The outbox in your Outlook app holds messages waiting to send, and you can review them there. Knowing how to view outbox in outlook app is essential for managing unsent emails, checking for errors, or resending messages that got stuck. This guide walks you through every method step by step, covering both mobile and desktop versions.
Many people miss the outbox because it hides behind other folders. Once you find it, you can fix sending issues quickly. Let’s start with the basics and move to advanced tips.
Why The Outbox Matters In Outlook
The outbox is a temporary holding area. Emails sit here when they can’t send immediately due to network problems, large attachments, or server delays. Checking it helps you avoid losing important messages.
You might also need to edit a message before it goes out. The outbox lets you do that. Without knowing where it is, you could accidentally send incomplete or wrong content.
How To View Outbox In Outlook App On Windows
For Windows users, the Outlook desktop app stores the outbox in the folder pane. Follow these steps to locate it.
Step 1: Open The Folder Pane
Launch Outlook on your Windows computer. Look at the left side of the screen. The folder pane shows all your mail folders by default. If you don’t see it, click “View” in the top menu and select “Folder Pane.”
Step 2: Find The Outbox Folder
Scroll down the folder list. You’ll see “Inbox,” “Drafts,” “Sent Items,” and then “Outbox.” It usually sits right below “Drafts.” Click on it to open its contents.
Step 3: Review Or Edit Messages
Double-click any email in the outbox to open it. You can read, edit, or delete it. To send it immediately, click “Send” again. If the message is stuck, check your internet connection or attachment size.
Sometimes the outbox appears empty even when you have unsent emails. This happens if Outlook auto-sends them in the background. Wait a few seconds and refresh the folder by pressing F5.
How To View Outbox In Outlook App On Mac
Mac users have a slightly different layout. The outbox is still easy to find once you know where to look.
Step 1: Open Outlook For Mac
Start the Outlook app on your Mac. The sidebar on the left shows your mail accounts and folders. If the sidebar is hidden, click “View” and choose “Show Folder List.”
Step 2: Locate The Outbox
Under your email account, look for “Outbox.” It may be grouped under “On My Computer” or directly in the account folder. Click it to see queued messages.
Step 3: Manage Pending Emails
Select an email to preview it. Right-click to edit, delete, or move it to drafts. To force a send, click “Send All” in the toolbar if available.
Mac Outlook sometimes hides the outbox when you have no pending messages. If you see it grayed out, there are no emails waiting.
How To View Outbox In Outlook App On Iphone
The iPhone Outlook app keeps the outbox tucked away. Here’s how to access it on iOS.
Step 1: Open The Outlook App
Tap the Outlook icon on your iPhone. The main screen shows your inbox by default. Look at the top-left corner for the menu icon (three horizontal lines).
Step 2: Tap The Menu Icon
Tap the three lines to open the folder list. Scroll down until you see “Outbox.” It appears under “Folders” or near the bottom of the list.
Step 3: Check Unsent Emails
Tap “Outbox” to view messages that haven’t sent. You can tap any email to open it. From here, you can edit the subject, body, or recipients. To delete it, swipe left and tap the trash icon.
If the outbox is missing, make sure you’re connected to the internet. The app may hide it when all messages are sent successfully.
How To View Outbox In Outlook App On Android
Android users follow a similar process to iPhone. The steps are straightforward.
Step 1: Launch Outlook On Android
Open the Outlook app from your app drawer. The inbox appears first. Tap the hamburger menu (three lines) in the top-left corner.
Step 2: Scroll To Outbox
In the menu, scroll down past your accounts. You’ll see “Outbox” listed under “Folders.” Tap it to view pending messages.
Step 3: Take Action On Emails
Tap any email to open it. You can edit, delete, or resend it. For stuck messages, check your data connection or reduce attachment sizes.
Android Outlook sometimes syncs slowly. If you just sent an email, it might appear in the outbox briefly before moving to “Sent Items.”
Common Reasons Emails Get Stuck In Outbox
Understanding why emails stay in the outbox helps you prevent future issues. Here are the most common causes.
- Poor internet connection: Outlook needs a stable network to send.
- Large attachments: Files over 20 MB often get stuck.
- Server problems: Your email provider may be down.
- Incorrect settings: SMTP or port settings can block sending.
- Outdated app: Old versions have bugs that delay sending.
Check these factors first if your outbox keeps filling up. Fixing them usually clears the queue.
How To Force Send Emails From Outbox
Sometimes you need to push emails out immediately. Here are methods for different devices.
On Windows Desktop
Go to the “Send/Receive” tab and click “Send All.” This forces Outlook to attempt sending every queued message. If it fails, check your account settings.
