Where To Find Outbox In Outlook App

In the Outlook app, the outbox is located within the folder list, often below the sent items folder. If you are wondering where to find outbox in outlook app, you are not alone—many users struggle to locate this folder when an email gets stuck. This guide walks you through every step, whether you use Outlook on Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android.

The outbox holds emails that are queued for sending but haven’t gone through yet. Knowing its location helps you fix delivery issues and manage drafts. Let’s get straight to the point.

First, understand that the outbox is not always visible by default. It appears only when you have an email waiting to send or when the app is offline. Here is how to locate it on different platforms.

On Windows Desktop

Open the Outlook app on your Windows computer.
Look at the left sidebar—this is the folder pane.
Scroll down below your inbox and sent items folders.
You should see a folder labeled “Outbox.” If not, click the arrow next to “Sent Items” to expand the list.
If the outbox is still missing, check the “Send/Receive” tab at the top. Click “Work Offline” to ensure you are online.

On Mac

Launch Outlook for Mac.
In the left navigation panel, click the small arrow next to “On My Computer” or your email account.
Expand the folder list by clicking the triangle icon.
Look for “Outbox” under “Sent Items.” It may appear only when an email is pending.
If you don’t see it, go to the “View” menu and select “Folder Pane” to show all folders.

On IOS (IPhone/iPad)

Open the Outlook mobile app on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap the mailbox icon at the top left corner to open the folder list.
Swipe down to reveal all folders under your account.
Look for “Outbox” near the bottom of the list, often right above “Drafts.”
If it’s hidden, pull down the folder list to refresh and show pending items.

On Android

Open the Outlook app on your Android device.
Tap the three-line menu icon at the top left.
Scroll through the folder list until you see “Outbox.”
It usually appears under “Sent Items” or “Drafts.”
If not visible, tap “More Folders” at the bottom of the list to expand.

Common Reasons The Outbox Is Missing

Sometimes the outbox folder simply does not show up. This can be confusing, but it is usually normal. Here are the most common reasons:

No pending emails: The outbox only appears when you have an email queued for sending.
Offline mode: If Outlook is working offline, the outbox may hide until you reconnect.
App version: Older versions of Outlook might display folders differently.
Account type: Some IMAP or POP accounts handle outbox differently than Exchange accounts.
Folder pane collapsed: You may need to expand the folder pane manually.

How To Force The Outbox To Appear

If you still cannot find it, try these quick fixes:

Send a test email to yourself. The outbox should pop up immediately.
Switch to online mode by clicking “Send/Receive” and unchecking “Work Offline.”
Restart the Outlook app completely.
Update the app to the latest version from your app store.

What To Do When An Email Is Stuck In Outbox

Finding the outbox is only half the battle. If an email sits there for too long, it won’t send. Here is how to fix it step by step.

Check Your Internet Connection

A weak or lost connection is the top reason emails get stuck. Make sure your Wi-Fi or mobile data is active. Try opening a website in your browser to confirm.

Verify The Recipient Address

An invalid email address can block delivery. Double-check the recipient’s email for typos. If it’s wrong, edit the email and try again.

Clear The Outbox Manually

Open the outbox folder.
Select the stuck email by clicking or tapping it.
Delete it from the outbox.
Go to your “Drafts” folder, find the email, and resend it.

Disable And Re-enable The Account

Sometimes the account itself has a glitch. Go to your account settings, remove the account, then add it back. This forces a fresh connection.

Use The Send/Receive Button

In Outlook for Windows, click the “Send/Receive All Folders” button. This manually triggers the sending process. On mobile, pull down to refresh.

Outbox Vs. Drafts Vs. Sent Items

Many people confuse these three folders. Here is a simple breakdown:

Outbox: Holds emails waiting to be sent. They are queued but not yet delivered.
Drafts: Stores emails you started but haven’t finished. They are saved but not ready to send.
Sent Items: Contains emails that have been successfully delivered.

