Opening the Outlook app on your phone, you can find your sent mail under the envelope icon. But if you’re new to the app or just updated it, you might wonder how to see sent mail on outlook app quickly. This guide walks you through every step, from locating the sent folder to troubleshooting common issues.
Let’s get straight to it. You don’t need to be tech-savvy to find your sent emails. The process is simple once you know where to tap.
How To See Sent Mail On Outlook App
First, open the Outlook app on your phone. Look at the bottom of the screen. You’ll see a row of icons: a mailbox, a calendar, a people icon, and a gear. Tap the mailbox icon—it looks like an envelope.
Once you’re in the mailbox view, you’ll see your inbox by default. To switch to sent mail, tap the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top-left corner. A sidebar slides out. Scroll down until you see “Sent Items.” Tap it.
That’s it. You’re now looking at all the emails you’ve sent. The list shows the recipient, subject, and date. Tap any email to open it.
Alternative Way Using The Folder Icon
Some versions of the Outlook app have a folder icon at the bottom. If you see one, tap it. A list of folders appears, including “Sent Items.” Tap that folder to view your sent mail.
If you don’t see the folder icon, check the top-left hamburger menu. It’s the most reliable method across all devices.
Why Can’t I Find Sent Items?
Sometimes the sent folder hides. This happens if you’re using a work or school account with strict IT policies. Or you might have accidentally archived the folder.
- Check if you’re signed into the right account. Swipe down from the top of the inbox to see the account name.
- Make sure the app is updated. Go to your phone’s app store and update Outlook.
- Restart the app. Close it completely and reopen.
Step-By-Step Guide For IPhone And Android
The steps are nearly identical for both platforms. Here’s a detailed walkthrough.
For IPhone Users
- Open the Outlook app on your iPhone.
- Tap the envelope icon at the bottom left.
- Tap the hamburger menu (three lines) at the top left.
- Scroll down the sidebar and tap “Sent Items.”
- Your sent emails appear. Tap one to read it.
If you use an iPad, the layout is similar. The hamburger menu is still in the top-left corner.
For Android Users
- Launch the Outlook app on your Android phone.
- Tap the envelope icon at the bottom.
- Tap the three lines at the top left.
- Find “Sent Items” in the list and tap it.
- All sent emails show up. Scroll through them.
Android phones sometimes have a back button. If you press it by accident, you’ll return to the inbox. Just repeat the steps.
Using The Search Bar To Find Sent Emails
If you have hundreds of sent emails, scrolling is slow. Use the search bar at the top of the inbox. Type the recipient’s name or a keyword from the subject. The app searches all folders, including sent items.
To narrow the search to sent mail only, type “from:me” in the search bar. This filters results to emails you sent.
Common Problems And Fixes
Even with clear steps, things go wrong. Here are frequent issues and how to solve them.
Sent Items Folder Is Empty
If your sent folder shows no emails, check your account settings. Go to Settings (gear icon) > your account > “Save sent messages.” Make sure it’s turned on.
- For Exchange accounts, sent items sync automatically.
- For IMAP accounts, you might need to enable “Save sent items on server.”
- For POP3 accounts, sent emails may only save locally. Check your device storage.
Another reason: you might have deleted the sent items folder. Don’t worry—Outlook usually restores it. Tap the hamburger menu, then “Edit” at the bottom of the sidebar. Look for “Sent Items” in the list and toggle it on.
Sent Emails Not Appearing After Sending
You send an email, but it doesn’t show in sent items. This is often a sync delay. Pull down on the sent folder to refresh. If it still doesn’t appear, check your internet connection.
Sometimes the email failed to send. Open the “Outbox” folder (also in the sidebar). If the email is stuck there, tap it and try sending again.
App Crashing When Opening Sent Folder
If the app closes when you tap “Sent Items,” clear the app cache. On Android: Settings > Apps > Outlook > Storage > Clear Cache. On iPhone: Offload the app (Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Outlook > Offload App) and reinstall.
