cannot restore the microsoft 365

liang dong 40 Reputation points
2026-09-03T19:27:24.1566667+00:00

I have used Microsoft 365 for many years, and just renewed it severaly days ago. However, my software suddenly shows that I need to sign in to activate my subscripiton. I tried to logged in but, it keeps showing that no purchase to resotre.

Updated my IOS and Microsoft versions, but still the same problem. What is wrong here?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | Other | iOS
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Answer accepted by question author
John Jefferson Doyon 86,980 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-09-03T20:02:52.58+00:00

Hi, @liang dong

Please first double-check that you are signing in with the same Microsoft account that has the Microsoft 365 subscription.

You can also check if the subscription is active here: https://account.microsoft.com/services

If the subscription shows as active, try uninstalling all Microsoft Office apps from your iPhone or iPad, restart the device, then reinstall the apps from the App Store and sign in again with the same Microsoft account.


If the issue still persists, to help narrow it down:

  1. Does Microsoft 365 show as active on the Services page?
  2. Are you sure you are signing in with the same Microsoft account used for the subscription?
  3. Which Office app is showing the activation message?

Click "Add comment" to let me know.

Thanks!

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Answer accepted by question author

AI answer

2026-09-03T19:27:42.0733333+00:00

If Microsoft 365 was renewed recently and the iOS app says there is no purchase to restore, the most likely causes are either the wrong account is signed in, or the app-store purchase has not been re-linked inside the app yet.

Try this in order:

  1. Confirm the subscription is active Sign in to the Microsoft account Services & subscriptions page using the same account used to renew. Check whether the subscription shows as renewed and whether it shows a renewal or expiry date.
  2. Sign in with the correct account In the Microsoft 365 app, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or OneNote on iOS, make sure the sign-in uses the Microsoft account associated with the subscription. If there are multiple personal, work, or school accounts, try the one that owns the subscription.
  3. Restore the previous purchase from the app used to buy it If the subscription was purchased through the App Store on the device:
    • Sign out of the Microsoft 365 app through which the in-app purchase was made.
    • Close the app.
    • Reopen it.
    • Tap Restore previous purchase at the bottom of the Get started with Microsoft 365 window.
  4. Check which app was used for the purchase In the App Store subscriptions list, look under Active Subscriptions for a subscription starting with Microsoft 365. The app icon there shows which Microsoft app was originally used to make the purchase. Restore the purchase from that same app.
  5. If the renewal warning still appears after renewal Close all Microsoft 365 apps and open them again. Then sign in again with the Microsoft account associated with the subscription.
  6. If sign-in still fails on mobile apps Verify the username and password in a browser first. If the account cannot sign in there either, use the Microsoft sign-in helper.

If the purchase was made through Apple and Restore previous purchase still fails after these steps, Apple needs to handle the in-app purchase billing side.


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