MS Office 365 Subscription Change

[jasnw]

Just downloaded Office 365 from the App Store and I'm trying to figure out how to change the subscription from annual to monthly (Personal subscription). It's on the free month right now, and I selected the annual option during setup because no monthly option was presented (I didn't see it if one was). According to MS I need to make subscription changes through the App Store, but all I see there is the option to cancel the subscription. Anyone figured this out yet?

 

[chabig]

I think you should cancel the annual subscription and resubscribe monthly. It makes sense that the App Store doesn't present a monthly subscription option to you while you're already subscribed.

 

[jasnw]

That was my thought, but before possibly completely trashing my Office installation and having to do it all over again I thought I'd ask around. If this were via a direct connection to Microsoft's support system I probably would have done what you suggest (and may still try it), but given that this is via a connection to the App Store that then must talk correctly to MS I'm a bit leery of things going sideways.

 

[chabig]

If you want direct access to Microsoft Support just do a web search. You'll find it. Your question, though, sounds like a Mac App Store subscription question. I would expect to see that in the App Store under your account (bottom of the left column), then click View Information (top right), and finally find the subscription management options at the bottom.

This doesn't relate specifically to your question but I just switched an existing Office installation from the Microsoft downloaded install to an App Store install. It's the same Office 365 account. Here is what I did:

1. Opened Microsoft Word and signed out from my Office account (third item down under the Word menu).

2. I followed Microsoft's instructions for uninstalling office: Uninstall Office for Mac - Office Support

This involved:
a. Deleting the office apps from the Application folder
b. Deleting all Microsoft related files from the system Library folder and user Library folder​

3. Reinstalled the apps from the App Store.

4. Upon launching each app for the first time, I...

a. Granted access to the Mac keychain (Always allow)
b. Signed in with my Office 365 credentials
c. Denied access to my Contacts​

 

[coolbreeze2]

How much is the annual subscription and the monthly subscription? Can you buy without a subscription and how much?

 

[posguy99]

Just downloaded Office 365 from the App Store and I'm trying to figure out how to change the subscription from annual to monthly (Personal subscription).

What am I missing? Isn't the annual cheaper? And why in the world would you want to get it through the MAS if you didn't have to?

 

[chabig]

And why in the world would you want to get it through the MAS if you didn't have to?

I look at it the opposite way. The MAS is secure, and it keeps the software automatically updated. I no longer have to have an additional update daemon running from Microsoft to keep the apps current. Why wouldn’t I prefer to install the apps from the App Store?

Keep in mind, I said “install”. The apps are free. My Office 365 subscription is from Microsoft, not Apple. Users can choose to license through t MAS or directly from MS. The apps, however, are the same. I just think maintaining tha apps is more convenient through the MAS.

 

[coolbreeze2]

How much is the annual subscription and the monthly subscription? Can you buy without a subscription and how much?

Ok I found my answer:

Pricing
The most significant difference by far is pricing and payment model. Microsoft Office 2016 is a one-time payment, while Office 365 is a monthly subscription model.

• Office 2016 Home & Student: $149.99 and doesn't come with updates.
• Office 2016 Home & Business: $229.99 and doesn't come with updates.
• Office 365 Personal: $69.99 per year (or $6.99 per month), includes updates.
• Office 365 Home: $99.99 per year (or 9.99 per month), includes updates.

 

[BrianBaughn]

Ok I found my answer:

Pricing
The most significant difference by far is pricing and payment model. Microsoft Office 2016 is a one-time payment, while Office 365 is a monthly subscription model.

• Office 2016 Home & Student: $149.99 and doesn't come with updates.
• Office 2016 Home & Business: $229.99 and doesn't come with updates.
• Office 365 Personal: $69.99 per year (or $6.99 per month), includes updates.
• Office 365 Home: $99.99 per year (or 9.99 per month), includes updates.

That's not exactly an accurate description. With the first two, you'd get "updates" until they quit supporting 2016. With the second two, you'd get updates as well as upgrades to new, major version changes (Office 2019 is next, I think) as long as you pay.

In addition, there are differences in the number of computers on which the apps can be installed.

 

[motm95]

As much as I can't stand software subscriptions, for my family, Office 365 Home is the one exception. Me, my wife, and our kids can each install it on our respective computers, phones, tablets etc. without having to purchase it separately. Also includes 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage for each person. You can also purchase each year's subscription at a discounted rate (usually $79/yr or $89/yr) by purchasing a Microsoft key/activation card for Office 365 Home off Amazon.

 

[jasnw]

What am I missing? Isn't the annual cheaper? And why in the world would you want to get it through the MAS if you didn't have to?

Yes, the annual is cheaper if you plan to use it long enough. I want to go the monthly route because it fits my present need for just a few months access to Office on a single Mojave system. I may want to buy into an annual subscription later, but only when I need it on multiple computers. The earliest that will happen is whenever Apple starts selling upgraded iMac systems.

 

[jasnw]

I just went into iTunes and cancelled the annual subscription. That worked, but the only option presented if I want to renew is the annual single-user $69.99 option, which is the one I cancelled. Well, at least I have a month of free use before I have to get this figured out.

 

[chrfr]

I just went into iTunes and cancelled the annual subscription. That worked, but the only option presented if I want to renew is the annual single-user $69.99 option, which is the one I cancelled. Well, at least I have a month of free use before I have to get this figured out.

