Microsoft has never made Access for Mac, so a Mac on its own can't open Access databases, forms or reports. CrossDriver App runs the Windows version of Access, or Microsoft's free Access Runtime, directly on your Mac.
Every Pro feature is free during the preview, until December 31, 2026
Microsoft Access on a Mac today
Office for Mac includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, but not Access, and there are no plans for one. Until now the choice was a Windows PC, a virtual machine with a Windows license, or a remote desktop.
What you get with the Windows version
Open .accdb, .accde and .mdb databases with their forms, reports and queries
VBA modules and startup forms
Data access through ACE OLE DB, the Access ODBC driver, ADO and DAO (verified in our tests)
The free Access Runtime for databases you only need to use, not design
Versions with a ready-made setup
Pick one in the Setup Center of CrossDriver App. It creates its own environment, installs the components the app needs and runs the official installer; you bring the installer and your license.
Microsoft 365 Access Runtime Experimental
Microsoft 365 Access Runtime, Current Channel (Click-to-Run, x64)
Install Microsoft's free Access Runtime (Current Channel) offline with the Office Deployment Tool, to run Access database applications.
What you need Access Runtime is free from Microsoft and needs no product key. CrossDriver does not activate Office.
Good to know
Databases outside a trusted location open with a security notice and their macros and VBA stay disabled; put them in a folder you add to Access's trusted locations.
The runtime has no design view: it runs existing .accdb / .accde / .mdb applications only.
Microsoft Access Runtime 2016 Experimental
2016 Runtime
Run Access databases (.accdb/.mdb) without full Access. Silent install from Microsoft's free runtime package.
What you need Microsoft runtime license terms apply
Good to know
Verified: ACE OLE DB 16.0, the Access ODBC driver (directly and through ADO), DAO 12 and a startup form with VBA (32-bit).
Opening a database from a non-trusted location shows Microsoft Access's security notice; choose Open.
Microsoft Office 2016 (retail key) Experimental
Office 2016 retail, Click-to-Run Version 2002 (16.0.12527.22286, x64)
Download Office 2016 from Microsoft and activate it with your own Office 2016 retail product key (Home & Student, Home & Business, Professional and others).
What you need Bring your own Office 2016 retail product key. You enter it in Office and Office activates online with Microsoft; CrossDriver never activates or bypasses activation.
Good to know
Office 2016 activates through Office's own licensing service (OSPP), which runs on Windows 7; that is why this container reports Windows 7. Office 2019, 2021 and 2024 keys can't be used here.
On first launch Office asks for your product key. If the key is for a different edition (for example Home & Student), Office downloads that edition from Microsoft and restarts; keep the Mac online.
Updates stay off: this is the last Office build Microsoft still serves for Windows 7.
PowerPoint needs Office's own riched20.dll; the compatibility layer already sets this for POWERPNT.EXE.
If an app failed to start once, the next start asks about safe mode; answer No.
.NET Framework 4.8 and the IE11 engine are downloaded from Microsoft and generated on this Mac; you confirm Microsoft's license terms once for each.
Only Microsoft's own setup program is run. Don't use third-party activation tools that come with downloaded packages: CrossDriver supports only Microsoft's own activation.
Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2016 (volume license) Experimental
2016 Professional Plus, volume license MSI (16.0.4266.1001, x64)
Install Office Professional Plus 2016 from your organization's volume license (VLSC) media and activate it with your MAK or KMS.
What you need Bring your organization's volume license. You enter the MAK in Office (or Office finds your KMS host) and Office activates with Microsoft or your KMS; CrossDriver never activates or bypasses activation.
Good to know
Office 2016 activates through Office's own licensing service (OSPP), which runs on Windows 7; that is why this container reports Windows 7.
MAK: open any app, File > Account > Change Product Key, enter your MAK, then let Office activate online.
PowerPoint needs Office's own riched20.dll; the compatibility layer already sets this for POWERPNT.EXE.
If an app failed to start once, the next start asks about safe mode; answer No.
.NET Framework 4.8 and the IE11 engine are downloaded from Microsoft and generated on this Mac; you confirm Microsoft's license terms once for each.
Only Microsoft's own setup program is run. Don't use third-party activation tools that come with downloaded packages: CrossDriver supports only Microsoft's own activation.
Microsoft Access LTSC 2021 Experimental
LTSC 2021 volume (Click-to-Run, x64, zh-CN media)
Install only Access from your own Office LTSC 2021 volume media, offline, with the Office Deployment Tool.
Installs, but cannot be activated: read-only use
Office 2019, 2021 and 2024 can only be activated through Windows' own licensing service (SPP), which CrossDriver cannot provide. After installing, Office keeps showing "Unlicensed Product" and runs in reduced functionality mode: you can open, view and print documents, but not create or edit them. CrossDriver does not provide or support any third-party activation tool.
Alternatives
Only need to run existing Access databases: the free "Microsoft 365 Access Runtime" plan
Have an Office 2016 volume license (MAK/KMS): the "Professional Plus 2016 (volume license)" plan
What you need Bring your own license. CrossDriver never activates Office for you.
Good to know
Access opens in reduced functionality mode: it can't create or edit databases ("the application has been disabled"). Office 2021 checks its license through a Windows licensing service that CrossDriver can't provide, and activation doesn't work either. To run existing Access databases, use the free Microsoft Access Runtime recipe instead. COM automation (scripts / VBA from other apps) still works.
On first launch Office shows Microsoft's privacy notice; click Next once.
If Access failed to start once, the next start asks about safe mode; answer No.
Pick the media folder itself, not the Setup.exe in its root (that one is a third-party tool and is never run).
The labels are the ones the App shows. Experimental: works in our tests but not yet verified end to end on every Mac. Known issues: works, with the limits listed.
How to run Microsoft Access on your Mac
Download CrossDriver AppDrag it into Applications like any other Mac app. The preview includes every Pro feature for free, and the free edition needs no account.
Drag in the installerOr pick an app in the Setup Center. CrossDriver App gets the runtimes, fonts and settings it needs ready for you.
Open it like a Mac appDouble-click and go. Add it to Applications, and from then on open it from Launchpad or Spotlight.
Questions about Microsoft Access on a Mac
Is there Microsoft Access for Mac?
No. Microsoft has never released Access for Mac. CrossDriver App runs the Windows version of Access, or Microsoft's free Access Runtime, on your Mac instead.
Can I open .accdb or .mdb files on a Mac?
Yes, with Access running in CrossDriver App: databases open with their tables, forms, reports and VBA, just as on a PC.
I only need to run a database someone built for me. What do I need?
Microsoft's free Access Runtime is enough: it runs existing databases but has no design view. The setup downloads it from Microsoft; no product key is needed.
Can I design tables and forms too?
Yes, with full Access from Office 2016 (Professional or Professional Plus), which activates with your own key. Access 2021 and 2024 install but can't be activated on CrossDriver, so they open databases read-only.
Why are macros disabled when I open a database?
That's Access's own security: databases outside a trusted location open with macros and VBA turned off. Add the folder to Access's trusted locations and open the database again.
Try Microsoft Access on your Mac
Every Pro feature is free during the preview, until December 31, 2026
