Microsoft Outlook for iPad: Minimize email drafts and return to them later

What and why

We're introducing a new Outlook for iPad capability that allows users to compose email in a new window and minimize an in-progress draft so they can return to it later. This improvement helps users multitask more efficiently while working in Outlook on iPad.

Rollout schedule

• General Availability (Worldwide): Beginning in mid-September 2026 and expected to complete by mid-October 2026

Impact on your organization

Who is affected

• Users of Outlook for iPad

Platforms and services

• Outlook for iOS on iPad

What will happen

The experience depends on the user's iPadOS multitasking configuration.

Users with Windowed Apps enabled (Settings > Multitasking & Gestures)

• Users can compose emails in a separate window.
• The iPadOS system-provided minimize control can be used to minimize an email draft.

Users with Full Screen Apps enabled (Settings > Multitasking & Gestures)

• Users can minimize their in-progress draft to the background.
• Users can restore the same draft through the Hidden Windows banner or Show All Windows.

Minimizing a draft does not change how drafts are saved in the Drafts folder.

Action required and recommendations

No administrative action is required.

We recommend informing your help desk and support teams that the experience for compose windowing and returning to in-progress drafts varies based on users' iPadOS multitasking settings.

Compliance considerations

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.