Microsoft to block Office 2019 edits on Apple devices next month
Starting next month, Microsoft Office 2019 users on Apple devices will find themselves unable to edit documents. The change stems from how the software’s certificates are managed on iOS and macOS. Microsoft has confirmed that Office 2021 and Microsoft 365 users will receive an update to avoid the same issue, but Office 2019 users are left without recourse.
A certificate-driven cutoff
The lockout is tied to the expiration of certain certificates that authenticate Office 2019 on Apple platforms. Once those certificates are no longer valid, the apps will shift into a read-only mode. Microsoft has not provided a workaround or patch for Office 2019, signaling that the cutoff is intentional rather than temporary.
What users can do
Anyone still relying on Office 2019 on a Mac or iPhone will need to decide quickly. One option is to switch to a newer version of Office, where editing functionality remains intact thanks to updated certificates. Alternatively, users can export documents to other formats or platforms where editing is still possible. However, those sticking with Office 2019 will face increasing limitations as time goes on.
Source: XDA Developers. AI-assisted editorial synthesis — TechnoExpress.