Microsoft Is Killing Its Free Visio Diagram Viewer App on iOS (2024)

Microsoft is set to stop offering its app that allows Visio diagrams and flowcharts to be viewed on iOS for free.

As The Register reports, in a Tech Community post on Monday, Microsoft announced that the free Microsoft Visio Viewer app currently available in the App Store will be "retired and removed" on Aug. 14.

The app will continue to work after that date for anyone who already has it installed, but Microsoft says that over time it will break due to its integration with services such as OneDrive and SharePoint. There will be no option to reinstall it, either.

The app allows iOS users to view and interact with Visio diagrams on their iPhone or iPad, as well as share them with others. It's a useful app to have available if someone sends you a Visio file as an email attachment, for example, or for anyone who needs to view such files but doesn't need to create or modify them. Unsurprisingly, the app has a high App Store rating of 4.5 out of 5.

So why is Microsoft killing it? Because the team is focusing on the Visio for the web experience instead, which does allow for free viewing of Visio files, but you have to jump through some potentially undesirable hoops to make it work. As Microsoft explains on its support page, viewing Visio files for free requires signing in to your Microsoft 365 account and uploading files to OneDrive.

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FAQs

Microsoft Is Killing Its Free Visio Diagram Viewer App on iOS? ›

Important: On August 14, 2023, the Microsoft Visio Viewer app will be retired and removed from the Apple App Store. On that date, existing installations of the app on iPhone and iPad devices will continue to work.

Read On ›

Is Microsoft Visio being discontinued? ›

Beginning February 10, 2023, Visio Web Access and its Web Part for SharePoint in Microsoft 365 will be discontinued.

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Is there a free Visio viewer? ›

Free Visio Viewer (Mac, Windows, Linux) Our Free Visio Viewer for Mac, Windows, and Linux helps Chrome users collaborate with colleagues that diagram in Microsoft Visio. Use Lucidchart to open Visio files saved to your computer, attached to an email, or posted on a website. Supported file types: .

How to view Visio on iPhone? ›

Tap the Visio Viewer app on iPad or iPhone to open it. Type the personal Microsoft account or work or school account associated with your Microsoft 365 subscription, and then tap Next.

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What is replacing Visio? ›

The 10 Best Microsoft Visio Alternatives 1. ClickUp 2. Lucidchart 3. Creately 4. Nulab 5.

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What happened to Visio Viewer? ›

On August 14, 2023, the Microsoft Visio Viewer app will be retired and removed from the Apple App Store, so that our team can focus our energy on making Visio for the web even better. Starting August 14, 2023, existing installations of the app on iPhone and iPad devices will continue to work.

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Is there an Apple version of Visio? ›

Is There a Visio^® for the Mac? If you're on a Mac and want to use Visio^®, you're out of luck. Visio^® is a Windows only product. SmartDraw offers a powerful and easy-to-use solution for those looking for a Visio^® alternative on a Mac.

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Is Visio free with Office 365? ›

For a long time, Visio was only available to organizations as a separate purchase from Office. But now a lightweight, web-based version of Visio is available for free to Microsoft 365 business subscribers. It's called Visio in Microsoft 365.

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Where can I Download Visio for free? ›

Head over to Microsoft's website (www.microsoft.com) and navigate to the Office section. Choose the version of Visio that best suits your needs. Click the “Download” button, making sure you have a good internet connection.

Does Office 365 include Visio viewer? ›

Visio in Microsoft 365 brings core Visio capabilities to Microsoft 365 commercial subscribers at no additional cost. Create, edit, and share diagrams—either in Visio for the web or directly in Microsoft Teams—as part of your Microsoft 365 subscription.

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Can I use Microsoft Visio on iPad? ›

Visio Viewer for iOS lets you view and share Visio diagrams that were created in the Visio desktop application.

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What is the best app to view Visio files? ›

Our recommended tool is the Visio Online Viewer

For users who don't have a Visio license we recommend using Visio for the web to view Visio files. Once you've signed in to your Microsoft 365 account, you can gain access to any Visio file stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, and then select the file there to open it.

See Details ›

What is Visio mobile app? ›

With Visio on your PC or mobile device, you can: Organize complex ideas visually. Get started with hundreds of templates, including flowcharts, timelines, floor plans, and more. Add and connect shapes, text, and pictures to show relationships in your data.

Get More Info Here ›

Does SmartDraw have a free version? ›

Try SmartDraw's Online Diagram Software Free.

Why is Visio not included in Office 365? ›

Do I get Visio with Office 365? ›

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What is the new name for Visio professional? ›

So, when Microsoft Office 365 subscription data is imported, it is linked to the old software model names. Microsoft has renamed Visio Online as: "Microsoft Visio Online Professional" to "Microsoft Visio online plan 2 " "Microsoft Visio Online" to "Microsoft Visio online plan 1 "

Can I buy Visio without Office 365? ›

Visio is not included in the Office suite . It is sold as a stand-alone application.

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