Do I need my Microsoft subscription after switching to a MacBook?

Hi,

Whether you need your Microsoft subscription depends on whether you require native desktop apps like Word and Excel, or if you are willing to use free alternatives. Your existing Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription already works on macOS, so you do not need to buy a new license.

When You Still Need It

• Heavy file compatibility: You regularly share complex Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files with Windows users and cannot afford layout or formatting shifts.
• Advanced app features: You rely heavily on desktop-only tools, macros, or 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage included in your plan.
• Existing coverage: You already pay for Microsoft 365, which allows installation on up to 5 concurrent devices, including Macs.

When You Can Cancel It

• Free Apple apps: You can use Apple's built-in productivity suite—Pages (Word alternative), Numbers(Excel alternative), and Keynote (PowerPoint alternative)—which are completely free and open Microsoft files.
• Web-based Office: You can use the free web-browser versions of Microsoft Office via a free Microsoft account.
• Google Workspace: You prefer using free cloud tools like Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides

Apple's free versions of Pages and Numbers (plus others) will open the Microsoft files, but can only save in their own versions. You may find that some functions and commands are different.

“Do I need my Microsoft subscription after switching to a MacBook?”

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Transferring a MS Office Subscription:

If you own this license, then it is YOURS. So, go to your Microsoft Account, and contact Microsoft via chat. Request a new key.

Go Through Microsoft:

You’d deactivate this device, and would then perform the transfer. You can only do this once every “90 days”, according to Microsoft. There are discrepancies, depending on your location. See here: Transfer your Office license to another device or another person - Microsoft Help

It depends on whether you still use Microsoft Office or other services they provide; Apple supplies Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and other alternatives exist.

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