How to use Microsoft Copilot on Mac: Setup & tips

Want to know how to use Copilot on a Mac like a pro? Copilot is Microsoft’s new AI assistant, and yes, it works perfectly fine on a Mac. Think of this article as a quick setup guide you can follow in a few minutes, then you’ll be drafting, summarizing, and analyzing right inside the Microsoft apps you already use.

What is Copilot, and how to use Copilot on a Mac

Copilot is Microsoft’s AI assistant for writing, research, summaries, code help, and quick answers. On a Mac, I reach it two ways. In a browser at Copilot on the web, or inside Microsoft 365 apps with the Copilot button in the ribbon. Microsoft continues to ship Copilot updates in 2025, including new features across apps.

• Web browser. Use Safari, Chrome, or Edge. It is the fastest way to try Copilot without installing anything.

• Microsoft 365 apps. If you have a Microsoft 365 account with Copilot access, you will see the Copilot icon in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook on your MacBook.

Step-by-step guide Microsoft Copilot on Mac

For browser access

1. Go to copilot.microsoft.com and sign in with your Microsoft account.

2. Use your Microsoft personal, work, or school account if your org has Microsoft 365 Copilot; your sign-in redirects to the unified Copilot web app introduced in 2025.

3. In Edge, Copilot Mode adds context from tabs if you opt in. Handy for comparing open pages. I keep it off until I need it.

How to use Copilot on a Mac inside Microsoft Apps

Word: Writing assistance

Open Word, click the Copilot icon on the Home tab. Ask it to draft a section, summarize a selection, or turn bullets into a table. I keep my task specific and provide a short example for tone.

Excel: Data analysis

In supported builds, use Copilot inside Excel from the Home ribbon for quick analyses and natural language questions about a table.

Outlook: Email drafting

Click New Message, select the Copilot icon, then Draft with Copilot. I give the audience the goal and constraints. Tweak tone and length if needed. Works only in the new Outlook for Mac.

OneNote: Research and notes

Use Copilot to summarize long notes and pull tasks. I keep headings consistent so it catches the structure.

Tips and tricks

• Be concrete and give as much context to your prompts as you can.

• Iterate. I use short follow-ups like “tighter, keep the numbers, remove marketing.”

• Keyboard flow. I pin Copilot in the ribbon and use Command K to paste cleaned prompts from my notes.

Copilot vs other Mac AI tools

ChatGPT and Gemini work well in the browser, but Copilot inside Word, Excel, and Outlook pulls context from your Microsoft 365 content and respects your permissions. In 2025, Microsoft will also keep advancing Copilot’s web and app features, which matters if you live in the Office stack.

With more AI apps in my workflow, I use two CleanMyMac features to keep performance steady. In Performance, I run recommended maintenance tasks and disable noisy login items I don’t need. Then, I run Smart Care for a quick health pass that removes safe junk and minor issues so Copilot and other tools stay smooth. Here's how:

1. Open CleanMyMac — get your free trial here (free for seven days).

2. First, select Performance > Scan. Select items to run.
    
   

3. Next, click Smart Care > Scan. Select items to remove.

So, we've covered all there is on how to use Copilot on a Mac.