Confused on how to check my subscription status?

The message means the installed Office apps think the current subscription or license will stop being valid on May 1, 2026. After that date, Word will go into reduced functionality mode: documents can be opened and printed, but not edited or newly created.

To check and manage the subscription and avoid that:

1. Confirm which account actually has a license
   The desktop apps must be activated with an account that has a qualifying Microsoft 365 subscription (for example, Microsoft 365 Personal/Family or a work/school license). If the account has no such license, Word will show expiry/activation warnings. Use the guidance from the activation article:
   • Sign in to the Microsoft account services page mentioned in the context: Subscriptions.
   • Verify that an Office product or Microsoft 365 subscription is listed and that it is not expired. If nothing appears, that email address does not have an Office license associated with it.
   If using a work or school account, the license may be assigned by the organization. In that case, sign in with the work/school account and check whether a Microsoft 365 subscription is visible there. If no Office product is found, that account does not entitle the Mac to run the desktop apps.
2. Make sure Word is signed in with the right account
   The most common cause of “subscription” or “unlicensed product” notices is that Word is signed in with an account that does not have a license, or is signed in with multiple accounts that conflict. From the activation guidance:
   • In Word on the Mac, go to File → Account (or the equivalent Account/Office Account section).
   • Sign out of all accounts shown there.
   • Sign back in using the email address that shows an active Microsoft 365 subscription on the Subscriptions page.
   If there are multiple Office installs or accounts, that can cause activation conflicts; ensure only the correct, licensed account is used.
3. Understand what happens if nothing is done by May 1
   The subscription-notice article explains that if the warning is ignored:
   • Office eventually runs in reduced functionality mode.
   • Word, Excel, etc. can still open and print documents, but editing and creating new documents is disabled.
   • Files in OneDrive are not deleted by this; the issue is with the desktop apps’ ability to edit.
   Backing up OneDrive files is still a good precaution, but the warning itself is about the Office license, not file deletion.
4. If the subscription is expired or missing
   From the activation error guidance:
   • If the subscription has expired, the Subscriptions page will show that and may say “We couldn’t find any Office products.”
   • To keep using the desktop apps, renew or purchase a Microsoft 365 plan that includes desktop Office apps (for home use, that is typically Microsoft 365 Personal or Family).
   Note that a Microsoft 365 Basic plan does not include desktop Office apps; it only provides OneDrive storage and web/mobile Office. If the account only has Microsoft 365 Basic, the desktop Word on the Mac will not stay activated and will eventually go into reduced functionality mode.
5. If desktop apps are not required
   If choosing not to renew or buy a plan with desktop apps, Word can still be used in a browser for free:
   • Go to Office.com and sign in.
   • Use Word on the web to edit documents stored in OneDrive.
   This does not require a paid subscription, though storage limits and features are more limited than with a paid plan.

In summary, before May 1, 2026, identify which account has an active Microsoft 365 subscription that includes desktop apps, ensure Word on the Mac is signed in with that account only, and renew or purchase the appropriate plan if no such subscription exists. OneDrive files are not removed by the license change, but editing in the desktop apps will be restricted if the license is not valid.

References:

• Unlicensed Product and activation errors in Office
• A subscription notice appears when I open a Microsoft 365 application
• What's the difference between a Microsoft 365 subscription and free web apps
• No license associated with my email account - Microsoft Q&A
• I am unable to open and create documents - Microsoft Q&A