how-to-set-out-of-office in-outlook-app

How to Set Out of Office in Outlook App?

ByBiswajit Raskhit

If you are going away for any reason or just don’t want to manage your emails while out, set an out-of-office message in Outlook to update your contacts. With your phone’s Outlook app, setting up Front-Only Mode doesn’t take much time. In this article, we’ll teach you how to activate the out of office reply in either the Android or iOS app, together with useful advice for composing a good automatic message.

Why You Should Use Out of Office Replies?

How-to-Set-Out-of-Office-in Outlook-App?

Out-of-office messages are more than just a courtesy—they’re essential for communication clarity. Setting them helps:

  • Manage expectations with colleagues or customers
  • Provide alternate contacts in your absence
  • Maintain professionalism
  • Avoid missed deadlines or confusion

If you have a work or personal Outlook account, auto-replies make it easy to keep in touch with others, even when you’re out of the office.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before Setting It Up

Before you learn how to set out of office in Outlook app, make sure:

  • You have the Outlook mobile app installed (iOS or Android).
  • You’re signed into the correct email account.
  • Your email account is either Microsoft 365, Outlook.com, Exchange, or similar (some third-party email providers may not support this feature).

How to Set Out of Office in Outlook App? (Android & iOS)

How-to-Set-Out-of-Office-in Outlook-App?

The process is similar on both Android and iPhone, but the exact screens may vary slightly. Here’s the general method:

Step 1: Open the Outlook App

Launch the Outlook app on your phone or tablet.

Step 2: Tap Your Profile Icon

You’ll find your profile picture or initials in the top-left or top-right corner of the screen. Tap it to open the side menu.

Step 3: Go to Settings

In the side panel, scroll down and tap on Settings (gear icon) at the bottom.

Step 4: Select Your Email Account

Under the “Mail Accounts” section, tap the email address you want to configure the out-of-office message for.

Step 5: Tap on “Automatic Replies”

Look for the option labeled Automatic Replies or Out of Office. Tap it to open the setup screen.

Step 6: Toggle On Automatic Replies

Switch the toggle to On. This will allow you to write and schedule your message.

Step 7: Set the Time Range (Optional)

You can set a start and end time for your out-of-office replies. If you don’t set a range, the message will stay on until you manually turn it off.

Step 8: Write Your Message

You’ll typically see two text boxes:

  • Internal reply: For people within your organization
  • External reply: For people outside your organization (e.g., customers or vendors)

You can either use the same message for both or customize them separately.

Step 9: Save and Exit

After writing your message(s) and setting the duration, tap Done or Checkmark (depending on your platform). Your out-of-office reply is now active.

Sample Out-of-Office Messages

Here are a few examples to use or adapt:

For Business Use:

Thank you for your message. I am currently out of the office and will return on [Date]. During this time, I will have limited access to email. For urgent matters, please contact [Alternate Contact Name] at [email address or phone].

Best regards,
 [Your Name]

For Personal Use:

Hi! I’m currently away from my email and will return on [Date]. I’ll respond to your message as soon as possible once I’m back. Thanks for your patience!

For Holidays:

Happy Holidays! I’m currently out of the office and will return on [Date]. I’ll respond to your email when I return. Wishing you a joyful holiday season!

How to Turn Off Out of Office in Outlook App

When you’re back to work, turning it off is just as easy:

  1. Open the Outlook app.
  2. Tap your profile icon > go to Settings.
  3. Select your email account.
  4. Tap on Automatic Replies.
  5. Toggle the switch Off.

If you had set a specific time range earlier, the feature may turn off automatically once that time expires.

Can You Set Recurring Out-of-Office Replies?

Outlook mobile does not currently support recurring out-of-office replies (like every Friday, or on certain dates each month). For such customization, it’s best to set it via the Outlook desktop app or web version.

Troubleshooting: Out-of-Office Not Working?

If your auto-replies aren’t being sent:

  • Check your account type: Not all email accounts support automatic replies.
  • Update the app: Make sure your Outlook app is up to date.
  • Test from another account: Send yourself an email from another email to see if the reply works.
  • Try Outlook Web or Desktop: If the app doesn’t work, try setting the message from the web version at https://outlook.office.com.

How to Set Out of Office in Outlook Web (Bonus Tip)

If you’re not near your phone, here’s how to set it from your browser:

  1. Go to Outlook Web.
  2. Sign in.
  3. Click the gear icon (Settings) in the upper-right.
  4. Search for “Automatic Replies” in the search bar.
  5. Turn it on, write your message, and set a schedule.
  6. Save and close.

Final Thoughts

With these instructions, you’re prepared to go offline at work without worry. If you are away from your office, auto-replies let everyone know when you’ll respond. One quick action is all it takes to separate your job life from your personal time.

For more information please visit our blog.

Similar Posts