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malkiya03
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Apps require update on laptop, but software update shows current

hi, so my sister had this laptop before me whatever she passed it down to me. I was using it while she had this laptop.. and she was able to use all the apps that she wanted and had no restrictions!! I was using it mainly for work for e.g.. I needed to use office 365 and I was able to while the laptop was hers. however, ever since I've logged into it I cannot access or download those apps and its saying the main reasons its because it needs to be updated to the recent whatever. Right so I go and check my software update and its saying its all been updated and that it last checked for an update near a recent amount of time.. I need this sorted ASAP because I need to get my work done. THANK YOU!


Posted on Nov 9, 2026 3:46 PM

2 replies

Ingo2711
User level: Level 10 (93,009 points)

Nov 10, 2026 12:07 AM in response to malkiya03

If your MacBook Air is the A1466, model year between June 2017 and July 2019, it can only be updated to the latest version of macOS 12.

Microsoft states, that only the latest three macOS versions will support Office 365 for Mac, which seems to be the reason for your issue.


...

One of the three most recent versions of macOS. When a new version of macOS is released, the macOS requirement becomes one of the then-current three most recent versions: the new version of macOS and the previous two versions

...

copied from: System requirements for Microsoft 365 - Microsoft Support page

HWTech
User level: Level 9 (78,350 points)

Nov 10, 2026 1:53 PM in response to malkiya03

You may be able to utilize the third party software LibreOffice which is similar to MS Office. For simpler documents this should be fine especially if people are careful with their formatting of documents.


Microsoft does offer online access to their office suite by using a web browser (need a MS account). Basic functionality is fine, but it is not quite the same as the full stand alone apps. This should work as long as you are using a third party web browser which is up to date. Firefox seems to be the best browser as they tend to support older versions of macOS the longest. Most Chromium based browsers will only support about the 5 previous versions of macOS.....I think Chromium based browsers just recently stopped supporting macOS 12.x Monterey....so macOS 13.x Ventura is the oldest macOS for Chromium based browsers.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256391625