My paid subscription from Apple is not registering with Microsoft

Michael Bland 5 Reputation points
2025-11-13T20:09:59.6533333+00:00

I paid for Microsoft 365 via the App Store on my MacBook. Under the Apple ID of ******@icloud.com. However, I keep getting an error telling me "your purchase was successful but we are unable to associate it with your Microsoft account" how do I fix this and make a sure $100 is not wasted?

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

4 answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Admin Account - Abraham Opoku 0 Reputation points
    2026-06-07T13:38:27.3633333+00:00

    Hi Community,

    I bought M365 Family Subscription via Apple Store and is not working. I was using trial version and after the expiration date I purchased it via Apple unfortunately I’m not able to use the subscription. I spent over an hour with Apple support and they said is not their responsibility. Can someone help or direct me to a source?

    Thank you

    Abraham

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Michael Bland 5 Reputation points
    2025-11-19T14:53:46.6166667+00:00

    Microsoft stated it is an issue they are having across the board when purchased from Apple store. I requested a refund and received it. It was advised that I download directly from the Microsoft website.

    Was this answer helpful?

    3 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Peter Berridge 0 Reputation points
    2025-11-19T12:32:51.1866667+00:00

    My trial subscription started yesterday according to my Apple account on my MacBook, but my Microsoft account is not registering it.

    Was this answer helpful?

  4. John Oliver 11,680 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-11-13T20:49:13.77+00:00

    Hello Michael Bland, thanks for posting this in our community.

    To start, check your subscription status in Apple Settings. On your MacBook, go to System Settings, then Apple ID, and look under Subscriptions. Make sure Microsoft 365 appears as an active subscription under the correct Apple ID.

    Your Microsoft 365 subscription is tied to your Apple ID for billing, but it must be linked to a Microsoft account to activate and use Office apps. Even if you used an iCloud email to make the purchase, you still need to open a Microsoft Office app like Word or Excel, restore the purchase using the Apple ID that made the purchase, and then sign in with a Microsoft account to activate the subscription features.

    If the issue persists, contact Microsoft Support and provide your Apple receipt. They may be able to manually associate the subscription with your Microsoft account.

    Kind regards,

    John Oli

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.