# Does Microsoft Word 2016 work on macOS 28?

> **Short answer: this version will stop working.** Microsoft Word 2016 is Intel-only, so it won’t open on Apple silicon Macs from macOS 28. A newer version runs natively (16.44+). If you’d rather keep the version you own, Keep86 is built for that, but we haven’t tested this app yet.

## Key facts

- Architecture: Intel-only (checked October 4, 2026)
- Native Apple silicon version: Available (https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/mac)
- Keep86 status: Not tested yet
- Last verified: 2026-10-04

## Questions about Microsoft Word 2016

### Does Microsoft Word 2016 work on Apple silicon?

Only through Rosetta 2. The version listed here is Intel-only; a newer version (16.44+) runs natively on Apple silicon.

### Does Microsoft Word 2016 need Rosetta 2?

This version does: on an Apple silicon Mac it runs through Rosetta 2, which Apple supports in full until macOS 27. The newer native version doesn’t need it.

### How can I keep using Microsoft Word 2016 after macOS 28?

Update to the native version, keep this Mac on macOS 27, or keep the version you own in a macOS 27 virtual machine — Keep86 does that and shows its windows on your desktop.

## Sources

- Keep86 app compatibility list: Word 2016 (16.16) is Intel-only; needs your own licence (2026-10-05)
- In Keep86’s 20-app test plan; result pending until the Apple silicon test days (2026-10-05)

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Architecture data partly from Homebrew (formulae.brew.sh), used under the BSD 2-Clause licence.
Source: https://keep86.com/apps/microsoft-word-2016