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Office 2024 with Apple Silicon chip and MacOS 28

Susan H 20 Reputation points
2026-05-26T13:35:39.1833333+00:00

Hello,

Apple has stated that MacOS 28 will no longer support Rosetta, which is necessary for Intel-based applications to run on MacOS.

I currently have Office 2016, which is an Intel-based application on MacOS. Looking at purchasing Office 2024, it looks like we would just remove the license for 2016 and add a new license for 2024 without installing anything new. Does that mean that my Office 2024 would ALSO be an Intel-based app (since I don't install a new one) and would therefore ALSO stop working with MacOS 28 when Rosetta is removed? If so, is an Office 365 subscription my only option? Or is there a way to get Office 2024 and have the applications on my Mac be either Universal or Apple Silicon?

Thanks,

Susan H

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | For home | MacOS
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Answer accepted by question author

DaveM121 882.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-05-26T14:13:21.2933333+00:00

The modern versions of the Office applications (such as Microsoft 365 and Office 2024) run natively on modern Apple Silicon Macs and they do not require Rosetta, so when Apple make that change, you do not need to worry, the Office 2024 apps will continue to work correctly.

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  1. AI answer

    2026-05-26T13:36:17.5266667+00:00

    Office 2016 for Mac is an older, Intel-only release and is already out of support. Office 2024 for Mac and Microsoft 365 for Mac, by contrast, are delivered as Universal binaries that include native Apple silicon code as well as Intel code.

    Key points for the scenario described:

    1. Office 2016 vs Office 2024 binaries
      • Office 2016 for Mac is not part of the current Universal 2 packaging and was designed for Intel Macs.
      • Current Office for Mac (including Office 2024 and Microsoft 365 for Mac) is provided as a Universal macOS binary that contains both Apple silicon and Intel components. macOS automatically loads the optimal (native) Apple silicon code path on Apple silicon devices.
      • Therefore, when Office 2024 is installed, the apps on an Apple silicon Mac are not Rosetta-only; they run natively on Apple silicon.
    2. Installing Office 2024 vs just changing a license
      • For Office 2016 → Office 2024, the documented guidance is to remove the old Office 2016 license and then sign in with the account associated with the new Office (Microsoft 365 or a newer perpetual license). The apps themselves can remain installed in that specific Office 2016 → Microsoft 365/2019 scenario.
      • However, Office 2016 is a different product generation from Office 2024. Office 2024 for Mac has its own installation packages and system requirements. To get the Universal (Apple silicon–native) binaries, Office 2024 must be installed from the current Office for Mac installer (or via the Mac App Store for Microsoft 365). Simply reusing an old Office 2016 app bundle would not convert it into an Office 2024 Universal app.
    3. Apple silicon and Rosetta
      • Current Office for Mac releases (Microsoft 365, Office 2021, Office 2019, and Office 2024) already provide native support for Apple silicon and Intel-based Macs. They are supplied as Universal binaries, and macOS chooses the native Apple silicon components on Apple silicon devices.
      • Because of this, Office 2024 for Mac does not depend on Rosetta to run on Apple silicon. If a future macOS version removes Rosetta, the native Apple silicon portion of the Universal Office apps continues to run.
    4. Is Microsoft 365 the only option?
      • No. Office 2024 for Mac is available as a one-time purchase (perpetual) product and, like Microsoft 365 for Mac, is supported on the three most recent versions of macOS and runs natively on Apple silicon.
      • Both Microsoft 365 for Mac and Office 2024 for Mac share the same Universal 2 packaging and chipset support model.
    5. What to do in practice
      • Ensure the Mac is running a supported macOS version (Office for Mac supports the three most recent major versions of macOS; Office 2024 for Mac specifically follows this policy).
      • Purchase and install Office 2024 for Mac (or Microsoft 365 for Mac) using the current installer or the Mac App Store, so that the Universal binaries are installed.
      • Remove the Office 2016 license using the License Removal Tool if Office 2016 was previously activated, then sign in with the account associated with Office 2024.

    With this setup, Office 2024 for Mac on an Apple silicon Mac will be a Universal (Apple silicon–native) app and will not rely on Rosetta, so it is not expected to stop working solely because Rosetta is removed in a future macOS release.

    References:

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