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Accessing GAL on Outlook Mobile (iOS/Android) in Dialer (Exchange Hybrid)

Harm Veenstra 25 Reputation points MVP
2024-10-09T09:42:00.6933333+00:00

Our users could view their GAL contacts using the native mail app on iOS or Gmail on Android. When using only the Outlook app, they can only see their contacts in the Dialer. Why isn't the Global Address List available to the dialer using the Outlook app (And App Protection/Intune)

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Accepted answer
  1. Jake Zhang-MSFT 6,615 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2024-10-10T02:05:36.86+00:00

    Hi @Harm Veenstra ,

    Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A platform!

     

    The behavior you describe is related to how the Outlook app interacts with the Global Address List (GAL) and native contacts on the device. Here's a breakdown of the situation:

     

    Outlook app and GAL access:

     

    • The Outlook app for iOS and Android has its own method of accessing the GAL that is separate from the native Contacts app on those devices.
    • Users can search the GAL within the Outlook app itself, but this does not sync GAL contacts to the native Contacts app or dialer.

     

    Native Mail app and GAL access:

     

    The native Mail app on iOS and Gmail on Android can be configured to access the GAL directly, which allows users to view GAL contacts in the native Contacts app and dialer.

     

    Intune and app protection policies:

     

    • When using Intune and app protection policies, the Outlook app is managed and restricted in how it shares data with other apps.
    • These policies can prevent the Outlook app from syncing contacts to the native Contacts app, which may explain why GAL contacts are not available in the dialer.

     

    Why the GAL is not available in the dialer:

     

    • Because the Outlook app is designed to handle corporate data securely, it does not sync the GAL to the device's native contacts.
    • Intune app protection policies may restrict syncing of contacts to ensure that corporate data remains in the managed app (Outlook) and is not shared with unmanaged apps (native contacts and dialer).

     

    Possible solutions:

     

    • Users can manually add GAL contacts to their Outlook contacts, which can then be synced to the native contacts app if policy allows.
    • Administrators can configure Intune policies to allow contact syncing if it meets the organization's security requirements.

    Please feel free to contact me for any updates. And if this helps, don't forget to mark it as an answer.

    Best,

    Jake Zhang

    1 person found this answer helpful.

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