mac and Office Home & Business 2024 for Mac:
| Component | Requirement (per Microsoft) |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel or Apple silicon, as supported by the three most recent versions of macOS |
| Operating system | The three most recent major versions of macOS |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM |
| Disk space | 10 GB available |
| Display | 1280 x 800 resolution |
| Internet | Required to redeem, activate, and keep the apps activated |
| Browser | Current version of Microsoft Edge, Safari, Chrome, or Firefox |
| Account | A Microsoft account (or work or school account) for license assignment |
Which macOS versions are supported?
Microsoft’s policy is that Office 2024 for Mac supports the three most recent major versions of macOS. When Apple releases a new major version, Microsoft adds it and drops the oldest.
As of September 2026, Microsoft lists:
| macOS version | Supported by Office 2024 for Mac? |
|---|---|
| macOS Golden Gate 27 | Yes |
| macOS Tahoe 26 | Yes |
| macOS Sequoia 15 | Yes |
Microsoft also says new installs of Office 2024 for Mac require macOS Sonoma or later.
What if your Mac is on an older version? Microsoft says Office apps keep working on an older macOS, but they stop receiving updates, including security updates. Updating macOS to a supported version gets updates flowing again.
How to check your macOS version: choose the Apple menu > About This Mac. The version name and number appear at the top.
Apple silicon and Intel Macs
Microsoft says Office for Mac runs natively on both Apple silicon and Intel-based Macs. The installer is a single Universal 2 package, so there’s no separate download to pick for your chip.
That means the question “Will Office 2024 run on my MacBook Air?” (or MacBook Pro, iMac, or Mac mini) comes down to two things: is the Mac on one of the supported macOS versions, and does it have at least 4 GB of RAM and 10 GB of free disk space? If yes, it meets Microsoft’s requirements.
Before you install: a quick checklist
- Confirm your macOS version is supported (see above).
- Free up at least 10 GB of disk space.
- Make sure you’re connected to the internet.
- Have your Microsoft account details ready, or create a free account if you don’t have one.
- Check that you bought the Mac version. Microsoft says installing the Mac version on a PC, or the Windows version on a Mac, gives an Unsupported operating system error.
How to install Office 2024 on a Mac
Follow the installation and activation steps included with your order. For reference, here’s how Microsoft describes the general process for Office 2024 on a Mac.
Step 1: Link Office to your Microsoft account
For Office home products, Microsoft says to go to setup.office.com, sign in with your Microsoft account (or create one), and follow the steps on that page, including entering a product key if you have one. When your account is linked, you’ll see your My Office Account page.
Step 2: Download the installer
Go to m365.cloud.microsoft/apps and sign in with the same Microsoft account.
Select Install apps to start the download.
Step 3: Run the installer
Open Finder, go to Downloads, and double-click Microsoft Office installer.pkg (the name may vary slightly).
Select Continue, review the license agreement, select Continue, and then Agree.
Choose how to install, then select Install. To install only some apps, select Customize and uncheck the ones you don’t want.
Enter your Mac login password if asked, and select Install Software.
Select Close when the installation finishes.
Tip from Microsoft: if you see a message that the installer can’t be opened because it’s from an unidentified developer, wait 10 seconds, move the file to your desktop, and then hold Control and click the file to open it.
Step 4: Activate
Open Launchpad from the Dock.
Open Microsoft Word (or another Office app).
In the What’s New window that opens, select Get Started and follow the prompts.
Step 5 (optional): Keep Office in your Dock
Go to Finder > Applications and open the Office app. Then Control-click its icon in the Dock and choose Options > Keep in Dock.
Common problems and quick fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Unsupported operating system error | You have the Windows version, or your macOS isn’t supported | Make sure your product is the Mac version and your macOS is one of the supported versions |
| “Can’t be opened because it is from an unidentified developer” | macOS security check | Wait 10 seconds, move the installer to your desktop, then Control-click it |
| Office apps open but don’t update | Your Mac is on an older macOS | Update macOS to a supported version |
| Activation doesn’t complete | No internet connection, or signed in with a different account | Connect to the internet and sign in with the Microsoft account you used to redeem Office |
If none of these help, email our support team with a screenshot of the message and we’ll help you sort it out.
Buying Office for several Macs
Each Office Home 2024 for Mac or Office Home & Business 2024 for Mac license covers one Mac. If you’re setting up several Macs for a business, request a quote and tell us how many Macs and which apps your team needs.
Ready to choose? See Office Home 2024 for Mac or Office Home & Business 2024 for Mac, or browse all Office 2024 licenses. Always check that the product page says Mac before you order for a Mac.
Frequently asked questions
Microsoft lists an Intel or Apple silicon Mac running one of the three most recent major versions of macOS, 4 GB of RAM, 10 GB of available disk space, and a 1280 x 800 display. You also need an internet connection to redeem and activate Office, and a Microsoft account.
Office 2024 for Mac supports the three most recent major versions of macOS. As of September 2026, Microsoft lists those as macOS Golden Gate 27, macOS Tahoe 26, and macOS Sequoia 15. Microsoft also says new installs of Office 2024 for Mac require macOS Sonoma or later.
Yes. Microsoft says Office for Mac runs natively on both Apple silicon and Intel-based Macs, using a single Universal 2 installer. Any MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, or Mac mini that runs a supported macOS version and has at least 4 GB of RAM and 10 GB of free disk space meets Microsoft’s requirements.
No. Office for Windows and Office for Mac are separate versions. Microsoft says installing the wrong one gives an Unsupported operating system error. Make sure the product page says Mac before you order for a Mac.
No. Microsoft’s list of Office apps available for macOS is Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, OneDrive, and Teams. Access isn’t available for Mac.
Only at certain times. Microsoft says internet access is needed to redeem Office and link it to your Microsoft account, to activate the apps, and periodically to keep them activated.
Microsoft says Office apps still work on an older macOS, but they no longer receive updates, including security updates. Updating macOS to one of the three most recent major versions lets updates install again.
Questions about Office for Mac?
Not sure whether your Mac is ready, or buying for several Macs? We’re happy to help.
- Business or volume orders: request a quote.
- Help with an order: email support@solveditservices.com (fastest), or call (447) 223-5297.
- More answers are on our FAQ page.