I think the monthly options were removed when Office 365 for Mac was put into the App Store. That only shows the 3 annual options.

 

[jasnw]

Interesting. If that is the case I guess I'll need to buy the subscription through MS rather than the App Store.

 

[coolbreeze2]

That's not exactly an accurate description. With the first two, you'd get "updates" until they quit supporting 2016. With the second two, you'd get updates as well as upgrades to new, major version changes (Office 2019 is next, I think) as long as you pay.

In addition, there are differences in the number of computers on which the apps can be installed.

Ok thanks!!

 

[hipnetic]

Sorry for hijacking this thread, but I'm hoping someone can help me out...

I downloaded Office 365 from the Apple App Store about 3 weeks ago and am currently under their "free month trial". A few days later, I found a deal on a deal website for a discounted 1-year subscription to Office 365 Home (same version I'm under the trial for). I purchased that and received a box in the mail with the key code for that, but haven't opened the box. It later occurred to me that if I log into the Microsoft site and enter my key code (assuming it will even let me), that this info might not flow down to Apple properly, and Apple might bill me for a year's subscription when my monthly trial ends.

I'm thinking that the safest course of action is probably to cancel my subscription through Apple and then go to the Microsoft site to make use of my key code. As with the OP, I originally thought it would be a good idea to get it through the App Store so as to let Apple handle the auto-updates. I'm guessing that there may not be a way to have my subscription managed through Apple while still being able to take advantage of discounted annual subscription offers.

Anyone have any experience/thoughts on this?

 

[chrfr]

Sorry for hijacking this thread, but I'm hoping someone can help me out...

I downloaded Office 365 from the Apple App Store about 3 weeks ago and am currently under their "free month trial". A few days later, I found a deal on a deal website for a discounted 1-year subscription to Office 365 Home (same version I'm under the trial for). I purchased that and received a box in the mail with the key code for that, but haven't opened the box. It later occurred to me that if I log into the Microsoft site and enter my key code (assuming it will even let me), that this info might not flow down to Apple properly, and Apple might bill me for a year's subscription when my monthly trial ends.

I'm thinking that the safest course of action is probably to cancel my subscription through Apple and then go to the Microsoft site to make use of my key code. As with the OP, I originally thought it would be a good idea to get it through the App Store so as to let Apple handle the auto-updates. I'm guessing that there may not be a way to have my subscription managed through Apple while still being able to take advantage of discounted annual subscription offers.

Anyone have any experience/thoughts on this?

You need to cancel the App Store subscription or you’ll be charged for it at the end of the free month. The key code subscription is totally separate from subscriptions through Apple.
Be sure you back up any documents you have saved in OneDrive as you may lose them in the transition from one account to the other.

 

[Gregg2]

Regarding subscriptions, cable TV was $5 per month in my hometown when it was first introduced. Just sayin'...

 

[FelicityW]

This whole thing is the typical CF proving that this was only partially thought through—at least as far as the user goes. The fact is the AS subscription is only for annual subscribers.

1. I had a MS 365 Personal Subscription through MS.
2. I though updating through the App Store would be a benefit over the MS update system.
3. I saw the offer for one month free (which is relative since I have spent way more than $7 sorting the mess created).
4. Canceled my MS Subscription and proceeded to wait until the 23rd for it to end.
5. Uninstalled all the MS-sub Office apps.
6. Installed the AS Office apps.
7. Noticed that the option after "free" was for an annual subscription. Don't want that. I have had MS through work, school, other avenues, too many times to subscribe for a year.
8. Uninstalled AS Office apps.
9. Went to renew MS-sub Office Subscription and noticed that I was charged for it on the 22nd as if I had never cancelled it.
10. Installed MS-sub Office apps. Apps don't work, says I need to renew.
11. Called MS. They said that the cancellation went through after the renewal was paid??? so the rep refunded and then renewed.
12. Apps still don't work. CSR says license information probably wasn't deleted with the AS uninstalls. Since I already missed the deadline for what I needed the app for today, I hung up.
13. It is such a CF, MS even has this written: https://support.office.com/en-us/ar...on-a-mac-b032c0f6-a431-4dad-83a9-6b727c03b193
14. If Apple just put "Annual Subscriptions Only" on the AS page, this could be avoided.

Sorry for hijacking this thread, but I'm hoping someone can help me out...

I downloaded Office 365 from the Apple App Store about 3 weeks ago and am currently under their "free month trial". A few days later, I found a deal on a deal website for a discounted 1-year subscription to Office 365 Home (same version I'm under the trial for). I purchased that and received a box in the mail with the key code for that, but haven't opened the box. It later occurred to me that if I log into the Microsoft site and enter my key code (assuming it will even let me), that this info might not flow down to Apple properly, and Apple might bill me for a year's subscription when my monthly trial ends.

I'm thinking that the safest course of action is probably to cancel my subscription through Apple and then go to the Microsoft site to make use of my key code. As with the OP, I originally thought it would be a good idea to get it through the App Store so as to let Apple handle the auto-updates. I'm guessing that there may not be a way to have my subscription managed through Apple while still being able to take advantage of discounted annual subscription offers.

Anyone have any experience/thoughts on this?

 

[shamelin73]

Also you depending where you work you may be eligible for the Microsoft HUP. Office Home and Business 2019 was only 14.99 for home use