If that doesn’t work, update the app. Old versions have bugs that crash the sent folder.
How To See Sent Mail On Outlook App For Multiple Accounts
Many people use Outlook for personal and work email. Each account has its own sent folder. Here’s how to switch between them.
- Open the Outlook app.
- Tap the hamburger menu at the top left.
- You’ll see all your accounts listed at the top. Tap the one you want.
- Then scroll down to “Sent Items” for that account.
If you want to see sent mail from all accounts in one list, use the “All Accounts” view. Tap the hamburger menu, then tap “All Accounts” at the top. Scroll to “Sent Items” to see a combined list.
Organizing Sent Emails With Folders
Outlook lets you move sent emails into custom folders. This helps you find them later. Open a sent email, tap the three dots (more options), and choose “Move.” Select a folder you created.
To create a folder, go to the hamburger menu, tap “New Folder” at the bottom, and name it. Then move sent emails into it.
Tips For Managing Sent Mail Efficiently
Here are quick tricks to keep your sent folder tidy.
- Use the “Filter” option in the sent folder. Tap the funnel icon to sort by date, unread, or flagged emails.
- Archive old sent emails instead of deleting them. Archiving keeps them searchable but out of the main list.
- Set up rules to automatically move sent emails to specific folders. Go to Settings > Rules > Add Rule.
Printing Or Forwarding Sent Emails
Need to share a sent email? Open it, tap the three dots, and choose “Forward” or “Print.” Forwarding adds the email as an attachment. Printing sends it to a connected printer.
You can also save a sent email as a PDF. Tap the share icon and select “Save to Files” or “Print” > “Save as PDF.”
How To See Sent Mail On Outlook App On A Tablet
Tablets have a wider screen, but the steps are the same. On an iPad or Android tablet, the hamburger menu is still in the top-left corner. The sidebar shows more folders at once.
Tap “Sent Items” directly. You can also swipe from the left edge to open the sidebar faster.
Using The Desktop Version Vs. The App
The desktop version of Outlook has a dedicated “Sent Items” folder in the left pane. The app hides it behind the hamburger menu. But the functionality is identical—you can search, filter, and organize sent emails in both.
If you switch between desktop and mobile, sent emails sync automatically. Just make sure you’re signed into the same account.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find sent mail in Outlook app if I don’t see the hamburger menu?
Some versions of the app have a bottom navigation bar. Tap the “Folders” icon (a folder shape) at the bottom. Then tap “Sent Items.” If neither works, reinstall the app.
Can I recover a deleted sent email from the Outlook app?
Yes. Go to the “Deleted Items” folder in the sidebar. If it’s not there, check “Recoverable Items” (only for Exchange accounts). Tap the email and choose “Move” to return it to sent items.
Why does my sent mail not show up immediately after sending?
This is usually a sync delay. Pull down to refresh the folder. If it still doesn’t appear, check your internet connection or restart the app.
How do I see sent mail from a specific date in the Outlook app?
Use the search bar. Type “sent:2024/01/01” (replace with your date). Or use the filter icon in the sent folder to sort by date.
Is there a way to mark sent emails as unread in the Outlook app?
Yes. Open the sent email, tap the three dots, and choose “Mark as Unread.” It will show a blue dot in the sent folder.
Final Thoughts On Accessing Sent Mail
Knowing how to see sent mail on outlook app is a basic but essential skill. Whether you’re double-checking a sent invoice or finding an old message, the process is quick once you memorize the steps.
Remember: the hamburger menu is your friend. If you ever get lost, tap it and scroll to “Sent Items.” That folder holds every email you’ve sent from that account.
If you encounter issues, start with the simplest fix—restart the app. Then check your account settings. Most problems are solvable in under a minute.
Now you can confidently find any sent email on your phone. No more digging through your inbox or guessing where it went. Just tap, scroll, and read.