Fix Cannot Add a SharePoint Site to Office on iPhone or iPad
Question details
The user is unable to successfully add a SharePoint site to the Microsoft Office application on an iOS device.
- Product
- Microsoft Office iOS App
- Device & OS
- iOS (iPhone/iPad)
- Scenario
- Attempting to connect to or add a new SharePoint site within the Microsoft Office mobile app on an Apple device.
- Observed behavior
- The Office application remains stuck on the 'Connecting' screen and then unexpectedly closes the Add SharePoint Site process without adding the site or showing any specific error message.
Ensure that your iOS device has a stable internet connection and back up any unsaved local documents in your Office app before proceeding with troubleshooting steps.
Reset the Office App via iOS Settings
Use this solution to clear corrupted cache and application data that might be causing the SharePoint connection to abruptly close.
Corrupted temporary data or cached login credentials frequently prevent the Office app from establishing a successful connection with SharePoint servers. Resetting the app via iOS settings forces a clean start for the authentication process.
Navigate to the home screen of your iPhone or iPad and tap on the 'Settings' application.
Scroll down through your list of installed apps and tap on the 'Office' app.
Tap on 'Reset Office'. Toggle the options to clear app data and delete login credentials.
Force close the Office app if it was open in the background, relaunch it, sign back into your Microsoft account, and try adding the SharePoint site again.
Switch to a Different Network Connection
Network-specific restrictions or unstable connections may block SharePoint traffic.
Update iOS and the Office Application
Ensure your device software and Office app are completely up to date to rule out known software bugs.
Experience a Seamless Mobile Office with WPS Office
If Microsoft Office continues to experience connectivity issues on your iPhone or iPad, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, free, and lightweight alternative that easily handles Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files directly on your mobile device.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Search for WPS Office in the Apple App Store and tap 'Get' to install it on your iOS device.
- 2. Open Your Files: Launch the app and use the file browser to open your existing documents.
- 3. Edit Seamlessly: Start editing your Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files immediately with high compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Office app close while connecting to SharePoint on my iPad?
This typically occurs due to corrupted temporary app data, an outdated app version, or network restrictions that interrupt the authentication handshake between the app and SharePoint servers.
Will resetting the Office app from iOS Settings delete my saved files?
No. Resetting the Office app clears your login credentials and temporary cached data, but it does not delete documents that are physically saved to your local device storage. However, it is always a best practice to back up important files.
What should I do if the SharePoint site still won't add after a reset?
If resetting the app and changing networks does not work, verify that your account has the correct permissions to access the SharePoint site. If the issue persists, you may need to contact Microsoft Support with your site URL, network details, and app version.
