Email drafts automatically get sent to deleted folder

Question

Recently there has been a change to what happens when I close a draft email by pressing the X in Outlook. Instead of automatically saving my draft reply or new email in the draft folder like it usally does, now those emails are getting discarded and sent to the deleted folder automatically were I can't draft and save them. This is in the mobile web version so there is limited settings and buttons, but this still never used to happen. Is this a new change to outlook or is it fixable?

Answer 1

Hi Tinker

I understand that drafts in Outlook.com mobile web are being moved to Deleted Items when you close the compose window with the X, instead of staying in Drafts as expected.

Please reply with these details only, without posting personal information:

• Are you using Safari, Chrome, Edge, or another mobile browser?
• Does the same issue happen in private/incognito mode?
• Does it happen on a PC or Mac at Outlook.com Mail?
• Does it happen only for replies, only for new emails, or both?
• Are the discarded drafts recoverable from Deleted Items?

Also, try the steps below.

1) Recover the draft from Deleted Items

• Open Outlook.com Mail.
• Go to Deleted Items.
• Open the deleted draft.
• If the message content is still there, copy the full text before doing anything else.
• Move the item back to Drafts if possible, or create a new email and paste the copied content.

2) Check recoverable deleted items if the draft is no longer in Deleted Items

If the draft is not visible in Deleted Items, check whether it can still be restored.

• Sign in to Outlook.com Mail from a PC, Mac, or desktop browser view.
• Open Deleted Items.
• Select Recover items deleted from this folder, if the option appears.
• Select the missing draft if it appears.
• Select Restore.

3) Avoid using the X for important drafts until the issue is isolated

For now, avoid closing important drafts with the X in Outlook.com mobile web. Instead:

• Add a subject line first.
• Type a short test line.
• Wait a few seconds.
• Open the Drafts folder or refresh the folder list to confirm the draft was saved.
• For important replies, copy the message text before leaving the compose window.

4) Test in a clean mobile browser session

This helps confirm whether the issue is related to the browser cache, cookies, or the current session.

• Sign out of Outlook.com.
• Clear the browser cache and cookies for Outlook.com.
• Open a private or incognito tab.
• Sign in again to Outlook.com Mail.
• Create a short test draft.
• Close it the same way and check whether it goes to Drafts or Deleted Items.

If it works correctly in private browsing, the issue is likely related to cached browser data or the current browser session.

5) Try desktop view or the Outlook mobile app

Because Outlook.com mobile web has fewer controls, test with another Outlook access method.

• In the mobile browser, use Request desktop site, then test a short draft.
• If available, use the Outlook mobile app instead of mobile web.
• If the draft is important, use Outlook.com from a PC or Mac until the behavior is resolved.

Please tell me how it goes. If the problem persists, please don’t hesitate to reply to this thread and I will be happy to help. Have a lovely day!  

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