If you see an email in the outbox, it means the send command was given, but something blocked it. If it’s in drafts, you simply haven’t hit send yet.

How To Move An Email From Outbox To Drafts

Sometimes you want to edit an email stuck in the outbox. You cannot edit it directly there. Follow these steps:

Open the outbox folder.
Select the email and delete it.
Go to your “Deleted Items” folder and recover it if needed.
Open the email and save it as a draft.
Make your changes and send it again.

Outbox Not Sending On Outlook Mobile

Mobile users often face this issue. Here are specific fixes for iOS and Android.

For IOS

Close the app completely and reopen it.
Toggle airplane mode on and off to reset the network.
Check if the app has permission to use cellular data in Settings.
Reinstall the Outlook app if nothing works.

For Android

Clear the app cache from your phone’s settings.
Make sure battery saver mode is off—it can block background sync.
Update the app from Google Play Store.
Switch to a different Wi-Fi network to test.

Advanced Troubleshooting For Windows Outlook

If the outbox keeps causing problems, try these deeper fixes.

Repair The Outlook Data File

Close Outlook completely.
Open the “Run” dialog (Windows key + R).
Type “scanpst.exe” and press Enter.
Locate your PST or OST file and run the repair tool.
Restart Outlook and check the outbox.

Disable Add-ins

Third-party add-ins can interfere with sending. Go to File > Options > Add-ins. Disable all non-Microsoft add-ins and restart.

Create A New Profile

Corrupted profiles cause many outbox issues. Go to Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles. Create a new profile and set it as default.

How To Prevent Emails From Getting Stuck In Outbox

Prevention is easier than cure. Follow these tips to keep your outbox empty.

Always stay connected to a stable internet connection before sending.
Keep your Outlook app updated to the latest version.
Reduce the size of attachments—large files take longer to send.
Use the “Send Later” feature sparingly, as it can cause delays.
Regularly clear your outbox of old pending emails.

Understanding The Outbox On Exchange Accounts

If you use a corporate Exchange account, the outbox behaves slightly differently. It syncs with the server, so emails may appear in the outbox even after sending. This is normal. They usually disappear within seconds.

Server-Side Queuing

Exchange servers hold emails in a queue before delivery. If your outbox shows an email for a long time, contact your IT administrator. There may be a server issue.

Rules And Policies

Company policies can block certain emails. Check with your IT team if you suspect this is the case.

Outbox On Outlook Web App (OWA)

The web version of Outlook does not have a visible outbox folder. Emails are sent instantly or saved as drafts. If an email fails to send, you get an error message immediately. There is no queue to check.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Can’t I See The Outbox In My Outlook App?

The outbox only appears when you have an email waiting to send. If you don’t see it, try sending a test email. If it still doesn’t show, check your folder pane settings or update the app.

How Do I Access The Outbox On Outlook For Mac?

On Mac, expand the folder list by clicking the triangle next to your account name. The outbox is usually under “Sent Items.” It may be hidden if no emails are pending.

What Is The Difference Between Outbox And Drafts In Outlook?

Drafts hold unsent emails you are still editing. Outbox holds emails you have sent but are waiting to be delivered. They are two different stages of the sending process.

Can I Delete An Email From The Outbox?

Yes, you can delete it. Open the outbox folder, select the email, and delete it. The email will move to your “Deleted Items” folder. You can then recover it if needed.

Why Is My Email Stuck In The Outbox On My IPhone?

Common reasons include poor internet connection, large attachments, or app glitches. Try closing the app, toggling airplane mode, or reinstalling Outlook. If the issue persists, check your email account settings.

Final Thoughts On The Outbox

Finding the outbox in the Outlook app is straightforward once you know where to look. It hides by default but appears when needed. Whether you use Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android, the steps are similar. If an email gets stuck, don’t panic—follow the troubleshooting steps above. Keep your app updated and your connection stable, and you will rarely face outbox issues. Remember, the outbox is your friend—it holds your emails safely until they reach their destination.