After upgrading to macOS Tahoe (macOS 26), some Mac users discovered that they can no longer open WPS files—those old Microsoft Works documents or files created with WPS Office.
That’s because macOS Tahoe no longer includes some of the older frameworks and QuickLook plug-ins that used to handle legacy formats. The good news: you can still open or convert WPS files with a few simple steps.
Why WPS Files Fail to Open After macOS Tahoe?
Here are the most common reasons:
- Dropped legacy support: Tahoe removed older libraries that some WPS viewers relied on.
- App compatibility issues: older versions of WPS Office or third-party WPS viewers may not run on macOS 26.
- File association reset: macOS updates sometimes reset which app opens which file type.
- Corrupted caches or permissions: leftover files from previous macOS versions may block access.
Step 1: Update or Install a Compatible App
Before trying anything else:
- Open the Mac App Store → Updates to install the latest version of WPS Office for Mac (or any other document editor you use).
- If you relied on an older standalone WPS viewer, uninstall it and download the current build from the official WPS Office site that’s optimized for macOS 26.
Keeping the app up to date often restores compatibility right away.
Step 2: Best Apps to Open WPS Files on macOS Tahoe
A. LibreOffice (Free & Reliable)
Most Useful- How to Open a WPS File on Mac – Quick & Easy Methods
- Download the latest LibreOffice (compatible with macOS 13+ and Tahoe) from libreoffice.org.
- Drag your .wps file into LibreOffice Writer.
- Once opened, choose File → Save As → DOCX or PDF to convert it into a modern, shareable format.
LibreOffice is free, offline, and supports most older Microsoft Works/WPS formats.
B. WPS Office for Mac
- Get the most recent WPS Office app for macOS from the App Store or the official WPS site.
- Open the file directly and, if needed, use Save As to export it as DOCX or PDF for easier future use.
C. Microsoft Word for Mac
- Newer Word versions sometimes open WPS documents:
- Open Word → File → Open → Select your .WPS file.
- If it opens, resave as DOCX to avoid future compatibility problems.
D. Use a Trusted Online Converter
If you don’t want to install new software, convert your file online:
- Upload your WPS file to reputable sites such as CloudConvert, Zamzar, or Convertio.
- Choose output as DOCX, RTF, or PDF.
- Download and open the converted file with Pages, Preview, or Word for Mac.
Tip: Avoid uploading sensitive or private documents to online converters for security reasons.
Step 3: Fix File Association Reset by macOS Tahoe
If the right app is installed but the WPS file still won’t open automatically:
- Right-click the WPS file → Get Info.
- Under “Open With”, choose LibreOffice Writer or WPS Office.
- Click “Change All…” so every WPS file opens in that app by default.
Step 4: Troubleshooting Tips
- Restart your Mac after installing new apps or changing associations.
- Check System Settings → Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access and grant it to your chosen document app if prompted.
- Remove old or conflicting QuickLook plug-ins from ~/Library/QuickLook/ if they’re blocking previews.
- If none of the above works, the file may be corrupted — request a clean copy or ask the sender to export it as DOCX or PDF.
Step 5: Future-Proof Your WPS Documents
- Convert all important WPS documents to DOCX or PDF now to avoid headaches with future macOS versions.
- Keep LibreOffice or WPS Office updated whenever macOS releases a new major update.
- Regularly back up converted documents to iCloud Drive or an external drive.
FAQs
Q: Does macOS Tahoe natively support WPS files?
A: No. You’ll need LibreOffice, WPS Office, or another compatible tool.
Q: Is LibreOffice free to use on macOS 26?
A: Yes, it’s completely free and works offline.
Q: Why did my old WPS Viewer stop launching after the update?
A: Likely because it wasn’t updated for macOS Tahoe’s newer security and framework requirements.
Conclusion
If you can’t open WPS files on your Mac after updating to macOS Tahoe, it’s usually a compatibility issue, not a corrupted file.
Updating to the latest WPS Office or installing LibreOffice fixes the problem for most users in minutes.
For long-term peace of mind, convert WPS documents into DOCX or PDF so you’ll never face this issue again on future macOS releases.
