This guide shows you how to download, install and activate Microsoft Office 2021 Home & Business for Mac on an Apple Silicon or Intel Mac. Unlike Windows Office keys, the Mac version uses an account-linked BIND key: you redeem it once to your Microsoft account, then install and activate by signing in. The process takes about 15 minutes. If you need a key, get Office 2021 Home & Business for Mac.
Support note: Microsoft support for Office 2021 ends on October 13, 2026. For support until 2029, see Office 2024 Home & Business.
What You'll Need
- A Mac running one of the three most recent macOS versions (Apple Silicon M1–M4 or Intel)
- At least 4 GB RAM and 10 GB free disk space
- A Microsoft account (free to create)
- Your 25-character BIND key, redeemed within 7 days of purchase
Step 1: Redeem Your Key
- Go to setup.office.com and sign in with your Microsoft account, or create one.
- Enter your 25-character key and confirm your country and language.
- The licence is now permanently linked to that Microsoft account. Use the same account from now on.
Step 2: Download Office for Mac
- Open account.microsoft.com/services and sign in with the same account.
- Find Office Home & Business 2021 and click Install.
- The installer package (.pkg) downloads to your Downloads folder.
Step 3: Install
- Double-click the .pkg file and click Continue through the installer.
- Enter your Mac password when macOS asks for permission.
- Installation takes a few minutes. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote appear in Applications.
Step 4: Activate
- Open Word. The "What's New" screen appears. Click Get Started.
- Click Sign In and use the Microsoft account where you redeemed the key.
- Office detects your licence and activates. Other apps activate automatically.
- To confirm, open Word → About Microsoft Word. It should show a Home & Business 2021 licence.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| "Unlicensed Product" or read-only mode | Sign out (Word → Sign Out), quit all Office apps, and sign in again with the account that holds the licence. |
| "We couldn't find an Office licence" | You signed in with a different account. Check which account you used at setup.office.com. |
| Old Office 2016/2019 licence interfering | Remove old licence files with Microsoft's License Removal Tool for Mac, then sign in again. |
| Key says "already redeemed" | It's linked to the account you first used. Sign in with that account, or contact us. |
| Redemption window missed | Contact our support team with your order number. |
Still stuck? Our support team is available 24/7, and every key we sell is covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee and lifetime replacement warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Office 2021 run natively on Apple Silicon?
Yes. It runs natively on M1–M4 Macs as well as Intel Macs.
Can I move Office to a new Mac?
Yes. Sign in to your Microsoft account on the new Mac, install from account.microsoft.com, and sign out on the old one.
Can I use this key on Windows?
No. This is the Mac edition. For Windows, see Office 2021 Professional Plus.
Conclusion
Redeem at setup.office.com, download from your Microsoft account, install the .pkg, and sign in. That's all it takes to activate Office 2021 Home & Business on your Mac. Need Office for Windows too? See Office 2021 Professional Plus.
Useful Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Office 2021 for Mac key | Buy Office 2021 Home & Business for Mac |
| Newer version | Office 2024 Home & Business |
| Redeem your key (Microsoft) | setup.office.com |
| Download Office (Microsoft) | Microsoft account services |
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