(Updated) Microsoft Purview: Information Protection- File Labeler and File Viewer for MacOS
Rollout
- Roadmap
- 561327
- Platforms
- Web
Rollout dates are often only in the text. When Microsoft moves them, the change shows under "What changed".
What the notice says
Microsoft's text, with its sections, lists and tables; source markup removedUpdated October 13, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
What and Why
Microsoft Purview Information Protection is introducing File Labeler and File Viewer applications for macOS. These clients will bring sensitivity labeling and protected file viewing capabilities to Mac users, aligning with the experience already available on Windows.
This update will help organizations consistently apply and enforce protection policies across platforms, supporting enterprise-grade security and compliance for sensitive content across devices.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 561327.
Rollout Schedule
- Public Preview: The macOS client will be made available for download on or around May 29, 2026.
- General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out late January 2027 and expect to complete by mid-November 2027.
Impact on Your Organization
Who is affected
- Users on macOS who work with labeled and protected files
- Admins managing Microsoft Purview Information Protection
Platforms/Services
- macOS
- Microsoft Purview Information Protection
What will happen
- The macOS client will be made available to download via the Microsoft Purview Information Protection page.
- Users will be able to apply, change, and remove sensitivity labels on supported files, including Office documents, PDFs, images, text files, and other file types.
- Users will be able to apply labels and protection to single files, or multiple files
- Labels and protection will remain applied when files are shared or moved.
- Users will be able to open and view protected files (including .pfile-based formats) that are not supported by their originating applications.
- The macOS client will provide parity with the Windows File Labeler and File Viewer, with the following exceptions:
- The client will not be pre-installed and will need to be downloaded separately.
- Existing sensitivity labeling policies will continue to apply; no changes will be required.
- Advanced label-based protection will not be supported in this release.
- Need to work with files, selecting a folder will not show the option.
Action Required/Recommendations
No immediate action is required.
Admins may consider the following:
- Review your current sensitivity labeling policies to ensure they meet cross-platform needs.
- Inform macOS users about the availability of labeling and protected file viewing capabilities.
- Download the macOS client from the Microsoft Purview Information Protection page when it becomes available.
Learn more
- Learn about Advanced label-based protection for all files on devices | Microsoft Purview | Microsoft Support
- Learn about sensitivity labels | Microsoft Purview | Microsoft Learn
- Label and protect files in File Explorer in Windows | Microsoft Support
- View protected files with Microsoft Purview Information Protection viewer | Microsoft Support
Compliance considerations
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does the change alter how existing customer data is processed, stored, or accessed? | Yes. Files can now be labeled and accessed on macOS, extending existing sensitivity labeling and protection workflows to another platform. |
| Does the change modify Information Protection labels or encryption capabilities? | Yes. Labeling capabilities are extended to macOS; however, advanced label-based protection is not supported in this release. |
| Does the change include an admin control and can it be controlled via Entra ID groups? | Yes. Existing Purview labeling policies and controls continue to govern behavior across platforms. |
- 561327
- Microsoft Purview Information Protection page
- macOS client
- Learn about Advanced label-based protection for all files on devices | Microsoft Purview | Microsoft Support
- Learn about sensitivity labels | Microsoft Purview | Microsoft Learn
- Label and protect files in File Explorer in Windows | Microsoft Support
- View protected files with Microsoft Purview Information Protection viewer | Microsoft Support
What changed
Between the versions this installation saw, newest firstThis installation has seen one version of this notice, first on 19 Oct 2026. Later changes will show here.
Linked documentation
Microsoft pages the notice links toThe notice links to no Microsoft Learn or Support page that this installation reads.
Not confirmed here
What this page cannot tell you- Whether your tenant is affected: this is Microsoft's notice, not a check of your settings.
- Versions before 19 Oct 2026: this installation first saw the notice after Microsoft posted it.