check before: 2026-02-15
Product:
Copilot, Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft 365 suite
Platform:
Mac, mobile, Online, World tenant
Status:
Change type:
Admin impact, Updated message, User impact
Links:
Details:
Summary:
Starting mid-February 2026, the Microsoft 365 apps for Mac suite installer will include a shim for the Microsoft 365 Copilot app, enabling users to download the full Copilot app. Deployment completes by mid-May 2026. Organizations must ensure the shim app is included and meet macOS 14.0+ requirements.
Details:
Updated March 2, 2026: We have updated the timeline and content. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction]
Starting in mid‑February 2026, the Microsoft 365 apps for Mac suite installer a shim for the Microsoft 365 Copilot app. This change helps organizations more easily deploy the Microsoft 365 Copilot Mac app by enabling users to download the full application directly from the shim.
The Microsoft 365 Copilot Mac app brings AI assistance to macOS, helping users search, analyze, and create from a single, secure desktop experience.
[When this will happen]
General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in mid‑February 2026 and is expected to complete by mid-May 2026 (previously mid‑March).
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
Created:
2026-02-11
updated:
2026-03-03
Task Type
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Docu to Check
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MS How does it affect me
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MS Preperations
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MS Urgency
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Pictures
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summary for non-techies**
Starting in mid-February 2026, Microsoft will add a "shim" to the Microsoft 365 apps for Mac installer to facilitate downloading the Microsoft 365 Copilot app, which requires macOS 14.0 or later and internet access, with the rollout completing by mid-May 2026.
Direct effects for Operations**
Deployment Issues
If the shim app is not included during deployment, users will be unable to access the Microsoft 365 Copilot app, leading to a lack of AI assistance in their workflows.
- roles: IT Administrator, End User
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365-apps/mac/deployment-guide-for-office-for-mac
System Requirements
Failure to ensure devices meet the macOS 14.0+ requirement may result in installation failures, preventing users from utilizing the new features of Microsoft 365 Copilot.
- roles: IT Administrator, End User
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365-apps/mac/preferences-office
Configutation Options**
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explanation for non-techies**
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** AI generated content. This information must be reviewed before use.
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change history
| Date | Property | old | new |
| 2026-03-03 | MC prepare | If your organization deploys Microsoft 365 apps for Mac using the suite installer package:
Ensure the Microsoft 365 Copilot shim app is not excluded during deployment. Confirm that Microsoft AutoUpdate (MAU) is enabled on macOS devices. Confirm that devices meet the minimum requirement of macOS 14.0 (Sonoma) or later. Ensure network connectivity is available so the shim app can download the full app. This guidance is applicable for all users, not specifically those who want to deploy the shim app separately. Review: Deployment guide for Office for Mac | Microsoft 365 | Microsoft Learn. [Compliance considerations] No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization. https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365-apps/mac/deployment-guide-for-office-for-mac | If your organization deploys Microsoft 365 apps for Mac using the suite installer package:
Ensure the Microsoft 365 Copilot shim app is not excluded during deployment. Ensure that your organization does not use managed Microsoft AutoUpdate (MAU) configurations. Confirm that Microsoft AutoUpdate (MAU) is enabled on macOS devices. Confirm that devices meet the minimum requirement of macOS 14.0 (Sonoma) or later. Ensure network connectivity is available so the shim app can download the full app. This guidance is applicable for all users, not specifically those who want to deploy the shim app separately. Review: Deployment guide for Office for Mac | Microsoft 365 | Microsoft Learn. How can you exclude the shim app from suite installer package during deployment Method 1 - While downloading the suite installer package 1. Click on customize on the installation type page. 2. Uncheck Microsoft 365 Copilot to remove the shim app Method 2 - While using Configuration Profile or Mobile Device Management (MDM) Apply the following preferences - Category Details Domain com.microsoft.m365copilot Key InstallCopilot Data Type Boolean Possible values true (default) false Availability 16.106 Comments This preference must be implemented through a Configuration Profile/MDM to be effective. It doesn't work when using the defaults command. More context - Set suite-wide preferences for Office for Mac - Microsoft 365 Apps | Microsoft Learn [Compliance considerations] No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization. https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365-apps/mac/deployment-guide-for-office-for-mac https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365-apps/mac/preferences-office |
| 2026-03-03 | MC MessageTagNames | User impact, Admin impact | Updated message, User impact, Admin impact |
| 2026-03-03 | MC Summary | Starting mid-February 2026, the Microsoft 365 apps for Mac suite installer will include a shim for the Microsoft 365 Copilot app, enabling users to download the full Copilot app easily. Existing installations remain unaffected; organizations must ensure deployment includes the shim and meets macOS 14.0 requirements. | Starting mid-February 2026, the Microsoft 365 apps for Mac suite installer will include a shim for the Microsoft 365 Copilot app, enabling users to download the full Copilot app. Deployment completes by mid-May 2026. Organizations must ensure the shim app is included and meet macOS 14.0+ requirements. |
| 2026-03-03 | MC Last Updated | 02/23/2026 19:15:04 | 2026-03-02T18:31:49Z |
| 2026-03-03 | MC Messages | [Introduction]
Starting in mid‑February 2026, the Microsoft 365 apps for Mac suite installer will include a shim for the Microsoft 365 Copilot app. This change helps organizations more easily deploy the Microsoft 365 Copilot Mac app by enabling users to download the full application directly from the shim. The Microsoft 365 Copilot Mac app brings AI assistance to macOS, helping users search, analyze, and create from a single, secure desktop experience. [When this will happen] General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in mid‑February 2026 and is expected to complete by mid‑March 2026. | Updated March 2, 2026: We have updated the timeline and content. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction] Starting in mid‑February 2026, the Microsoft 365 apps for Mac suite installer a shim for the Microsoft 365 Copilot app. This change helps organizations more easily deploy the Microsoft 365 Copilot Mac app by enabling users to download the full application directly from the shim. The Microsoft 365 Copilot Mac app brings AI assistance to macOS, helping users search, analyze, and create from a single, secure desktop experience. [When this will happen] General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in mid‑February 2026 and is expected to complete by mid-May 2026 (previously mid‑March). |
| 2026-03-03 | MC Title | Microsoft 365 apps for Mac suite installer now includes the Microsoft 365 Copilot app | (Updated) Microsoft 365 apps for Mac suite installer now includes the Microsoft 365 Copilot app |
| 2026-03-03 | MC End Time | 04/15/2026 09:00:00 | 2026-06-29T09:00:00Z |
| 2026-02-24 | MC Last Updated | 02/18/2026 18:08:05 | 2026-02-23T19:15:04Z |
| 2026-02-19 | MC Last Updated | 02/11/2026 00:06:26 | 2026-02-18T18:08:05Z |
Last updated 2 weeks ago ago
