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How to Stop Microsoft 365 Mobile Feed from Showing Other Users' Files
Question details
Administrators and users want to prevent the Microsoft 365 mobile app Feed from automatically displaying documents belonging to other users within the organization.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Users are browsing their Microsoft 365 mobile app Feed and encountering files from coworkers that they did not explicitly request or know they had access to.
- Observed behavior
- The Microsoft 365 mobile app uses discovery features like Delve and Item Insights to surface relevant documents across the organization, causing privacy and document visibility concerns.
You will need Microsoft 365 global administrator credentials to modify organization-wide settings for Search & Intelligence and Delve.
Disable Item Insights and Delve in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center
Turning off document discovery features at the administrative level is the most effective way to stop the mobile feed from surfacing unrequested files.
The Microsoft 365 feed relies on Item Insights and Delve to predict and display content that might be relevant to users. Disabling these configurations stops the ecosystem from generating these automated recommendations.
Navigate to the Microsoft 365 admin center and log in using your administrator credentials.
In the left-hand navigation menu, go to Settings, and then select Search & Intelligence.
Click on the Configurations tab, locate Item Insights, and change the settings to disable it for the entire organization or specific user groups.
If the feed still shows unwanted documents, locate the Delve settings within the admin center and disable it to fully turn off document recommendations in the mobile Feed.
Audit SharePoint and OneDrive Sharing Permissions
Ensure that sensitive files are not accidentally shared with everyone in the organization, which allows them to be picked up by the discovery feed.
Switch to WPS Office for a Streamlined, Private Experience
If managing complex organizational settings and intrusive document discovery feeds in Microsoft 365 is causing privacy concerns for your team, consider using WPS Office. It provides a secure, lightweight workspace for managing your files locally and in the cloud without exposing user documents in automated feeds.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer for your operating system.
- 2. Install and Launch: Follow the on-screen instructions to install the suite, which only takes a few minutes due to its lightweight size.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Open your existing Microsoft Office files directly in WPS Office with seamless formatting preservation and absolute privacy control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Microsoft 365 mobile app show files I haven't explicitly opened?
Microsoft 365 uses AI-driven discovery features like Delve and Item Insights. These tools analyze your network and collaboration patterns to surface documents you have permission to view, even if they weren't sent directly to you.
Will disabling Delve delete any of my organization's files?
No. Disabling Delve or Item Insights only stops the system from actively recommending documents in the Feed. All files remain securely stored in their original SharePoint or OneDrive locations.
How long does it take for the mobile feed to clear after disabling Item Insights?
After modifying Search & Intelligence or Delve settings in the Microsoft 365 admin center, it can take up to 24-48 hours for the changes to fully propagate across all mobile apps and clear the Feed.
Does hiding a file in Delve restrict other users from finding it via search?
No. Hiding documents from the feed does not change their underlying permissions. If a file is shared with the whole organization, users can still find it by manually searching for it in SharePoint or Microsoft 365 search.
