'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Fix Outlook Folders Not Syncing Between Windows and iPhone or iPad
Question details
Users are unable to see newly created or reorganized Outlook email folders on their iPhone or iPad after making changes on the Windows desktop application.
- Product
- Microsoft Outlook
- Device & OS
- Windows, iOS
- Scenario
- Organizing email folders on a desktop and expecting them to automatically update on mobile devices.
- Observed behavior
- Folders reorganized or created in Outlook on Windows fail to appear correctly in the Outlook mobile app on iOS devices, even after the app is reinstalled.
Ensure both your Windows PC and your iPhone or iPad have an active internet connection, and verify that you are signed into the exact same email account on both devices using an IMAP or Exchange configuration.
Reset Your Account in the Outlook Mobile App
Resetting the account forces the Outlook mobile app to refresh its connection to the server and fetch the latest folder structure without deleting your account.
This is the most common fix for syncing issues when folders get stuck. It restarts the sync process in the background and resolves most temporary cache discrepancies.
Launch the Outlook app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap your profile icon in the top left corner, then tap the gear icon (Settings) at the bottom left.
Under the 'Email Accounts' section, tap the specific Microsoft 365 or email account that is experiencing the folder sync issue.
Scroll down and tap 'Reset Account'. The app will close and restart automatically, forcing a fresh synchronization of your folders.
Remove and Re-add the Email Account
If resetting does not work, removing the account entirely clears deeply cached data that might be preventing folders from appearing.
Verify Folder Support and Update the App
Certain local folders do not sync to mobile devices by design. Additionally, outdated app versions may contain sync bugs.
Experience Seamless Cross-Platform Productivity with WPS Office
If you frequently work across Windows PCs and iOS devices and need a reliable, lightweight alternative for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, WPS Office is an excellent choice. It provides full compatibility with Microsoft Office formats and includes built-in cloud syncing.
- 1. Download the App: Install WPS Office on your Windows PC from the official website, and get the mobile app from the iOS App Store.
- 2. Sign In to Sync: Create a free WPS account and log in on both devices to enable WPS Cloud.
- 3. Manage Files Anywhere: Create or edit documents on your PC, and access them instantly on your iPhone or iPad without manual transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some Outlook folders sync on my PC but not on my iPhone?
This usually happens if your email account is set up using the POP3 protocol, which does not support folder synchronization. To sync folders across devices, your account must be configured using IMAP or Microsoft Exchange.
Will I lose my emails if I delete and reinstall the Outlook app on iOS?
No. Because your emails are stored on the Microsoft or email provider's server, deleting the app only removes local cached data. Once you reinstall and sign back in, all your emails and synced folders will download again.
How can I manually force Outlook on my iPhone to sync?
You can force a sync by opening your Inbox and swiping down from the top of the screen until you see the loading spinner. If that fails, using the 'Reset Account' option in the app's settings is the most effective way to force a full refresh.
Are nested folders supported in the Outlook mobile app?
Yes, Outlook for iOS supports nested subfolders. However, if you have deeply nested folders or an unusually high number of folders, the app may take longer to sync them all initially.
