Outlook, with Apple Mail and Gmail, is among the top three email clients in the world in terms of market share. Microsoft’s long-standing email service has retained users with handy features for personal or business use. Still, Outlook has had its fair share of issues, such as overwhelming clutter and performance drags, prompting dissatisfied users to delete their accounts.
If you want to delete Outlook from your phone, this is the guide for you. We will explain how to remove an Outlook account from iPhone and Android. You’ll also learn what happens after you remove the service from your phone and discover what a convenient alternative can do for your productivity.
What to know before you remove an Outlook account on iOS or Android devices
Outlook is a multi-faceted email service with an integrated calendar and contact list. Removing the account from your phone may result in losing relevant calendar entries, notes, and business or personal contacts saved on your phone. Luckily, you can individually sync your calendar and contacts with Outlook to include the data you need on your device.
If you use Microsoft 365 or individual Office apps on your phone, you may want to keep the associated Outlook email address on your device. The same logic applies when you use cloud-based services like OneDrive or SharePoint that require a Microsoft account to operate.
Removing your email account from an iPhone or Android is not the same as closing it permanently. It merely implies you lose access to the app-based service on your phone. Your emails, attachments, and stored data remain intact and can be accessed anytime from Outlook’s webmail.
Bonus read: Need help getting rid of old or unwanted accounts? Read how to remove a Gmail account from your phone and how to delete iCloud and Yahoo email accounts hassle-free.
How to remove an Outlook email account from an iPhone
The process of removing an Outlook account from your iPhone depends on how you access the service:
As an email account added to Apple Mail
As one of the email accounts in the standalone Outlook app
Removing an Outlook email account from Apple Mail
Apple Mail is the iPhone’s default email client that allows users to:
Create and manage an iCloud Mail account
Configure and add third-party email accounts (such as Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo, Zoho Mail, etc.)
If you set up your Outlook account using Apple Mail, follow these steps to remove it:
Access the Settings app on your iPhone
Scroll down and click on the Mail icon
Select Accounts from the options—you will find a list of all the email accounts added to Apple Mail (Tip: The view at this stage also displays the services associated with the account, such as Contacts, Calendar, or Notes, so it’s good to review which services will be affected if you remove your Outlook account)
Tap on Outlook
Click on the Delete Account button
Select Delete From My iPhone to confirm—and the deed will be done!
Note that these steps reflect the navigation pattern of iOS 15 (supporting iPhone 6S and above). The process may vary based on the model. If you’re using an older operating system, here’s what deleting an Outlook account would look like:
Open the Settings app
Navigate to the integrated menu labeled Mail, Contacts, Calendars
Select Outlook from the listed accounts
Scroll down and tap on Delete Account
Click on Delete From My iPhone to finish
Removing an Outlook email account from the Outlook app
If you’re using the dedicated Outlook app on your iPhone, you must use the specific app to remove the account. Uninstalling the app is one way to get rid of the service, but the option is not viable for users who have added multiple accounts to their Outlook app.
Here’s how to remove an account from the Outlook app on an iPhone:
Open the Outlook app
Go to the in-app Settings menu
Navigate to the target email account under the Accounts section
Select Delete Account
Choose between Delete from this device or Delete from all devices—the latter will remove the account from all the apps where you’ve synced the account
Keep in mind that the steps and labels are subject to change according to updates added to the Outlook app.
Trouble deleting Outlook from iOS? Here’s what to do
Some users reported they couldn’t delete their Outlook account on an iPhone despite following instructions. Based on answers from the support team, the issue comes from the cache retained by your device. If you’re using the Outlook app, the problem could be related to recent updates or ill-configured settings.
Apple had previously confirmed that the stock Mail app had trouble working with the Microsoft Exchange Server. Some experts say resetting the app can fix the account and syncing issues, but it’s best to reach out to support to figure out the underlying problem.
How to remove an Outlook account from Android
Android users looking to remove Outlook can do so by accessing the relevant app or email client hosting the service. If you’re using Outlook’s Android app, follow these steps to remove the account:
Launch the Outlook app
Tap on your profile icon (toward the top-left)
Scroll down to click on the Settings icon
Select the relevant account under Mail Accounts
Hit Delete Account and confirm to delete
Almost every Android device has the option to delete an email account directly from the phone settings. We won’t go into details here as the labeling is non-standardized. For example, some devices would have the option under the Users and Accounts tab, while others would have a separate Manage Accounts section. You have to access the option, navigate to the Outlook account you want to delete, and then click on Remove Account.
Keep reading: Discover the top Android Outlook alternatives in our carefully curated guide.
Is removing Outlook a smart decision?
If you're considering removing your Outlook account, you may be experiencing frustrations that are impacting your productivity. Some common complaints among Outlook users at this stage include:
Outlook’s cluttered interface: While Outlook is feature-rich, many users find its interface crowded and difficult to navigate, which can lead to overwhelm and hinder efficient email management.
Performance and syncing issues: Some users report that Outlook can be slow at times and experience performance issues, particularly with tasks like reviewing shared calendars, sending emails, or searching for emails. Unreliable syncing across devices can also cause frustration and impact overall productivity.
If issues like these are affecting your workflow, considering alternative email solutions, such as Notion Mail, that prioritize productivity and organization may be a smart decision.
The email upgrade you need: Notion Mail
If you want a fresh approach to email that helps you regain control of your inbox and boost your productivity, Notion Mail provides an efficient alternative.
Notion Mail is a free, AI-first, personalized emailing service built with the best of Notion’s core app and designed to integrate seamlessly with your workflows, helping you manage your emails with greater focus and efficiency. It’s well-suited for individuals and teams looking to enjoy the following benefits:
Reduced email overload: Notion Mail offers AI-powered tools like AI autopilot that help you automatically label and prioritize your emails by setting up prompts.
Personalized workflow: The tool allows you to create tailored views and layouts with its customizable views feature, organizing your emails according to specific projects, tasks, or priorities you’re working on.
Faster email composition: Use snippets to create reusable, one-click email templates that speed up composition without relying on quick replies. Snippets can include dynamic data fields, making it easy to insert common elements like Zoom links or meeting details in seconds.
Streamlined scheduling: Notion Mail enables you to automate tasks like scheduling meetings easily using the /schedule command or scheduling buttons like Calendly—no third-party tools needed.
How to get started with Notion Mail
Notion Mail is a free, Gmail-only client, so all you need to do to get started is sign up with a Gmail or Google account. Once you’re in, you can customize your views, connect your Notion Calendar for seamless scheduling, and leverage AI-powered features to streamline your email management.
For an extra productivity boost, you can explore the Notion AI add-on and its features.
Bonus read: Having trouble with email management or providers? Check out these guides for troubleshooting tips, provider comparisons, and more:
