Outlook for Android

Question

Outlook for Android no longer authenticate on my Android devices

Answer 1

Hi J Balmer

From what you described, Outlook for Android no longer authenticates on your Android devices. To avoid repeating the Q&A Assist suggestions, could you please let me know if you've already tried those steps? If yes, what happened?

Also, to make sure I guide you correctly, could you please confirm these:

• What type of account are you trying to add or sign in with (e.g., Outlook.com/ Hotmail/ Live, work or school, or a third-party account such as Gmail/Yahoo/iCloud)?
• Can the same account still sign in on the web or on another device?
• Do you see any specific error message in Outlook for Android?

For more details, you can see Troubleshoot Outlook mobile issues - Microsoft Support

Looking forward to your reply so I can assist you further. Thank you for your understanding.

Answer 2

Follow these steps to restore authentication for Outlook for Android.

1. Update Outlook and Android

• Install the latest version of Outlook for Android from the store.
• Restart the device after updating.

2. If sign-in fails (all accounts)

• For Microsoft personal accounts, run the sign-in helper tool: Start. It checks the account and provides specific recovery steps.
• For work or school accounts, if self-service password reset is enabled, reset the password at Reset password. Then sign in again in Outlook.
• For non-Microsoft accounts (Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, etc.), contact the provider of that email account if sign-in still fails.

3. Fix issues specific to Outlook for Android not syncing or authenticating Some Android models block background activity needed for authentication and sync when Microsoft apps (like Authenticator or Company Portal) are installed. On such devices:

1. Turn off power-saving restrictions for Microsoft apps

• Disable system power-saving mode, or
• Change settings to allow Microsoft apps to launch other apps.
  • On Huawei: go to Phone Manager > Auto-launch > Secondary launch management > Enable Authenticator/Company Portal.
  • On other devices, use the equivalent vendor settings to allow these apps to auto-launch.

2. Disable battery optimization for Authenticator/Company Portal

• In Android settings, exclude Microsoft Authenticator and/or Company Portal from battery/power optimization so they can run in the background.

3. Start Authenticator/Company Portal before Outlook

• Open the Authenticator or Company Portal app first to ensure it is running.
• Then open Outlook for Android and try to authenticate again.

4. If Outlook still will not authenticate

• Remove the affected account from Outlook for Android.
• Close Outlook completely.
• Re-add the account using the standard “Add account” flow in Outlook for Android.
• If the account is work/school and still fails, contact the organization’s IT admin to check for device access policies that might be blocking mobile sign-in.

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References:

• Failed to add Microsoft 365 account or cannot sync new messages with your existing Microsoft 365 account?
• Can't sign in to the Outlook mobile app