Word for iPad won't activate

Anonymous
2014-03-29T03:20:57+00:00

I downloaded Word, Powerpoint and Excel for iPad yesterday and purchased a 365 Home Certificate. I tried to activate Word and am always given the message "Cannot Activate. This account doesn't have a paid Office 365 subscription." Then I tried activating Powerpoint and Excel -- knowing if you activate one, they're all activated -- and those won't activate either.

I have the receipt and Order ID from Apple and their phone support has been great, including today, Saturday. But ultimately, they can't help, because it's up to the developer (Microsoft). Everything is fine on the Apple side.

I have done everything possible, from rebooting, to reinstalling, to resetting my network connections, without success. So I tried to call Microsoft Support (through a link Apple kindly supplied) only to find they don't work on weekends.

I've searched the internet for solutions, but the program is so new that I appear to be the only one so far with a problem -- or maybe no one's buying a 365 Home subscription for the first time.

Any thoughts that don't include all the things I've already done would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Don

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Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2014-07-08T14:32:22+00:00

Go to settings and look for the app there..  Do u see it?...  If so try doing a Word reset" and then reload or open from AppStore page..  Report back..

This worked for me on my iPad. These are the full steps I used:

  • Open up Settings
  • Scroll all the way to the bottom in the left hand pane, select Word
  • In the right hand pane, select Reset Word
  • Turn on Delete Login Credentials
  • IF you already have Word running on your iPad, as I did: Double-press the iPad's home button to bring up all currently running programs, swipe back and forth until you see Word, flick the Word screen up to stop the program 
  • Press the iPad's home button to get back to the home screen
  • Select Word
  • Swipe all the way through the introductory screens until it says "Sign in now" - select Sign in
  • Enter your e-mail address, selected "Next"
  • Sign in to your Microsoft account with your e-mail and password, select "Sign in"
  • Select "Buy Office 365"
  • At the bottom, select the "Restore previous purchase" link
  • Enter your iTunes password

Yeesh.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-05-29T19:43:14+00:00

    Go to settings and look for the app there..  Do u see it?...  If so try doing a Word reset" and then reload or open from AppStore page..  Report back..

    I tried the reset and still get the Can't Verify Subscription try again later.  I like the refund strategy. This is so ridiculous.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-05-29T20:57:09+00:00

    Go to settings and look for the app there..  Do u see it?...  If so try doing a Word reset" and then reload or open from AppStore page..  Report back..

    I tried the reset and still get the Can't Verify Subscription try again later.  I like the refund strategy. This is so ridiculous.

    Hi ductor,

    Sorry to hear that you are having issues. Here are a few steps you can try before doing a refund:

    1. Reset the app, which you say you have already tried. But below are the steps to make sure your are resetting everything about the app:

    Getting your app back to the First Run State: 

    Go to Settings and then scroll down to the <Office app> you want to reset.

    Under RESET, tap Reset < Office app>.

    Turn on Delete Login Credentials. 

    Close your app if it’s running before you start it again to see the first run screen and enter your new creds. 

    To close, go to the Home screen of your iPad. 

    Press the iPad's Home button twice rapidly. A list of your recent apps appears on the screen. 

     Swipe up the app to close it.

    1. Reset your device (I understand this is a painful method).
    2. To get a refund, you will have to get in touch with Apple Customer Support and ask them to cancel your subscription and give you a refund.

    Let me know if either of the first 2 steps helped you resolve the issue.

    Thanks,

    Sumesh

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-05-29T23:00:13+00:00

    Thanks Sumes, but neither step worked.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-06-15T13:23:17+00:00

    Same problem.. (from the Philippines) Can anyone tell me how to contact for refund or any help.. this is frustrating.. I was expecting this to be an easy transaction and ready for use but totally disappointed..

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