Approve/Reject Button Outlook Mobile iOS

Question

@ MICROSOFT . I AM BEGGING YOU TO ALLOW EMAIL APPROVE/REJECT IN OUTLOOK MOBILE. I AM THE IT EXCHANGE ADMIN SUPPORT PERSON FOR MY COMPANY. I AM ON THE ROAD OFTEN BETWEEN OUR LOCATIONS. I CAN NOT OPEN MY LAPTOP AT ALL TIMES TO APPROVE OR REJECT TIME SENSITIVE EMAILS. I REALLY NEED TO DO THIS ON MY PHONE. IT'S BEEN WAY TOO LONG TO GO WITHOUT THIS FUCTION VIA SMARTPHONES.

PLEASE, WHATEVER IT TAKES TO ADD THIS FUNCTION WOULD BE IMMENSELY APPRECIATED. I AM SURE I SPEAK FOR MANY OTHERS IN MY TYPE OF IT POSITION. THANK YOU!!

Answer 1

Dear @Consoli, Mark, 

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum.  

Based on my own testing environment, I have encountered the exact same issue, the "Approve" and "Reject" buttons are currently not appearing consistently in the native Outlook mobile app. 

The workaround I have found is to use Outlook Web Access (OWA) on the mobile device. You then need to select the option to view the "Desktop Site" within your browser (click "Request Desktop Website"). This forces the mobile browser to load the full desktop version of OWA, which displays the necessary Approve/Reject buttons. 

However, since the navigation to switch to the "Desktop Site" varies depending on the browser, could you please let me know which browser and device you are currently using so I can help you locate that setting? 

I found that, currently, Microsoft has announced a new feature: Support for approving/rejecting email moderation on Outlook Mobile (iOS/Android) through Actionable Messages. According to the Microsoft 365 Roadmap (ID 492743), this feature is currently in the 'In Development' status Microsoft 365 Roadmap. So, in this case, the best way for the Microsoft product team to promote this issue is for you to submit your suggestion through the official feedback channels. You can post this suggestion to Ideas · Community. Many IT have already done so, and adding your voice (and asking others in your position to upvote it) will significantly increase its visibility to the product team. 

Let me know if you have any other questions, I'm still stay here to support. 

Looking forward to your response! 

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Answer 2

Outlook for iOS and Android does not support moderated message requests for approving or rejecting emails. As of now, there is no approve/reject button available in the mobile app for these scenarios. Users can only manage their emails and tasks through the app, but the specific functionality for approving or rejecting messages is not included.

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References:

• Common questions from end users
• Securing Outlook for iOS and Android in Exchange Online
• Managing devices for Outlook for iOS and Android for Exchange Server
• Blocking Outlook for iOS and Android
• Leveraging Enterprise Mobility + Security suite to protect corporate data with Outlook for iOS and Android

Answer 3

Fantastic! The workaround does the trick. That said, the desktop option is a bit clunky to navigate on my iPhone (Pro Max), but it’ll work for now.

I really hope the Microsoft product team adds this feature directly to the app soon. It’s more critical than ever given the growing sophistication of phishing attempts. I’ve had to set up a few rules in the Exchange Admin Center just to stay ahead of potential scams since our company handles a lot of contracts, ACH transfers, and wires. The volume of fake DocuSigns alone is endless and exhausting.

Thanks again Jeanie!!!!

Mark