Send & Receive Issues

Fix Outlook on iPad Sending But Not Receiving Emails

WPS Content Manager Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is able to send outbound messages from the Outlook app on their iPad, but new incoming emails are not being received or synchronized to their inbox.

How to Fix Outlook on iPad Sending But Not Receiving Emails

Product: Microsoft Outlook
Device & OS: iPadOS (Apple iPad)
Scenario: Checking and syncing the inbox for new messages using the Outlook mobile app.
Observed behavior: Outgoing emails send successfully, but the inbox fails to display new incoming messages despite manual or automatic refreshes.

Before you start

Ensure your iPad has an active and stable internet connection, and try logging into Outlook on a web browser first to verify if the issue is tied to the mobile app or your overall account.

Solution 1Recommended

Check Web Mail Access and Account Settings

Isolate the issue by checking the web version of Outlook and verifying account-wide parameters like storage space and email rules.

If your email works on the web but not on the iPad, the issue is isolated to the mobile app synchronization. If it also fails on the web, your account may have configuration or storage restrictions.

Log into Outlook on the Web

Open Safari or any browser on your iPad, navigate to Outlook.com, and sign in to see if new emails are appearing in the web inbox.

Check Junk Folder and Rules

While on the web version, check your 'Junk Email' folder. Go to Settings > Mail > Rules to ensure no filters or forwarding rules are automatically moving or deleting incoming messages.

Verify Mailbox Storage Capacity

In web Settings, navigate to General > Storage to confirm you have not exceeded your mailbox capacity, which prevents new messages from being received.

Confirm Protocol Type

Determine whether your account connects via Exchange, IMAP, or POP, as POP downloads messages to a single device and may prevent them from showing up on your iPad.

Check Web Mail Access and Account Settings

Check for Non-Delivery Reports: If senders are receiving a bounce-back message (Non-Delivery Report) when trying to email you, ask them to share the error code to help identify the exact account restriction.

Solution 2

Update and Reset the Outlook iPad App

Fix app-specific synchronization glitches by updating the software and refreshing your account credentials.

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1. Download from the App Store: Open the App Store on your iPad, search for WPS Office, and tap 'Get' to download.
2. Open Email Attachments: Once your Outlook issue is resolved, tap on any Word, Excel, or PowerPoint email attachment and choose 'Open in WPS Office'.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my iPad say 'Cannot Get Mail' in Outlook?

This error generally points to a network connection issue or an outdated password. Check your Wi-Fi or cellular connection, and try re-entering your account password in the Outlook app settings.

How do I check my Outlook mailbox storage limit on my iPad?

The mobile app does not display storage limits directly. You must log into Outlook on the web through a browser, click the gear icon for Settings, and navigate to General > Storage to check your usage.

Will deleting the Outlook app from my iPad permanently delete my emails?

No. Your emails are safely stored on the email server (such as Exchange or IMAP). Deleting the app only removes the local sync data from your iPad; your emails will reappear once you reinstall the app and log back in.

Outlook & Email Problems