I can't upload the os required for Microsoft 365 on my 2017 MacBook Pro

Question

I can't upload the os required for Microsoft 365 on my 2017 MacBook Pro

Alfred Saldivar 0

I purchased the Microsoft 365 for family but business and pro is downloading. It's the wrong package.

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3 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Bruce (SqlWork.com) 85,456

Sorry, your computer does not support office. To run office, even older versions, you need MacOs Sonora or later, but your computer does not support updating to Sonora.

Alfred Saldivar 0 Reputation points

2026-09-29T03:50:03+00:00

That’s unfortunate.

Answer 2

Estrella721 46,135 Independent Advisor

Before installing Microsoft 365 Family, was a Business or Pro version previously activated on your device? If so, there might be a conflict with the previous version.

Sign in to the Microsoft account you used to purchase Microsoft 365 Family. Does it show the correct version and indicate that it is active?

Did you purchase Microsoft 365 from Microsoft or the Apple Store?

Alfred Saldivar 0 Reputation points

2026-09-29T03:48:53.5033333+00:00

The purchase was from the Microsoft store. I didn’t initially notice that business pro was downloaded instead of family, and I tried to install it, but it wouldn’t install. The pop up said I needed os 14 Sonora . I now see that I can’t deploy os 14 Sonoma on my 2017 MacBook Pro.
Estrella721 46,135 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-29T03:53:43.7333333+00:00

Thanks for the reply. There was an update to Microsoft 365 and Office for macOS starting July 13, 2026: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/lifecycle/officeinstall/update-m365-office-macos

Make sure your Mac is updated and running macOS 12 or later. Unfortunately, if it cannot be updated beyond macOS 12, your options are to use Office for free on the web: https://www.microsoft365.com/

Alternatively, you can use your Microsoft 365 subscription on a supported device.
Alfred Saldivar 0 Reputation points

2026-09-29T05:45:58.88+00:00

I’m at os 13, so I’m hopeful
Estrella721 46,135 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-29T05:47:05.5266667+00:00

If you're using macOS Ventura (13), please note that Microsoft only supports Office up to version 16.101 on this version of macOS. Any newer Office release requires macOS Sonoma (14) or later.

If your Mac cannot be upgraded beyond Ventura, uninstall your current Office apps and install Office version 16.101, which is the last compatible version for macOS Ventura.

https://officecdn.microsoft.com/pr/C1297A47-86C4-4C1F-97FA-950631F94777/MacAutoupdate/Microsoft_365_and_Office_16.101.25091314_Installer.pkg

Answer 3

For Microsoft 365 Family, the install should be the consumer Microsoft 365 apps package, not a business license package. On a Mac, this usually happens when the wrong account or wrong license is being used during install or activation.

Try this:

Check which account is signed in for the download.
- For Microsoft 365 Family, sign in with the Microsoft account that owns the Family subscription.
- If a work or school account is being used, business apps or a business license can appear instead.
Download again from Microsoft 365 apps.
- Select Install apps.
- If the download gets stuck or fails, delete the installer by dragging it to Trash, empty Trash, then download again.
- Use Safari for the download.
If Safari still does not download correctly:
- Open Safari > Preferences > Security and make sure Enable Javascript is selected.
- Go to Privacy > Manage Website Data > Remove all.
- Start the download again in Safari.
If Office was activated with the wrong license, remove the existing Office license files and reactivate with the correct Microsoft 365 Family account.
- This is the documented fix when Office for Mac is using the wrong license.
Check macOS support.
- Microsoft 365 or Office will not install unless the Mac is running a supported operating system.
- If the current installer says the OS is unsupported on a 2017 MacBook Pro, install a lower Office for Mac version that matches the Mac’s macOS version. A Microsoft Q&A answer in the context states Ventura 13 can use Office 16.100, and another accepted answer provides a Mac installer for Office 16.101.
If a one-time purchase Mac/PC package was bought by mistake, that can also cause an Unsupported operating system message. That specific issue requires contacting Microsoft support. This does not apply to Microsoft 365 subscriptions.

If the main issue is that the Mac cannot upgrade to a newer macOS, the practical path is to install an older Office for Mac build that matches the current macOS version, then sign in with the Microsoft 365 Family account.

References: