Microsoft to Convert Office 2019/2021 for Mac to View-Only Mode
Original: Microsoft Office 2019 and 2021 for Mac view-only conversion
Why This Matters
Shows shift in software ownership rights and remote software degradation
Microsoft will remotely downgrade Office 2019 and 2021 for Mac to view-only mode on July 13, 2026, when license validation certificates expire. Users can open files but cannot edit or save them after this date.
Microsoft Office 2019 and 2021 for Mac, sold as perpetual licenses for $149.99, will enter "reduced functionality mode" on July 13, 2026 due to certificate expiry. Originally, Microsoft assured customers in 2023 that Office 2019 apps would "continue to function" after end-of-support. However, by May 2026, Microsoft edited their support page, removing the functionality assurance and changing the publication date from April 2023 to May 2026. Office 2019 reached end-of-support in October 2023, while Office 2021 is scheduled for October 2026. The products were marketed as one-time purchases contrasted against Office 365 subscriptions.