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Fix Outlook Mobile Deleting Hotmail Emails on All Devices
Question details
The user wants to know why deleting an email from the Outlook Mobile app on an iPhone also deletes it from their Hotmail account on the web and desktop, and how to prevent this.
- Product
- Outlook Mobile / Hotmail
- Device & OS
- iOS (iPhone)
- Scenario
- Deleting emails from a mobile device to clear the mobile inbox, with the expectation that the emails will remain accessible on a computer or web browser.
- Observed behavior
- Emails deleted on the Outlook Mobile app are permanently removed from the Hotmail mail server and subsequently disappear from all other synchronized devices.
Before attempting to change your sync settings, check your 'Deleted Items' or 'Trash' folder in Outlook to ensure you can recover any accidentally deleted emails.
Understand Exchange Sync and Recover Deleted Items
Outlook Mobile uses Exchange synchronization, meaning actions on your phone mirror the server. Use the Deleted Items folder to recover emails.
By default, Outlook Mobile connects to Hotmail using the Microsoft Exchange protocol. This is a two-way sync system designed to keep your mailbox identical across all devices. Consequently, if you delete an email on your iPhone, the app instructs the server to delete it everywhere to maintain an organized inbox.
Outlook Mobile does not offer a 'Leave messages on server' option for Exchange or IMAP accounts. If you accidentally deleted an important email, you can easily restore it from your Deleted Items folder.
Launch the Outlook app on your iPhone and tap your profile icon or the menu in the top left corner.
Select the 'Deleted Items' or 'Trash' folder from the folder list for your Hotmail account.
Find the deleted email, tap to open it, tap the three dots (more options) menu, and select 'Move to Folder' to send it back to your Inbox.
Use the Archive Feature Instead of Deleting
Since deletions sync across all devices, archiving emails is the best workaround to clean your mobile inbox without losing the emails on your computer.
Discover WPS Office for Your Document and Productivity Needs
While resolving your email synchronization preferences, you may also need a lightweight and powerful suite to open document attachments. WPS Office is a fantastic free alternative to Microsoft Office, offering an all-in-one solution for creating, editing, and managing your files.
- 1. Download the software: Navigate to the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the straightforward on-screen instructions.
- 3. Sign in and sync: Launch the application and sign in to access cloud storage and seamlessly sync documents across your mobile device and PC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't Outlook Mobile have a 'leave on server' setting?
Outlook Mobile uses Exchange and IMAP protocols for real-time, two-way synchronization. The 'leave on server' setting is a legacy feature only available for POP3 protocols, which are not standard for the Outlook Mobile app.
Can I set up my Hotmail as a POP3 account on my iPhone to prevent syncing?
You cannot easily do this within the official Outlook Mobile app, as it forces modern Exchange setups for Microsoft accounts. You would have to use the default iOS Apple Mail app and manually configure POP3 server settings, though this is generally discouraged due to loss of features like calendar sync.
How can I remove an email from my phone but keep it on my computer?
Because of two-way sync, you cannot delete an email only from your phone. The recommended method is to move the email to a specific folder, such as 'Archive' or a custom folder named 'Read on PC', removing it from your main mobile Inbox while keeping it accessible on your computer.
