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Office 365: Shared Mailbox Support Comes to Outlook on iOS!

Jerad Cook

Aug 19 2019

2 min read

After years of being requested by users and system administrators alike, and reaching over 25,000 votes on Microsoft’s UserVoice page, Shared Mailbox support is finally coming to Outlook mobile!

It was confirmed last month on Twitter by Michael Palermiti, Microsoft’s Head of Product for Outlook on iOS, that Shared Mailbox support had reached beta testing in Outlook on iOS via Apple’s TestFlight program. The welcomed feature’s status is now being listed as “rolling out” on the Outlook for iOS roadmap. iOS users rejoice! Android users, fear not. The feature is also heading your way, sharing the same roadmap status. Although it is expected to not release on Android until after the iOS rollout is complete.

Why all the excitement you ask? Especially if you were aware of the work around for adding a Shared Mailbox to mobile apps via IMAP4. One reason is that native support always beats a workaround. Especially when the workaround is relying on IMAP4, a slower performing protocol than Microsoft’s new simplified sync technology for mobile. Another being that the little known (or overlooked) fact about using the IMAP workaround was that technically, your shared mailbox should have had an accompanying license to be compliant.

The functionality will remain consistent with that of full mailboxes. When composing new messages, you’ll have the ability to switch the sending account from the top of the message. iOS outlook shared mailbox

To add the Shared Mailbox you’ll follow the same steps you would to add a new account, by going to Settings and then Add Account.

iOS outlook shared mailbox As the adaption of mobile as a primary device continues to rise, it is good to see Microsoft continue to build out the already robust Outlook mobile app. I’ve listed below some of my other favorite new Outlook Mobile features that have either recently released or are slated to be within the next quarter.

SMIME support – sign or encrypt messages in Outlook mobile with company issued certificates
App configuration profile settings for delivery via MDM tools
External recipient warning – receive a tip when composing a message to external recipients
Favorite notifications – receive iOS notifications for emails only from people you’ve identified as Favorites in Outlook

If you’re interested in learning how your company can be doing more with Office 365 on mobile devices, be sure to reach out to us at Sikich!

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About the Author

Jerad Cook

Jerad Cook is a Senior Network Consultant at Sikich, assisting clients in achieving their business objectives through technology and trusted advice. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from Kent State University, as well as several Microsoft certifications that give him a Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) status. His primary area of focus revolves around Microsoft’s Cloud services, which he has ten years of experience with. This includes working with both Azure and Office 365 environments in order to drive clients toward full cloud enablement.