On Mac Desktop
Click “Send All” in the toolbar. You can also go to “Message” menu and select “Send All.” If nothing happens, restart Outlook.
On Mobile Apps
Close and reopen the app. This triggers a sync. You can also toggle Airplane Mode on and off to reset the connection.
For persistent issues, remove and re-add your email account in the app.
How To Edit Or Delete Emails In Outbox
Editing a message in the outbox is simple. You don’t need to cancel it first.
Editing Steps
- Open the outbox folder.
- Double-click or tap the email.
- Make your changes to the text, subject, or attachments.
- Click “Send” again to queue it for delivery.
Deleting Steps
- Select the email in the outbox.
- Right-click (desktop) or swipe (mobile) to delete.
- Confirm deletion if prompted.
- The email moves to “Deleted Items” or “Trash.”
Remember, deleting from outbox cancels the send. You can later retrieve it from the trash if needed.
How To View Outbox In Outlook App For Web
Outlook on the web (OWA) also has an outbox. Access it through your browser.
Step 1: Log Into Outlook Web
Go to outlook.com and sign in with your credentials. The interface looks similar to the desktop app.
Step 2: Find The Outbox Folder
On the left sidebar, click the arrow next to “Folders” to expand the list. Scroll to “Outbox.” It may be near the bottom.
Step 3: Manage Messages
Click on the outbox to see pending emails. You can open, edit, or delete them. The web version sends emails automatically when possible.
If you don’t see the outbox, click “More” at the bottom of the folder list. It might be hidden there.
Troubleshooting Outbox Visibility Issues
Sometimes the outbox folder disappears entirely. Here’s how to bring it back.
Check Folder View Settings
On desktop, go to “View” and ensure “Folder Pane” is set to “Normal.” On mobile, make sure you’re not in a focused inbox mode.
Reset Outlook
Close the app completely and reopen it. This refreshes the folder structure. On Windows, you can run Outlook in safe mode by holding Ctrl while opening.
Update The App
Check for updates in your app store or Microsoft Office updates. Older versions sometimes hide folders.
If none of these work, repair your Office installation or reinstall the app.
How To Prevent Emails From Sticking In Outbox
Proactive steps reduce outbox clutter. Follow these tips.
- Use a stable Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
- Compress large attachments before sending.
- Keep your Outlook app updated.
- Configure your account settings correctly.
- Send test emails to check server connectivity.
Regularly clearing your outbox also helps. Set a reminder to check it daily.
How To View Outbox In Outlook App For Multiple Accounts
If you have several email accounts in Outlook, each has its own outbox. Here’s how to manage them.
On Desktop
Expand each account in the folder pane. Look for “Outbox” under each one. You may need to scroll to see all accounts.
On Mobile
Tap the account icon at the top of the menu. Switch between accounts to see their respective outboxes. The app shows only the active account’s outbox at a time.
Check each outbox individually to ensure no messages are stuck.
Using Search To Find Outbox Messages
You can also search for specific emails in the outbox. This helps when you have many pending messages.
On Desktop
Click the search bar at the top. Type “outbox” or part of the email subject. Outlook filters results to show matching items from the outbox.
On Mobile
Tap the search icon (magnifying glass). Enter keywords. The app searches across all folders, including the outbox.
Search is faster than scrolling through a long list.
How To View Outbox In Outlook App When Offline
Outlook stores outbox messages locally when you’re offline. You can still view and edit them.
Working Offline
Open the outbox folder as usual. Emails remain there until you reconnect. You can edit them freely. Changes sync when you go online.
Going Online
Once connected, Outlook automatically sends queued messages. If it doesn’t, click “Send/Receive” on desktop or refresh on mobile.
Offline editing is useful for drafting emails without internet access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the outbox in Outlook app?
The outbox is in the folder list on the left side of the screen. On mobile, tap the menu icon to find it under “Folders.”
Why can’t I see my outbox in Outlook?
The outbox may be hidden if no emails are pending. Check your folder view settings or expand the folder list. On web, click “More” to reveal it.
Can I delete an email from the outbox before it sends?
Yes. Open the outbox, select the email, and delete it. It moves to your trash folder.
How do I move an email from outbox to drafts?
Open the email in the outbox, then click “Save as Draft” or move it manually to the drafts folder. On mobile, edit and save without sending.
Does the outbox clear automatically?
Yes, once emails send successfully, they move to “Sent Items.” Stuck emails remain until you fix the issue or delete them.
Final Thoughts On Managing The Outbox
Knowing how to view outbox in outlook app saves you from lost emails and sending mistakes. Whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, or web, the steps are simple. Check your outbox regularly, especially after network issues.
Keep your app updated and maintain a stable connection. If problems persist, review your account settings or contact support. With these tips, you’ll never miss a stuck email again.